Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak spoke with members of the media (including John Denton of MLB.com) on Monday at the GM meetings to discuss the offseason ahead. He addressed the team’s budget for 2024 and touched on how he plans to revamp the starting rotation. The executive also fielded questions about a coaching role for Yadier Molina, as well as rumors concerning a potential front office job for former Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom.
After finishing the 2023 season with a 71-91 record, good for last place in the NL Central, there is no denying that the Cardinals need to spend in free agency if they hope to contend in 2024. That doesn’t mean the team is going to spend recklessly, however, as Mozeliak said they plan to be “prudent” with their expenditures. More specifically, he explained that the Cardinals will likely operate with a similar payroll next season as they planned to run this past year before selling off several veterans at the trade deadline. That means they have about $44MM to work with this winter (per Denton), although one would think they’d be willing to go slightly above that number for the right player. After all, sometimes the prudent move is to spend a little bit extra to land the best free agent targets.
The Cardinals have made it clear that starting pitching is their top priority, and for good reason. Their starters finished with the third-worst ERA and the second-lowest strikeout rate in the National League last season, and their numbers only got worse after the rotation lost Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery at the trade deadline.
In August, Mozeliak said he planned to bring in three new starters this offseason. He essentially repeated that sentiment on Monday, although he specified that he’s looking for two full-time starters, plus “someone that can maybe split roles.” The Cardinals already have veterans Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz penciled into the rotation for 2024. They also have several talented young arms waiting in the wings, including former first-round picks Zack Thompson and Matthew Liberatore, trade deadline acquisition Drew Rom, and top prospects Gordon Graceffo and Michael McGreevy. None of those pitchers is quite ready to be trusted with an Opening Day job on the starting staff, but Mozeliak is hoping that at least a few of them will pitch “meaningful” big league innings in 2024.
There is rarely such thing as too much pitching depth, but still, if the Cardinals were to add three bona fide starters this winter, they could end up with a logjam in the rotation. That would mean limited opportunities for their young arms, and the Cardinals aren’t going to mortgage the future of the rotation for short-term gains in 2024.
With that in mind, it’s understandable why Mozeliak is interested in adding a hybrid starter/reliever who could pitch in the rotation if need be but could easily step aside if a more promising pitcher forces the issue. Nick Martinez is the most intriguing arm who fits that description, while other options on the open market include Michael Lorenzen, Sean Manaea, Jakob Junis, and Alex Wood.
In terms of additions beyond the roster, Mozeliak also answered questions regarding Yadier Molina, the beloved former Cardinal who is expected to join the coaching staff in 2024, and Chaim Bloom, the former Red Sox executive who has been connected to the Cardinals in recent days. Mozeliak could not offer much of an update on Molina, although he confirmed that the two sides remain engaged in conversations about the nine-time Gold Glove winner’s role next season. He is “hopeful” Molina will join the organization in some capacity.
As for Bloom, Mozeliak mostly avoided the question, although he did reveal that he has had “some discussions” with individuals from “outside the organization” about potentially coming on as an advisor to the front office. The long-time Cardinals executive explained that he wants to have “someone from the outside look at the inside.” Mozeliak has been the team’s chief baseball decision-maker since 2007, so it certainly makes sense that he’s seeking a fresh perspective from someone new to the organization.
I thought DeWitt said he was uping payroll and just 3 weeks later mozeliak is now walking back that statement. Been a cards fan for 40 years, but this leadership group is a bunch of car salesman. Say anything to get 3 mil through the gates. I remember when cards baseball was fun. Total dumpster fire now.
That’s not what it says lol. They’re saying they’ll raise payroll to where they planned to last year, but they sold instead and went way below their payroll target. $45million is a good amount of money to spend, and that’s not including potential cuts that could save another $15m
If 2023 payroll equals 2024 then they aren’t raising anything. They are only matching what they spent before. I feel like you are saying the exact same thing as the original poster but think it’s a good thing.
Again, they’re talking about raising payroll to where they *planned* to raise it in 2023, so like around $235 million for the year-end 40 man roster, where as last year it was at $192 million at the end of the year. In other words, that’s about $45 million they plan on spending this offseason, not counting potential cuts. Like, trading O’Neill and Hudson could save around $10 million alone. With $55 million to spend, they could afford Nola, Imanaga, a swingman, and a couple good relievers.
“Cardinals will likely operate with a similar payroll next season as they planned to run this past year” … meaning back up to what they envisioned having in 2024, had they not been sellers.
Since they WERE sellers though, Cards currently have a payroll of $143M-ish, so adding 44 more gets them to $187M. None of that actually suggests going up well over $200M, like you think. Be ready for disappointment. AT BEST, they’ll get back to around 190, and trade for rentals at the deadline if they think it will get them over the hump.
$235M?
Where in the hell did you get that figure?
That would be $60M more than they’ve ever spent.
The clubs total payroll was $176M for 2022.
That’s year end luxury tax payroll vs opening day payroll. Last year, their year end payroll was $192 million
They “planned” to have a higher payroll but then sold. They are “planning” to have a higher payroll this year. Again, it’s just “planning” until they actually do it. Until i see it, I dont believe it. They have given us zero reason to believe them. With their current trends they will go into the season with the around the same payroll as they started with last year. They will say they are keeping money to add at the deadline. Then the deadline comes and they sell again or “dont” find the right fit.
I think you’re going to be proven wrong, but ok
Jabronie, that’s how I read it, too, but the way this story was written doesn’t do a very good job of making that clear, unfortunately.
No it isn’t my money but for the life of me I will never understand why the Cards brass can’t up the payroll. The fans deserve it, the organization has earned it, as do the players. I neither expect nor suggest they exceed the penalty cap. But bumping up next to it is what they owe this franchise.
They’re cheap, and they don’t want to take chances to be great. Only looking to advance their profits.
I think the only way That Cardinals ownership changes the way they operate is to stay home and not fill the stadium, hit them in the wallet that.s apparently all they care about.
You are giving car salesman a bad name by comparing them to the Cardinals front office.
Just wait until they add Bloom to the front office. He’s all yours…
Signed,
A Red Sox Fan
This is very disappointing but I guess we shouldn’t be surprised.
What’s disappointing about this? $45 million is a pretty nice sum to work with this offseason
45m doesn’t go as far as you think. I think they reshape the roster a free up some more money.
it’s not a lot considering they need 3 starting pitchers including an ace. Last I checked, ace pitchers are going for around $30 mil per year. That’s around what Nola will get.
Yeah but you can structure contracts to start off a bit smaller. Teams do it all the time.
You’ll sign Manaea for 3 years and you’ll be happy
Cardinals fans don’t know how to read apparently lol. Mozeliak’s wording is weird, but none of you are reading it correctly. The important thing is that they have around $45 million to spend this offseason, give or take. Let’s assume O’Neill and Hudson are traded, that’s another $10 million. $55 million is enough to meet the team’s needs. For example, that would probably enough for Nola, Imanaga, a swignman, and two good relievers, and still have room for in-season trades.
You’re also making assumptions that haven’t happened yet. They haven’t spent a dime so far. Just because Mo says he’s going to do something, doesn’t mean he will.
The other Cardinals fans read just fine. They are just reading between the lines. When the season was spiraling, attendance was tanking, and fans were calling for Mo’s head, he made bold bold statements about increasing financial commitments and re-investing in the pitching staff.
Now the talk is a little less bold. Mo is 100% politician. He can move from one side of an issue to the complete opposite side of the same issue in the course of 3 or 4 public statements. Each statement jus slightly different than the last until you have circled 180 degrees. Every Cardinals fan knows it’s coming.
Nothing is going to change until DeWitt swings the axe. That is what Mo said today. No matter how you read it.
Not to mention, as far as we know, DeWitt loves having Mo as a buffer so the public blames his lack of spending on an underling.
I think you’re being histrionic, which I’ve come to expect from Cardinals fans.
Glad you expect that. I cannot imagine you ARE a Cardinals fan if you sincerely think ownership / front office will get anywhere near $235M in payroll. Guaranteed, plain and simple, it will not. Would love to be wrong, but I’m not.
How’s that for histrionic?
The best thing that will happen this offseason was Craig Counsell’s contract with the Cubs. It is the first shot fired for managers in the power struggle with front offices. I think owners are becoming frustrated with failed promises from Ivey League computer guys.
Mo didn’t want to talk about Yadi because he sees the writing on the wall. If DeWitt forces Mo to hire Yadi, the end is near for Mo and Co.
The Chaim Bloom rumors never made sense to me. If the Cardinals are seeking outside advisors, it is not Mo’s idea. He doesn’t like anyone’s opinion but his own. If DeWitt is looking outside, it’s another sign of impending regime change.
Mo and his Muppet Marmol need to go, Cardinal ownership will not bring Molina back because that would put Mamrol on the hot seat.
Dude, there is an impending regime change. Mozeliak is retiring after his current 3-year deal expires… Lol
You’re the first I’ve seen suggest the Molina stuff is coming from DeWitt as pressure on Mo’s office. Interesting thought, and I hope it’s true.
Does anyone have a link on these rumors that Molina wants to coach? Not say he doesn’t want to and if they are true as a cards fan I would love it as long they will manage “his way” and not the way the front office wants him to. I’m just having a hard time believing he wants to get into coaching/managing so soon after retiring, and his other interests back home.
You’re basing almost all of this on pure speculation
Mo will bargain bin shop for pitchers he’s like a coupon clip lady
Maybe… perhaps next year they will spend what they say they’re going to spend this year?
BTW Mo – here is the definition of ‘prudent’.
pru·dent
/ˈpro͞odnt/
adjective
acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
Well Cardinal fans I hope i am wrong, but get ready for another off season of Mo.s fairy tales. It sounds like the Cards will say that we are going to pursue pitching help, but do nothing, they said the payroll was going to increase now its gonna stay the same, what the !
I’ll believe the Molina tale when I see him in the dugout, another off season of misleading the fans promise but not deliver a thing. Hang your hat on Libby as a starter, been there done that he stinks.
I can see Mo bringing back Wacha thinking it will appease the fans and buy favor. That said, Wacha is 25-6 the last 2 seasons… hmmm….
They will end up missing on all the good starting pitchers and wind up over paying for a #4/#5.
Ahh, Mo’s patented move! Overpaying for B-tier talent.
Potentially smart move on Bloom’s part. Learn the internal workings of the Cards, perhaps setting himself up to replace Mozeliak. That’s why Mozeliak didn’t want to discuss it too much. This hire was approved by ownership.
Lord – I agree it would be a good move for Bloom, it gives him the opportunity to learn from an experienced POBO … something he wasn’t provided while in Boston.
Oh good lord, you people are insane
Great idea Mo! Bring in an outside opinion from a smarter guy who will hopefully replace you. It’s obviously not his idea. Hope it’s DeWitt’s. The Mo era needs to end. Let’s not forget he would be convincing these pitchers to join a last place team in disarray. It’s going to take some serious overpaying to do that. Most players want to WIN when they choose a new team. They don’t choose a team based on tradition. With Mo leading this off-season rebuild…..let’s face it we are screwed.
The team that just won the World Series won 68 games last year, and 60 games in 2021. That team convinced super stars to join the organization on deals that weren’t overpays (according to the market). Thankfully, it’s not black-and-white like you’re imagining.
Mo is our league .100 hitter. Every 2 years he hits a grand slam so we keep him around thinking things have got to get better. His catchphrase is “we’re going to sit on our hands and see what that looks like”. And while we wait, our chances at great F/A s and trades often pass us by.
That’s just mean – he’s a solid Mendoza hitter
Mozeliak should avoid both the question and reality of Chaim Bloom. Don’t do it, Cardinals – focus on Yadi.
Reds fan here…it but be really nice to follow a team that actually has a major league payroll.
Well said. Some spoiled beetches here.
Am I the only one who sees Bloom as the other executive to take a perennial contender to non contender status?
Yes.
He started off his tenure by trading Mookie Betts, a move mandated by ownership. That is what took us from perennial contenders to afterthoughts.
It’ll likely be closer to $50 million if O”Neill and Hudson are traded
Will the Cardinals not pay the players received in those hypothetical trades for Hudson and O’Neill?