Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak spoke to reporters at the club’s Winter Warm-up fan event today about a variety of topics, including the future of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in St. Louis. Beyond those discussions, Mozeliak also addressed his own future as the head of the club’s baseball operations department as noted by Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat.
When asked if he still intended to step back from running baseball operations in St. Louis by the end of his current contract with the club in 2025 as he indicated last winter, Mozeliak stood by those previous comments. “I would imagine that’s going to stay pretty true,” he told Jones and other reporters. “I don’t want to sit up here on January 13 and retire, but I think having a succession plan and uncoupling some of the things I’ve been involved in at such a high level…it’s probably reasonable to think that having a different voice at some point would make a lot of sense.”
As Jones notes, the comments from Mozeliak serve to highlight the club’s recent hiring of former Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom in an advisory role. While the hire was only announced earlier this week, Mozeliak indicated today that Bloom has been advising the several months and that the club’s acquisitions this offseason have been “bounce(d) off” the club’s new hire. Mozeliak went as far as to note that Bloom has factored into discussions with chairman Bill DeWitt III regarding the future of the baseball operations department following Mozeliak’s eventual move away from leading the club, though he went on to note GM Mike Girsch and scouting director Randy Flores as other potential candidates.
Mozeliak also discussed the club’s payroll in a way that seemingly leaves the door more widely open to the club making additional moves this winter than previously thought. Though DeWitt indicated recently that the club was close to reaching the limits of its budget, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch points out that Mozeliak left the door open to further roster additions with comments to reporters earlier today.
“The budget question always comes up. Payroll question. It’s probably not as black and white as people would like to think it is,” Mozeliak said (as relayed by Frederickson), “Depending on what the type of investment might look like, it’s something we can always take to ownership if we feel like it’s important or a good value. But do I think there is some room in the payroll if we needed to? Yes.”
The comments largely track with those Mozeliak made early in the offseason, stating that the club needed to add “at least two” high-leverage relief arms to its bullpen mix this offseason. While the addition of veteran right-hander Andrew Kittredge surely accounts for one of those additions, the club’s other bullpen additions have been less impactful. Right-handers Nick Robertson, Wilking Rodriguez, Riley O’Brien and Ryan Fernandez all add depth to the St. Louis bullpen, the quartet has just 26 2/3 innings of combined big league experience. Plenty of quality bullpen arms who could bolster the Cardinals’ late-inning mix remain, though they’ve previously been connected to right-hander Phil Maton and left-hander Matt Moore.
In addition to those comments, Mozeliak provided updates on a trio of injured position players, noting (per Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch) that shortstop Tommy Edman is recovering well from the wrist surgery he underwent back in October while also adding that both outfielder Dylan Carlson and utilityman Brendan Donovan are expected to be ready for Spring Training next month. Carlson underwent ankle surgery back in September, while Donovan underwent surgery on his elbow on August 2.
The healthy return of that trio of players figures to be crucial for the Cardinals as they look to rebound from a 71-91 record that saw them finish last in the NL Central last season. Edman provides the club with valuable versatility thanks to his ability to capably handle both shortstop and center field on an everyday basis, while Donovan’s .365 on-base percentage in 95 games last year trailed only Lars Nootbaar’s .367 figure among qualified Cardinals. Carlson, meanwhile, struggled badly in 2023 but could join Nootbaar and Jordan Walker as one of the club’s regular outfielders entering 2024 as he looks to recapture the form he flashed in 2021, when hit .266/.343/.437 in 619 trips to the plate while roving between all three outfield spots.
What a smug d-bag. I’d say there’s a solid chance he doesn’t get to orchestrate his own departure. If they’re not competitive again this season, he’s done. He has effectively consolidated his power to the point that there is no one else left to blame.
As far as payroll goes, I’m surprised BenFred would be fooled by the same old vague statements Mo always uses when asked. Mo is too much of a politician to get backed into a corner, especially on something like the budget.
If he wants to leave after 2025 I am fine with that and with him going out on his own terms. Last year sucked but in 2022 the team won 93 games and looked like a contender. Mozeliak has flaws, mainly that he can’t hire a competent manager with experience, but he’s earned the right to go out like this.
Wrong, MO has set this team up for mediocrity. The manager, the deals, and the lack of pitching prospects coming through the pipeline. We have none that are going to be great. San Fran has tons of pitching, young pitching and they need lots of offensive players. If MO was smart he’d be linking up to get a couple of those young kids.
I don’t necessarily blame MO. He can’t predict Flaherty and Matz falling off a cliff. If those two pitch to expectations or even close the Cardinals look completely different. Wasn’t long ago we couldn’t hit now we can’t pitch. That being said I had hopes beyond one solid signing of gray but what kind of upside do Lynn and Gibson have at their age? I think it’s a simple matter of payroll. I’m sure Mo would love a snell or Montgomery but could only spend enough for Gray and back end rotation guys. Cardinals needing hitting now that’s been corrected its left a payroll gap to fix a pitching staff that’s since faltered. If the Cardinals secure a post season birth they’ll need Milolas, Matz, and Gray to be really good. Biggest hope is the division
100%. They should’ve fired him last year. Major league roster is poorly constructed and expensive for how mediocre they are. Development pipeline is in shambles, definitely 2nd tier. Devil magic died under this dudes leadership.
Exactly Mo has stayed to long and that is because DeWiitless and son lack good baseball sense. Team thinks Edman should be in center tells me Marmol is also a fool. Wait for them to be 10under 500 June first and then see if the have any balls to fire their manager and pitching coach.
I wouldn’t say they lack good baseball sense. They understand it’s a business and Mo has been making them money, while putting reasonably competitive teams together. While frustrating for fans, Mo has been a great asset for the business. I’m not entirely sure people should be rooting for his departure. Things can certainly be much worse.
FrontOfficeStan —- I’ll give you that. Mozeliak has made money for the DeWitt’s and over the past Decade — in his mind — that is his main focus. His title should be the Cardinals Franchise’s Budgetary Official. Of which he would do an excellent Job.
However — as President of Baseball Operations —- you have to deal with “People”. John has no “People Skills”.
Michael Girsch does — as an example. He deals with individuals and the public in a whole different manner. Positively!!
Mozeliak’s make money/save money manner of business takes the total focus off of the process of “Building toward a Championship Baseball Team”.
With over 3 million fans coming through the gates each season—- One would think — both could be done with advanced thinking instead of thinking through the rear view mirror.
If you want the true feelings of the Current Cardinals baseball fans as their feelings have progressed over the past decade—-
Read DonOsbornne’s very first post —- It’s pretty accurate!!!
Speak for yourself. Please don’t think all STL fans are ungrateful for a long run of good teams. It is frustrating to have a bad year, but let’s see how this season goes before melting down.
They could finish 0 and 162 and Mo would still have a job. DeWitt loves him.
exactly. MO is scared of making any deals because of how bad of contracts and trades he has made over the last 5 years or so. Leake, Matz, arozorena, Alcantara, firing the better manager. The best deals he has made in a whole have been bringing in Montgomery and mikolas. Oh, and getting hot garbage for the trades for all the players we traded last trade deadline. He’s brought in retread pitchers and gray who is good but 34 years old. Our other pitcher, Mikolas, is like 37. Matz is terrible, and the pitching down on the farm doesn’t sound very promising. We have tons of offensive prospects on the current roster, including down on the farm, and we could link up with San Fran for multiple of their young pitching. or even Toronto for manoah. We waited too long to part with O’Neil. MO is creating mediocrity. Sure, we will have money to spend next year, but we rarely compete in Free Agency, so what’s the point. Trade for what we need, which is pitching.
MO sucks and has left our team in shambles. We have literally no top-notch pitching on the farm, our manager is terrible, the internal front office has been bad, and we have been hiding all sorts of drama for years. We have so much offensive talent in the pipeline that we should set up a deal with San Francisco to get one of multiple of their over abundance of young pitching or even talk to Toronto about manoah. All MO is doing is bringing in retreads. We rarely compete for anyone in Free Agency, and the players there aren’t worth the money. It’s time to part with some of our offensive talent for pitching. We haven’t developed a top of the rotation pitcher since Alcantara. And all the others down on the farm supposedly have promise but they more than likely turn out to be the next bullpen guy for us. Gray was a decent signing but mikolas is older and matz sucks.
I still don’t understand how Hector Neris wanting at least $10 mil a year is too expensive to sign.
These one year contracts for relievers don’t solidify the bullpen for future seasons.
Sign Neris for 3 year $33 mil with a fourth year option. Then you have one less reliever to worry about for several years.
I agree that cost isnt that high but it’s pathetic the STL development pipeline is so bad they need expensive reinforcements like that.
vibes, that’s how I feel about the rotation, all of whom were acquired via free agency.
It is the first time in about 20 years they needed multiple FA starting pitchers. Over the long run, I would say they have developed well. There has been a lull recently, but they have some good prospects coming soon and they are making changes with Flores and Bloom to improve.
I’m optimistic now that they have Chaim Bloom. But what would help for 2024 is it they sign or trade for another legitimate reliever or two. And maybe even another starter. That would make all the difference.
Is Bloom an upgrade? I legit don’t know.
He’s not. Unless you like perennial last-place finishes.
I’m sorry for Cardinals Nation if he’s part of your succession plan. A storied franchise like yours deserves better, and, I dont think bloom learned much from his time in Boston
GASox – Superb post, I agree 100%!
These Cards fans need to realize the grass isn’t always better on the other side of the fence.
Bloom’s approach to pitching? Don’t use good draft picks on pitchers and don’t spend any money on them because you can always pluck them off the scrap heap.
Bloom’s overall approach to free agents is either sign them when they have been declining for years because they will be less expensive, or sign them when they are injured because – you guessed it – they will be less expensive.
Look at how little he got out of Paxton and Story and Mondesi despite the amount of money he gave all of them … and he KNEW they would be huge questions marks as far as when and if they’d be healthy.
I am so glad the Bloom nightmare is over, worst head of baseball ops ever.
Bloom (warts and all ) was the GM – he didn’t hold the purse strings and had to work (unlike Dodgers’ GM) with Henry’s financial structure – which basically told him to build through the draft and FA’s asking for long deals or high AAVs were untouchable. It was a reset of how Boston was to operate post DD. Now you can argue he didn’t find (m)any FA rough diamonds but in his tenure the farm went from bottom 10% to a top 5. Now if the Cardinals are wanting to “limit spending” and build through IFAs and the draft then he is a valuable asset, if you want to spend then not.
French – please list the ranked prospects bloom signed as international free agents, or, which were added through the draft not merely by tanking to last place for a high slot which isn’t a skill.
I’ll wait as the crickets play to hear the bloom guys driving the rankings
Coming in last place for years just to pick higher isnt a skill.
Neither is screwing up and not watching your CBT as you add junk players mid-season so you drop your Comp picks from end 2nd to end 4th round for multiple leaving superstars you aren’t going to sign, barely going over the limit.
He is an advisor right now. All the presumptive successor talk is a bit premature. He will be a positive as an advisor and that all he is at this point, so let’s not go overboard.
He is if he can help develop what we are lacking in developing internal talent especially pitching. Remember he came up with the Rays and most experience there.
He sucked at adding any pitching prospects in boston in 4 years. The only pitching that developed came from his predecessors efforts, drafted by prior regimes and coached in the minors by guys put in place by predecessors.
He also brought in a string of flops as ‘reclamation projects’ that didn’t work out, some for big money for what they’d done lately. And, he re-hired Cora the cheater as manager.
The only notable improvements in the farm system that drive the far from concensus improvement in farm ranking, which, some sources still have as low as #16, under bloom came from two sources – 1) by virtue of last-place finishes giving a high draft selection in 3 of 4 seasons (which is no longer a sure thing in the new cba) and 2) prospects drafted by prior regimes maturing.
Put the Red Sox in a Central division and they’re battling for first place.
2023 red sox by opponent:
AL east:
BAL 6-7
NYY 9-4
TB 2-11
TOR 7-6
Al Central:
CHW 2-4
CLE 3-3
DET 5-1
KCR 5-2
MIN 4-3
Nl Central:
CHC 2-1
CIN 1-2
MIL 2-1
PIT 0-3
StL 0-3
So, I dont think they would’ve been fighting for the lead at all. Arguably you’d think the best shot would come from being in the AL Central, but, by losing half their AL east schedule they lost 13-15 worth of results.
In the AL Central you’re not going to go 22-6 in additional games, not when their actual season record was 19-13, or in other words ever improve your season win total by the 9 wins on the season it’d take to catch MIN, especially since not all 5 teams are still there so balanced schedule means whoever you kicked out would’ve had the identical w/l result.
In the NL Central it’s even more complicated, since balanced schedule approach really reshuffle the results. But they need 14 wins to catch the brew crew, an even tougher row to hoe.
However, by trying to count in my head, Boston was 20-28 in interleague play, so, consider that in your guess as to how they’d manage shifting circuits as well.
In other words, in non-east AL record (52 games) and non interleague (48 games) the sox were 34-28 against the AL Central and West. So they would see a net loss in wins by moving to the NL (take away half their record, 17-14) which would eat into any perceived ‘bump’ you think they would see in fewer potential losses to the top AL teams.
GASox – Phenomenal post, I agree 100%!!
I would just add, a third source, trading inherited players like Vazquez and Mookie and Benni for prospects.
And a fourth source, buying prospects by taking on outrageous contracts like JBJ.
And a fifth source, all the supplemental draft picks from free agents he let leave.
And a sixth source, not signing free agents with QO’s attached to them.
gbs – Did you hear about the new stadium and surrounding development the Royals are working on?
Once that’s done, they will have a lot more revenue to work with … and you know they will use it well.
Fever – and a 7th source, insulting homegrown all star silver sluggers with lowball contract offers ruining the organization’s reputation to where top FAs refuse to sit down with your team even after you’re fired?
He is an advisor, not running the show. It seems more useful to talk about what he might do (good or bad) in his actual role with the team, rather than re-litigate his time in Boston.
Randy Flores is a big part of the teams success over the years. I would like to see him as the next leader of the team moving forward.
I still don’t know what Girsch does….
People say that, but what great players has he drafted? He was hired in 2015 and the Cardinals have basically been in a decline phase since 2013
Have a look at the Cardinals 2020 draft and tell me again that Flores isnt doing a great job
no one does. MO does everyone’s job. Girsch sits at a desk and collects a paycheck to just sit there.
Let the Mo-hatred commence!
i will not miss MO , but not sure about Bloom either, can we really believe anything MO says? he’s shown us he does not speak the truth on many fronts..Marmol needs to go as well, he is not manager material.
“Mozeliak indicated today that Bloom has been advising the several months.”
What is that supposed to mean?
Randor – It’s in the same article above, whenever Moz was contemplating a decision he bounced it off Bloom first. That’s what advisors do, offer feedback.
Read it again. What you’re suggesting is logical and correct. What is written, however, is not the same thing.”
Randor – I have to admit, when reading articles here I tend to fix sentences in my head when they are poorly written. It’s kinda like living next to train tracks, after a while you don’t even hear the trains.
Another thing they botch quite often is use of the word “only”, they insert it too early in sentences.
“While the hire was only announced earlier this week” should read “While the hire was announced only earlier this week”. The positioning can make sentences mean something entirely different.
You’re screwed.
Sorry.
In what way is the team, on paper, better than last year? Gray is at best a lateral move from Montgomery. The other pitchers they’ve signed are roster filler for a non-contending team. The offense has not been improved upon and in fact has regressed. Certain players who were viewed with a high ceiling are still here except we now know they have a very low ceiling.
Mostly addition by subtraction of Waino in the rotation, and the expectation of improvement by Walker, Nootbar and Gorman.
They should be a little better, but its not a 90-win team.
Wow, I didn’t look at it like that, thanks.
Suggesting it is complicated doesn’t solve problems. Good decisions does.
Cards have zero pitching in their minor league. That is why they are in trouble for next yr
Horse. Roby and Hence will both be top 100 prospects.
So them being in the top 100 of prospects guarantees they are going to be good pitchers? We haven’t developed a good starting pitcher since Alcantara.
Enough of the hyperbole. Response was to ‘zero pitching’ comment.
Only in your mind did anyone say that guaranteed they will be good pitchers, but dont let that stop you.
last I checked top 100 prospects doesn’t mean a pitcher is going to be good. We literally have no decent pitching on the farm. And if they do turn out to be good I’d see them in the bullpen.
If you think Roby and Hence arent ‘decent’ then you know precisely nothing about prospect evaluation
didn’t Roby pitch fot us towards the end of the year last year and wad knocked around like a redheaded step child?
Was a Fallstar in Arizona.
Go troll soneone else.
They traded for some prospects when they got rid of Monty !
yep. nothing to write home about.
yea. hot garbage.
For the Cards diehards…. Is Ryan Helsley someone that the Cardinals would consider moving at some point this season? I would assume not, but you all would know better than I, of course.
If they would consider it, what would a reasonable return for Helsley look like from the Yankees?
Thanks all – by the looks of it (and my discussion with Don Osborne) you all are just as sick of your GM and manager as we are ours. We need both our teams to return to their winning ways… I hope you all see some improvements on that front this season.
I could see a reliever being traded at the deadline but I think it would be Gallegos not Helsley. There is no replacement ready to close. The Cardinals system actually has a decent amount of pitching coming up soon but not guys who throw super hard like a Helsley or a Hicks. I know the Yankees had Gallegos at one point perhaps they want him back.
I try not to jump all over Mozeliak. He’s done a lot of good things but I won’t be sad when he moves on either.
Interesting, thanks. I am not familiar with the Cards farm system at all, so I appreciate the feedback.
Beeter for Helsley would be interesting and the Cards will trade him at the deadline if they are toast
I actually think the Cards would be glad to move Helsley. He has butted heads with management about his contract and his usage. They don’t like any kind of pushback and they view JoJo Romero as a cheaper, less difficult replacement.
I think this is his last season of team control so the return wouldn’t be huge. I wouldn’t speculate specific players, but it wouldn’t wreck the farm.
Helsley is under control for 2025 as well, this will be just his arb-2 season. Whoever did trade for him would be getting 1+ to 2 years of control, which, costs a little more depending whether at the deadline or before this season
Thanks for the assist! I should research before speaking.
If Helsley is not closing in 2025 then who is?
There isn’t anyone ready to step in for him. Nobody.
I’m not saying I think they should trade Helsley, I just saying I think they will. I like Helsley. Mo and Marmol do not.
But to your question, I’m just not sure it matters who closes. Closers are important to competitive teams. Although I think the Cardinals are bound to improve over last season, I’m not sure they are really going to be competitive enough to NEED a shut down closer.
Also, I’m of the opinion that to some degree closers can be manufactured. Everyone loves the flame throwing strikeout artist (like Helsley) closing out games. But there have been pitchers of all kinds find success in the 9th. His replacement could easily already be on the roster.
I don’t see why don’t. Relief pitchers in general are fairly interchangeable and this team is going nowhere in a hurry.
As a non-Cards fan, I find what’s going on here both opaquely confusing and transparently clear.
Was Bloom hired as essentially the next head of baseball ops a couple months back, but it won’t be announced until after the ‘24 season?
“opaquely confusing and transparently clear.”
This is known as the new Cardinal Way.
Actually, it is known as nonsense.
Regardless of the incompetent trades, needless extensions, managerial hiring mistakes, falling behind the times system wide, and failing to address the pitching disaster year after year after year, he’s the kind of GM/POBO an owner wants. He’s made that franchise money.
I’ve been following the Cards since the 60s and I can remember some really lean years in talent and wins! Dewitts have put a lot of faith in Mo and deservedly so. Are they perfect, no but not a one of us are! The Dewitts are Very Good owners especially compared to some out there and Mo has overall done a fine job! I’m afraid one of these days they will sell and we end up like Cincinnati or Miami or Pittsburgh! JMO as everyone has one!
Glad to see someone with a bit of perspective. I agree. It isn’t always pretty, but it looks a lot better than most others.
Get rid of divisions. Sans a putrid division/snakes and rockies giveaways this guy is busking.
Well said.
Riley O’Brien does not look Irish.
I think the top brass in the Cards organization loves this guy. He made a mediocre team like they want. Saved them money!