1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:01,720 Speaker 1: You know, I still think that there is time for 2 00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: both sides to get a deal. I also think that 3 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:06,120 Speaker 1: there is a chance he comes to Saint Louis next 4 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: year and stays there. 5 00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 2: Hey with up. Hello. 6 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: I'm Katie Wu, Cardinals beat writer for The Athletic and 7 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:18,600 Speaker 1: the co host of the Cardinal Territory Podcast. I am 8 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 1: joined here today by someone who needs no introduction, but 9 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: I'm going to give him one anyway. Let's welcome Polo Esensio, 10 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,480 Speaker 1: voice of the Cardinals Spanish radio broadcast, as our very 11 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 1: first guest in Cardinal Territory history. 12 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:34,919 Speaker 2: Polo, I am so honored that you are here with 13 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 2: me today. 14 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 3: I am honored to be here, like like seriously, I 15 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:40,279 Speaker 3: know it's a big deal for you. I know it's 16 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:42,520 Speaker 3: a big deal for me, and it's a big deal 17 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 3: for Cardinal Nation because we are living in very interesting 18 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 3: times when we follow the Cardinals, when we hear what's 19 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 3: going on, what happened the last couple of seasons, What's 20 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 3: happened this last season, what happened yesterday, what's going to 21 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:58,240 Speaker 3: happen today and tomorrow? So excited to be here. Congratulations 22 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:00,160 Speaker 3: and best of luck the rest of the ways. So 23 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:02,160 Speaker 3: I know We can go on and on and on, 24 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 3: but let's get too and let's get to the meat 25 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:06,479 Speaker 3: because there's a lot of meat. There's a lot of potatoes. 26 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:09,039 Speaker 3: So Cardinal Nation, they're excited to hear what you have 27 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 3: to say, Katie Woolf. 28 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:11,680 Speaker 2: Well, let's get to it. 29 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: For those of you new to the podcast, most of 30 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:15,399 Speaker 1: you are considering, it's about three days old. 31 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 2: You can find us on YouTube. 32 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 1: You can subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you 33 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:22,120 Speaker 1: get your podcasts. You can follow us on Twitter or 34 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:25,839 Speaker 1: x whatever you call it. Now at card Territory, let's 35 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:29,200 Speaker 1: get into it. There was some newsy things yesterday Polo 36 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:34,080 Speaker 1: with the Saint Louis Cardinals and Nolan Arenado right here, Uh, 37 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 1: Nolan Arnado Nix's a trade to the Houston Astros for now. 38 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 1: This news was reported yesterday first by MLB dot Com, 39 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 1: Mark Fine Sanjohn Denton, Brian McTaggart, and there's some additional 40 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 1: information and context up on The Athletic by myself and 41 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 1: Astros beat writer for The Athletic, Chandler Rome. Let's talk 42 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: about it here. What are your thoughts on this? 43 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:58,920 Speaker 3: My thoughts is, uh, I'm gonna start with what I 44 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 3: think Nolan is thanking. I don't know what he's thinking. 45 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 3: I mean, I'm sure he knows what he's thinking, but 46 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 3: he is taking his time. When you when I heard 47 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,839 Speaker 3: the news of like, oh wow, that's crazy. But then 48 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 3: you start thinking about it, you start reading about it 49 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 3: and listening to what it's out there, including your your 50 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 3: fine pieces that you put yesterday. The Astros were not 51 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 3: on his list, right, the list, right, I'm sure somebody 52 00:02:24,880 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 3: has seen the list. I don't. I don't. I don't 53 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 3: know the list, but people say they are not on 54 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 3: his list. So he's I think he needs to take 55 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:37,239 Speaker 3: time to understand what the next step will be if 56 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 3: he moves on to the Astros. I read a lot 57 00:02:41,000 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 3: and it said for now, right, he said, I'm not 58 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 3: going there for now, But that doesn't mean that he's 59 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 3: not going to change his mind once Christmas, once New 60 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 3: Year's and let's let's be honest, you're no no joking. 61 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 3: Christmas is next week. New Year's is a couple of 62 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 3: weeks from now. We all want to be relaxed during 63 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:03,239 Speaker 3: New Year Christmas. Maybe that's what he wants. Maybe that's 64 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,840 Speaker 3: what Nolan wants. He's like, you know what, maybe I 65 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:09,919 Speaker 3: will go to the Astros. Once all this Christmas New 66 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:13,440 Speaker 3: Year's happens, then we will revisit. Now. Will the Astros 67 00:03:13,480 --> 00:03:15,880 Speaker 3: be waiting for Nolan or to revisit I don't know, 68 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 3: because as we all know, they have Alex Pregman there 69 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 3: waiting for them to offer, or they are waiting for 70 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 3: him to accept again. I don't know all the details, 71 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:29,919 Speaker 3: but I don't see anything wrong. I really don't, because 72 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 3: it's his future. It's Nolan's future, and when my future 73 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 3: is a play, I want to make sure that I 74 00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 3: am making the right decision. And if he thinks he 75 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 3: needs to take time to say yes or a definite 76 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 3: note to the Astros, he will. Now on the other side, 77 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 3: if you are the Cardinals, and seriously, a great job 78 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 3: from the Cardinals of looking to make sure Nolan is happy, right, 79 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 3: he said, I want to go to a team that 80 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 3: is going to be winning the next few years. The 81 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 3: Astros look like a team they're going to be winning, 82 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 3: and they have for the almost a decade now decade now. 83 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 3: And the Cardinals you already heard it. They re said 84 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:14,440 Speaker 3: their reboot, their re whatever. So good job by by 85 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 3: Moe and and his people. The front office, Tim whoever 86 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:22,720 Speaker 3: was involved on looking out there, listening and at least 87 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:25,760 Speaker 3: in this case, picking a team that they know is 88 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 3: going to win, or at least we think it's going 89 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 3: to win. Now it's up to Nolan to accept or not. 90 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 3: And it's up to the car say you know, okay, 91 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 3: we already picked a team. You said, no, guess what 92 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 3: We're gonna be here. If you want to go somewhere, 93 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 3: let us know and we will talk to that team, 94 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 3: or perhaps you and your agent can start talking to 95 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 3: those teams and come back to us. I think those 96 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 3: are very different situations with the same subject, which is 97 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 3: Nolan now though, and making sure that one of the 98 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 3: best third basemen of all time has a chance to win, 99 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 3: to win, to get to the play I have and 100 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 3: perhaps go to the World Series. That's what I think 101 00:05:03,120 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 3: this morning, after what we heard and what we saw yesterday. 102 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think those are fantastic points and I tend 103 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 1: to agree with you. 104 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:13,720 Speaker 2: Look, the key Free is that we've been focusing on 105 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 2: with this sport is the four now. And you know 106 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 2: we spoke about this. 107 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 1: I wrote about this on the Athletic talks about it 108 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:23,720 Speaker 1: on foul Territory This afternoon, all Nolan said was, Hey, 109 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 1: it's a no for now, it's not a no forever. 110 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 1: And the primary belief, and it's important to note Nolan 111 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:32,720 Speaker 1: himself has not had any public commentary on this. This 112 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 1: is all source information. Obviously. We trust the information that 113 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:37,480 Speaker 1: we're getting, otherwise we wouldn't be using it. 114 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:40,760 Speaker 3: All. You know that Nolan is doing right now is 115 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 3: more tie punching bags. I mean, he's getting ready for 116 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 3: our war whatever it is. So sorry about that, Katie, 117 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 3: but I just think you're. 118 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,039 Speaker 2: His Instagram story. So he's hit hit in the gym. 119 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 2: I see it. 120 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 3: He's getting strong, he's getting strong. 121 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:56,560 Speaker 1: But it's it's just a matter of the timing not 122 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:59,599 Speaker 1: being right. You know, it's December nineteenth, and in the 123 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:02,679 Speaker 1: great scheme of the MLB off season calendar, we're already 124 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 1: almost half. 125 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 2: We're over had the halfway point, which is scary. 126 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 1: But Nolan's market, the third base market, the corner and 127 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 1: field market, that's still relatively undefined and it's going to 128 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 1: be that way until Alex Bregman signs. So if he's 129 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:18,360 Speaker 1: not ready to say yes to a destination because he 130 00:06:18,440 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: is not sure what his own market looks like yet, 131 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,479 Speaker 1: that's his right that's why teams give you a no 132 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 1: full note trade clause. He's earned it, right, so I 133 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:30,359 Speaker 1: have no issue with this. This is the what the 134 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 1: player wants, you know. From the Cardinals side, If I'm 135 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:37,159 Speaker 1: John Moseaelack, I'm annoyed. I'm mad because he has bosses 136 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 1: he has to satisfy, right, and we know the Cardinals 137 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:43,360 Speaker 1: are trying to bring payroll down. That's out of John 138 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:46,520 Speaker 1: moseae loaf decision. He does not decide what payroll is. 139 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: The owners of the Cardinals do. So. The primary reason 140 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:52,159 Speaker 1: the Cardinals wanted to trade Arnatto in the first place 141 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:54,360 Speaker 1: was to offload some of that payroll get. 142 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:55,200 Speaker 2: Some financial relief. 143 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: In that deal with the Astros, they were only paying 144 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 1: five million per season approximately for the next three years, 145 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 1: so they were roughly owed fifteen million dollars of the 146 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:09,680 Speaker 1: remaining seventy four million on Arnatta's contract. That's a huge, 147 00:07:09,880 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 1: huge salary relief. It's a perfect deal if you're John mozeyloc. 148 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 1: But it wasn't a perfect deal for Nolan. So both 149 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 1: parties have to be in alignment here. 150 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:20,679 Speaker 2: We'll see. 151 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 1: I think the Astros and Cardinals will continue talking. I 152 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 1: don't think there's any ill will necessarily from the Astros. 153 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:28,680 Speaker 1: I think they do understand the perspective from Nolan, but 154 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 1: if they have to pivot to address their own needs, 155 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: they have to pivot. And that's the risk that Nolan 156 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 1: is obviously aware of when he's made his decision. Was 157 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: he can only control his decision. He can't control the 158 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 1: decisions of other teams. So my expectation is that this 159 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 1: will take you know, we might go into January, could 160 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: go down to the wire here. If you had to 161 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: give me a prediction today on if Nolan Arnaudo is 162 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 1: a Saint Louis Cardinal. Come pitchers and catchers or position 163 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:56,120 Speaker 1: players report date, what do you say? 164 00:07:56,320 --> 00:08:00,600 Speaker 3: I say yes, yes, I say yes. I say yes. 165 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 3: We've seen it in the past. We've seen it. And 166 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:07,120 Speaker 3: I mean again, thinking about this and the one that 167 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 3: I can think of because I paid a lot of attention, 168 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 3: you know, back I don't know, twenty years ago, it 169 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 3: was Gary Sheffield with the Dodger. He wanted to get 170 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 3: out of there, he wanted to get paid, he wanted out. 171 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 3: It was reported everywhere there was I mean back then 172 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 3: there was no Twitter, no x, no nothing, not even 173 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:27,240 Speaker 3: my space so high five, but there was interviews where 174 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 3: he's I don't want to be here. I want to 175 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:30,680 Speaker 3: get paid, and the Dodgers will say, now, well we're 176 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 3: not going to pay him. We could trade him. Guess what. 177 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 3: Opening day he was a Dodger Stadium Opening Day, he 178 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:40,439 Speaker 3: was booed Gary Sheffield Opening Day. He hit a home run. 179 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 3: The minute he hit that home run, everybody forgot about 180 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 3: the divorce that never happened. And I'm not saying that's 181 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 3: going to happen and signed Lewis. I believe for selfish reasons, 182 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 3: I want to keep Nolan. I want to see Nolan. 183 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 3: I want to call Nolan out and now I want 184 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:57,200 Speaker 3: to call it the wood Own Place every so often 185 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 3: because that makes it fun for us, for broadcasters, for 186 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,959 Speaker 3: beat writers, and for their fans. But again, I'm not 187 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 3: part of the business. I'm not part of what you said, 188 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 3: you know, the decision making. But I do think there's 189 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 3: a big chance he stays. Then again throughout the season, 190 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:16,079 Speaker 3: depending how it happens, how it goes, then perhaps Nolan 191 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 3: can be traded in the middle of the season, and 192 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 3: that can happen too. I mean, so that's what I think. Again, 193 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:25,080 Speaker 3: a little selfish and even the policeman outside in the frontment. 194 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,839 Speaker 3: They know this is a very hot topic. That's why 195 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 3: they're circling in my house. But now it's okay, it's 196 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:31,720 Speaker 3: just Katie Will. 197 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:33,959 Speaker 2: Yeah, they're coming for you. They're like, what'd you say? 198 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 1: No, I get the point you're making, and what you know. 199 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 1: I still think that there is time for both sides 200 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:41,360 Speaker 1: to get a deal. I also think that there is 201 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 1: a chance he comes to Saint Louis next year and 202 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:46,079 Speaker 1: stays there. It would be very interesting to see how 203 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,120 Speaker 1: that plays out. But you know, we still have about 204 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 1: seven weeks. I just found out, by the way that 205 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:54,720 Speaker 1: the unofficial Pitchers and Catchers Report day is either February 206 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 1: tenth or February eleventh, hence the unofficial, And. 207 00:09:57,760 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 2: I think that's so early. 208 00:09:59,520 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 1: It is early, right, So if all of you baseball 209 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 1: sick goes out there, don't worry. I think we're we're 210 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 1: starting a little bit earlyer than we usually do. In 211 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 1: twenty eight. 212 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 3: About next next week is almost New Year's now. Then 213 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 3: you have a month of January and then ten more 214 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:14,040 Speaker 3: days and we're in Jupiter. 215 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 2: Oh no, that. 216 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:19,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, it could happen. Don't worry. I got you. I'll 217 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 3: buy you a nice shaved ice cream or whatever it 218 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 3: is in that corner. So it's exciting. I mean, at 219 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 3: least we have some to talk about. You know, there's 220 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 3: a lot of teams that they're not talking about anything. 221 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 3: They're not good or bad, they're just quiet. The fans 222 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:35,080 Speaker 3: don't even know what's going on. What we know is 223 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:38,559 Speaker 3: there's some movement here. And the Cardinals are in the news, 224 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:40,960 Speaker 3: for good or bad. I mean, this is not good, 225 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 3: this is not bad. It's just they're in the news. 226 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 3: And that's what we want. We want news, we want 227 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 3: to be moving, and we want the days. As you 228 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 3: know and you put it, I'm excited to go back 229 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:52,920 Speaker 3: to Jupiter. But as as dreadful as it might be 230 00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 3: for some people that, oh my god, it's all ready February, 231 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 3: I'm excited. I'm ready for baseball. I mean, I had 232 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:01,760 Speaker 3: enough of two months not watching or not looking at 233 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 3: MLB baseball. I'm ready. I'm ready for baseball. So I mean, 234 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:08,000 Speaker 3: I'm excited, and let's see what happens, you know, let's 235 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 3: see what the Nolano novela takes us next. 236 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:15,720 Speaker 1: See, this is your excitement, Like, this is why your 237 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 1: calls are so electric, because your excitement just now. You 238 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:20,080 Speaker 1: got me a little bit more motivated for spring training. 239 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:24,600 Speaker 1: So if you've never listened to a Cardinal's Spanish radio broadcast, one, 240 00:11:24,640 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 1: what are you doing too? 241 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:27,520 Speaker 2: It's fantastic. 242 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 1: And this is coming from someone who only knows you know, 243 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:32,839 Speaker 1: I have to work on this. A few Spanish words, 244 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 1: most of them inappropriate. And while I have no idea 245 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: what you are saying or what Benji is saying, most 246 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 1: of the time, I can feel the energy in your 247 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: calls and they're just they're so so good. So hopefully 248 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:46,560 Speaker 1: you will have us some fun calls. I'm sure you will. 249 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:50,320 Speaker 1: Maybe about our next guy, our next topic. Let's talk 250 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,679 Speaker 1: Ryan Helsley. And I wanted to bring this up because you, 251 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,599 Speaker 1: in the very beginning of the off season said that 252 00:11:56,679 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: you didn't think the Cardinals would or should trade Ryan, 253 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 1: and I said, sir, I politely and respectfully disagree. And 254 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:05,719 Speaker 1: this is no knock on Helsley. I know he's a 255 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 1: favorite of both of us. You were right, I was wrong. 256 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:12,280 Speaker 1: Does not seem like the Cardinals are going to trade Helsley? 257 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 1: And its controversial topic up until this Nolan stuff. It 258 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 1: was probably the most controversial thing of the off season. 259 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 1: Tell me, Polo, what is your argument for the Cardinals 260 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:21,880 Speaker 1: keeping Helsley. 261 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 3: When the Cardinals trade for a player, most recently Nolan 262 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:32,840 Speaker 3: Paul Goldschmidt, they always look for a type of player, 263 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 3: right the cardinal way, a player that looks like a cardinal. Well, 264 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:42,720 Speaker 3: guess what, Ryan Helsley not only looks like a cardinal, 265 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:46,839 Speaker 3: he was born a cardinal. They drafted the kid. They 266 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 3: drafted him. And one thing that I like about about 267 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:53,320 Speaker 3: Helsley and the Cardinals, they never moved them around like 268 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 3: we've seen in the recent years, like you start, you 269 00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:59,760 Speaker 3: really you start. No, he knew his role and he 270 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:04,360 Speaker 3: has embrace that role. He has embraced it and he 271 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:07,440 Speaker 3: owns it. He owns the part. He is very polite, 272 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 3: He is very quiet. He is somebody that I actually 273 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 3: look up to the way he works and the way 274 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 3: he conducts himself. He always has time for the fans. 275 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 3: He always when he doesn't have time for the fans 276 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,560 Speaker 3: or the media, very politely. You know what, guys, I 277 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 3: am really sorry right now. It's not a good time 278 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 3: if you wait, maybe a halftime later, but don't think 279 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:30,360 Speaker 3: that I will talk to you because I'm in a hurry. 280 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,080 Speaker 3: I have to work. I have this interview. I have 281 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 3: something that I have to do. The other thing is 282 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 3: when we right when the season ended and we go 283 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:45,680 Speaker 3: into the off season, there's so many relievers out there available, 284 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:49,520 Speaker 3: There's so many closers to this day, a lot of them. 285 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:54,080 Speaker 3: So why are you gonna trade somebody who other teams 286 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:57,120 Speaker 3: can get for cheap? That just say, right? I mean 287 00:13:57,400 --> 00:13:59,679 Speaker 3: a Chapman he went to the Red Sox for ten 288 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 3: million one year's that's that is very good for That's 289 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 3: a good bargain. You have a Tenor Scott out there, 290 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,560 Speaker 3: you have Kenley Jensen out there. So if you are 291 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:13,480 Speaker 3: the Cardinals, yeah, you might say, guys, we might have 292 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 3: healthily available. Again, I don't know what goes on and 293 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 3: teams that you know what, do we want to trade 294 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:23,160 Speaker 3: a top prospect because that's what you want for Ryan Helsley. 295 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 3: Do we want to trade a top prospect or two? 296 00:14:25,960 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 3: Or do we just want to give out all these 297 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 3: Chapman a one year deal for ten million dollars? So 298 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 3: when I looked at that, I'm like, it makes no 299 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 3: sense for the Cardinals to put him out there and 300 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 3: have low ball offers from other teams, And like I said, 301 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:46,040 Speaker 3: he is a Cardinal moving forward. That's what we want, right, 302 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 3: That's what the Cardinals want. To go back to Cardinals, 303 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 3: people that came up through the system, people that look 304 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 3: the part. And seriously, over the last couple of years, 305 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,800 Speaker 3: especially last season and twenty twenty two when he was 306 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 3: in the All Star Game, who has looked more like 307 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 3: a Cardinal than Ryan Helsley. And now he is not 308 00:15:06,520 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 3: a young kid anymore. He is not a rookie. He's 309 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 3: not somebody who is just starting to pitch. He has 310 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:16,120 Speaker 3: experience a lot of experience. He's been up, he's been down, 311 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:18,600 Speaker 3: and right now I think he is at his peak. 312 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 3: And if again I don't know what's going on, you 313 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:24,440 Speaker 3: don't know what's going on, we might hear things. But 314 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 3: if I was the Cardinals, I will sit down and say, hey, 315 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 3: you're going nowhere for now, why don't we just talk 316 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 3: about an extension instead of you moving on? You know, 317 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:37,360 Speaker 3: because his numbers are going up. The fan base loves them, 318 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 3: and I think that's what you need to keep when 319 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 3: when when a player is loved by the fan base 320 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 3: and you can keep him, keep him. Yes, I understand 321 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:49,120 Speaker 3: he's a reliever, he's a closer, and sometimes people don't 322 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:51,400 Speaker 3: like to pay a lot of money for closers. But 323 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 3: in this case, I think you can come into to 324 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:56,760 Speaker 3: an agreement with Ryan and keep him for the long run, 325 00:15:56,800 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 3: if not, well not forever. That's that's what I That's 326 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 3: what I feel, and that's why I told you at 327 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 3: the beginning, and I know we talked about this before. 328 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 3: I don't think he's going anywhere, and he shouldn't go anywhere. 329 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 3: And again, you know, if if I right, the right 330 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 3: offer comes, maybe he'll be he'll be elsewhere. But for now, 331 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 3: Eco Hell's bells looks like he's going to be back 332 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 3: with the Cardinals next season. 333 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know, I think the perspective the Cardinals when 334 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 1: they come out and said, hey, we're going to reset 335 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 1: next year and we're going to cut payroll costs. It 336 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: made sense because after Helsey's fantastic year in twenty four, 337 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 1: I mean, he's set the MLB record and saves for 338 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 1: that year, the MLB franchise or the franchise record, excuse 339 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 1: me for saves for the Cardinals like well deserved raise 340 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 1: coming and arbitration for Helsley. He absolutely deserves it. 341 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 2: It was kind of the. 342 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 1: Natural correlation to say, well, if he's going to be 343 00:16:48,760 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: due for a major set of arbitration one year before 344 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:52,840 Speaker 1: he's a free agent, makes sense for the Cardinals to 345 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:55,480 Speaker 1: try to boost his value. But seeing where how slow 346 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 1: the relief pitching market is, and you know, it's always 347 00:16:57,960 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: slow in the off season, but this year in particular, 348 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 1: feels like especially sluggish. 349 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 2: I can understand. 350 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:06,160 Speaker 1: And you know, one thing that I think has gotten 351 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 1: mixed messaging from John Mozaelock is the Cardinals. 352 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 2: Aren't punting on twenty twenty five. It don't get me wrong. 353 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 2: This is a very different offseason from seasons prior and 354 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 2: the you. 355 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 1: Know, ownership's decision to bring payroll down, the Cardinals decision. 356 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 2: To play the youth, like, that's very frustrating. 357 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 1: If you're a Cardinals fan. I'm not trying to diminish 358 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 1: that you should. You should be angry that you know 359 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:29,680 Speaker 1: that it's come to this point. But they are still 360 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:32,600 Speaker 1: trying to win with the players that they have. And 361 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 1: that is the key phrase for me. The more I 362 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 1: hear mos say this, the players that they have, they 363 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:39,520 Speaker 1: are trying to win with. Hellsley you can win with 364 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:42,200 Speaker 1: and hey, you know what if the Cardinals spiral out 365 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,679 Speaker 1: and come the trade deadline all of a sudden, you know, 366 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 1: it looks like they may be moving on and they 367 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 1: could still trade Hellsley. 368 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:48,199 Speaker 2: They can do that. 369 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:52,560 Speaker 1: I wonder if an extension is has been explored. It's 370 00:17:52,600 --> 00:17:55,560 Speaker 1: really difficult this year to say, because the person making 371 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:57,720 Speaker 1: decisions for the twenty twenty five roster will not be 372 00:17:57,760 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 1: making the decisions for twenty twenty six, so it's it's 373 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: hard to. 374 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 3: See where what was that right there? It's just it's 375 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:07,640 Speaker 3: very interesting. It's like, we know Mo is moving on, 376 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:09,920 Speaker 3: you know, whatever he's going to do next. Good luck 377 00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 3: to Mo. I mean, I really like him, and I 378 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 3: know you do too. But the next guy come up, 379 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 3: not only the next guy, but the next front office. 380 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 3: What is that they're thinking? And you mentioned it before? 381 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:24,160 Speaker 3: What is what are the owners telling the next guy's 382 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:27,040 Speaker 3: the next front office, Hey, we can do this. Let's 383 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 3: let's flush this this couple of players, and then we 384 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:34,240 Speaker 3: can start investing, like we can start looking into things. 385 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:38,800 Speaker 3: And that makes it very very interesting, along with all 386 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 3: the other players that are now though, the Helsley, the 387 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:44,160 Speaker 3: Fattie that the Steven mattch all those guys that everybody 388 00:18:44,560 --> 00:18:47,439 Speaker 3: is talking about Oh they might move, they might not 389 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:50,160 Speaker 3: move for now, no moves, So we're good. 390 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:52,440 Speaker 2: We're chilling, Helsy, you're chilling. 391 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:55,400 Speaker 1: But you know again, you know, from a beat writer 392 00:18:55,440 --> 00:18:57,280 Speaker 1: of perspective, it's you always try to look at like 393 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 1: what makes the most logical sense. From a personal standpoint, 394 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 1: Ryan Helsley has been I call the players I've covered 395 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: since my first year in twenty one, I call them dogs. 396 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:07,360 Speaker 2: Hellsy's been a dog and a great family. 397 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:09,880 Speaker 1: Wife is amazing, has a second daughter on the way, 398 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:12,760 Speaker 1: so that's exciting too. Looks like he will stay in 399 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:14,879 Speaker 1: Saint Louis. Now let's talk about another. 400 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:17,200 Speaker 2: Guy that you and I both know well. 401 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:20,200 Speaker 1: He is a friend of yours and he oh, but 402 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 1: there we go. Oh, there he is, and he's also 403 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:26,320 Speaker 1: a first baseman. Now, Wilson Contraras will be the Cardinals' 404 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:28,720 Speaker 1: opening day first baseman come twenty twenty five. He will 405 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: not be catching those duties will go to Pedro Pa 406 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:32,240 Speaker 1: has Anyvonne Herrera. 407 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:34,720 Speaker 2: This was not something I saw coming. 408 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:38,600 Speaker 1: However, Wilson did, and when I talked to him earlier 409 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: in the week, he said, I told you so. So 410 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:42,879 Speaker 1: the moral of this episode is I didn't need to 411 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 1: start listening to people. What do you know about Wilson? 412 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:47,439 Speaker 1: What have you conversations have you had with him? And 413 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 1: what do you think about him taking over first base 414 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:49,640 Speaker 1: next year? 415 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:52,480 Speaker 3: What do I know about Wilson? He loves his dog. 416 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:56,880 Speaker 3: His dog's name is Ray, his wife Andrea. They're having 417 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:00,680 Speaker 3: fun in Florida. And he is a happy, lucky guy. 418 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 3: That's one thing that I learned from the minute that 419 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:08,720 Speaker 3: I met him. Like, as an opponent, you don't like him, 420 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:11,439 Speaker 3: right because he's that guy. He he's gonna show up, 421 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:13,920 Speaker 3: he's gonna tell you how how much better he is 422 00:20:14,440 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 3: than your your team. But then he turns into he 423 00:20:17,359 --> 00:20:19,800 Speaker 3: comes to the Cardinals, and that's the guy I can, 424 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:22,400 Speaker 3: I can, I can, I can battle with, I can 425 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:25,800 Speaker 3: go behind with. And he's excited. There's a reason why 426 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:28,320 Speaker 3: and he and you know there is no breaking news 427 00:20:28,320 --> 00:20:30,520 Speaker 3: because it's there. And as you know, we hear a 428 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:33,880 Speaker 3: lot of things, but we keep the key. That's how 429 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 3: we earn the trust of people, right that we don't 430 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 3: go a telling everybody what we know or or what 431 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:44,720 Speaker 3: we hear whatever. Uh. But back when the season ended, 432 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:47,000 Speaker 3: I told him, as hey, am I gonna see you 433 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:50,160 Speaker 3: next year? Like I'm not going anywhere. He basically turned 434 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:52,320 Speaker 3: into the another of DiCaprio on that Wolf of of 435 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:56,400 Speaker 3: uh of uh then yeah, that that Wolf of Wall 436 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:57,119 Speaker 3: Street or whatever. 437 00:20:57,400 --> 00:20:57,960 Speaker 1: I'm leaving. 438 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 3: So and I felt like, I feel like Jonah Hill, 439 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 3: like what and He's like, were not living. So when 440 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:09,240 Speaker 3: you have a guy that commits and tells you, I 441 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:11,000 Speaker 3: don't want to go anywhere. I want to stay here. 442 00:21:11,080 --> 00:21:13,320 Speaker 3: I want to win here. There's a reason why I 443 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:16,520 Speaker 3: wanted to be with the Cardinals. And he knows that 444 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:18,760 Speaker 3: it might be a bit of a struggle next season, 445 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:21,400 Speaker 3: but you just said it. Who knows, you know. One 446 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:23,200 Speaker 3: of the one of the things that I always heard 447 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 3: from somebody that I admire by the name of Manny Mota, 448 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:31,040 Speaker 3: uh former, you know, King pinch hitter. Baseball is so 449 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 3: weird that the ball is round, it comes inside a 450 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:39,760 Speaker 3: square box. That is how weird baseball is. So this 451 00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:42,320 Speaker 3: Cardinal team, I don't think is down for the count. 452 00:21:42,359 --> 00:21:44,120 Speaker 3: I don't think they're taking a year off. I don't 453 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:48,119 Speaker 3: think they're looking for a lottery pick for next season. 454 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:51,160 Speaker 3: I think they're looking to do something and perhaps shock 455 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:56,119 Speaker 3: some people. Right, and Wilson Contreres likes that he thinks. 456 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 3: I think that he thinks he can be a real 457 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 3: mentor of young players, a real uh leader in the clubhouse. 458 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:08,640 Speaker 3: And you see it. I see it. I noticed how 459 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:12,720 Speaker 3: the young guys go to that corner. They talked to him, 460 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,239 Speaker 3: They they they listen to him, they follow him. And 461 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 3: I believe that's what he likes, you know. He he 462 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 3: he saw from the other side when Yadi was here, 463 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:23,959 Speaker 3: when Albert was here here the last time. So he 464 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:26,000 Speaker 3: wants to be that guy. He wants to be that 465 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:29,000 Speaker 3: guy with with Carlo Nation and and and I'm excited. 466 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 3: I'm excited. I'm happy he's staying. I'm excited. And I'm 467 00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 3: also excited for the opportunity for Evan Herrera. You know, 468 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:36,879 Speaker 3: Ivan Heredra is a guy that we've been waiting for 469 00:22:36,920 --> 00:22:40,119 Speaker 3: a while to do something. Last season, injuries, you know, 470 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:45,359 Speaker 3: got took him down. Then Pedro Pipes comes out of 471 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 3: nowhere and has a very good season for a rookie 472 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,840 Speaker 3: that nobody, you know, nobody thought he could do anything. 473 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:54,640 Speaker 3: So now we have three guys that can catch, because 474 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:57,160 Speaker 3: all of them can catch, three guys that can hit. 475 00:22:57,760 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 3: And I'm excited for that. I'm excited for for Wilson 476 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:04,480 Speaker 3: to try first base. I'm exciting for Wilson to to 477 00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:08,000 Speaker 3: DH and save his body, perhaps to have a longer career, 478 00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:10,359 Speaker 3: but I am very excited to see what Pedro can do, 479 00:23:10,520 --> 00:23:13,760 Speaker 3: knowing that he is part of that core. Now it's 480 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:18,399 Speaker 3: not Pedro going into into a spring training hoping maybe 481 00:23:18,440 --> 00:23:20,680 Speaker 3: I'll start in Triple A, maybe they'll give me a chance. 482 00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:23,520 Speaker 3: Now he knows the chance is there, and Evan the 483 00:23:23,600 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 3: same way. So with Wilson moving opens up opportunities, like 484 00:23:29,520 --> 00:23:31,840 Speaker 3: we said, at bats for people. And you know, we 485 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:35,840 Speaker 3: have Alec Berlison getting at some more at bats, We're 486 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:39,159 Speaker 3: gonna have Ivanerera, We're gonna have Pedro Pajez, and I 487 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 3: think with the leadership of Wilson Contredras, this team can 488 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:45,200 Speaker 3: surprise some people. And I mean, I'm gonna be honest, 489 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:48,680 Speaker 3: I miss Champagne on my eyes. So hopefully twenty twenty 490 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:50,240 Speaker 3: five ends with Champagne everywhere. 491 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 1: You know, I've covered exactly three playoff games on the 492 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:56,680 Speaker 1: Cardinals beat not one single win yet, so I'm looking 493 00:23:56,720 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 1: across that one off my bucket list at some point. 494 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:05,880 Speaker 2: But yeah, maybe it's me whatever Scramento or whatever, not 495 00:24:05,920 --> 00:24:13,239 Speaker 2: Sacramento please with the athletics. I think I like your 496 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:15,439 Speaker 2: point about the young guys. Yvon Herrera. 497 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 1: I don't think got necessarily the right instruction coming up 498 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:21,119 Speaker 1: through the minor leagues, because how do you get all 499 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:22,520 Speaker 1: the way to the major leagues and all of a 500 00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:26,160 Speaker 1: sudden now the organization is aware that, hey, your arm 501 00:24:26,200 --> 00:24:28,600 Speaker 1: throwing a second is not as strong as it could be. Right, 502 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:30,679 Speaker 1: So I think that was a reflection not on her era, 503 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:33,920 Speaker 1: but on an oversight by the player development system, which 504 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:37,359 Speaker 1: you know Cardinals are fixing. They say, I like Pedro 505 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 1: Pajz and I remember he left such a good impression 506 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 1: in spring training last year, and I, you know, on 507 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:42,760 Speaker 1: the final day, I said, hey, I hope to see 508 00:24:42,760 --> 00:24:45,159 Speaker 1: you at some point next this season, and then he 509 00:24:45,240 --> 00:24:47,679 Speaker 1: spent pretty much the whole season up in Saint Louis. 510 00:24:47,720 --> 00:24:50,080 Speaker 1: I think there are a lot to be exciting with 511 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:52,240 Speaker 1: these two guys, and more and more you're seeing teams 512 00:24:52,280 --> 00:24:55,480 Speaker 1: don't necessarily have a traditional starting catcher, but there there 513 00:24:55,480 --> 00:24:57,720 Speaker 1: it's a hybrid role based on you know what pitcher 514 00:24:57,760 --> 00:24:59,359 Speaker 1: that they work best with, you know, how do they 515 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:02,440 Speaker 1: hit against the posing picture, What is that team's defense 516 00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:04,720 Speaker 1: really need that day? I would love to see Ali 517 00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 1: Marmal kind of use both of those guys as a 518 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 1: hybrid and then absolutely necessary they have contrarasts, though Mos 519 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:12,199 Speaker 1: said that, you know that would be really unlikely that 520 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:14,639 Speaker 1: he'd be behind the plate. What I'm most excited to 521 00:25:14,640 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 1: see for Wilson is that bat. That offense last year 522 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:21,200 Speaker 1: is pretty anemic. It was not the most thrilling to watch. 523 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:23,320 Speaker 2: You're seeing You're. 524 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:25,680 Speaker 1: Expecting a lot of bounce back years right from noot Bar, 525 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:29,920 Speaker 1: from Gorman, from Walker. You know, I like obviously Mason 526 00:25:29,920 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 1: wy and Brendan Donovan. They're pretty consistent. I really like 527 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:35,880 Speaker 1: Alec Burlsten's back to ball skills, but there wasn't power there. 528 00:25:36,160 --> 00:25:39,639 Speaker 1: And gold Schwan Arnado have taken responsibility for that Contrarasts 529 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:42,840 Speaker 1: when healthy was by far their best hitter. By keeping 530 00:25:42,920 --> 00:25:45,399 Speaker 1: him or moving him to first base, you're essentially hoping 531 00:25:45,400 --> 00:25:47,640 Speaker 1: to keep him healthy and to have that power bat. 532 00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:51,159 Speaker 1: And like the three holes that you think, that excites me. 533 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:53,560 Speaker 1: I mean, when you're counting on so many players to 534 00:25:53,640 --> 00:25:56,679 Speaker 1: hopefully pick it up and turn it around, having someone 535 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 1: that you know can supply the offense in your the 536 00:25:58,840 --> 00:26:01,480 Speaker 1: middle of your order is key. So I'm excited for 537 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:04,600 Speaker 1: that element of it. When I talked to Wilson, you know, 538 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:06,800 Speaker 1: I'm still having a hard time picturing him at first base. 539 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:09,360 Speaker 1: When I hung up the phone the other day, I said, okay, 540 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 1: I'll see your pictures and catchers and he said. 541 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:13,399 Speaker 2: No, you won't. And I kind of laughed because I 542 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:14,320 Speaker 2: didn't get it and he was. 543 00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:15,880 Speaker 1: I was like, oh, yeah, I see you. Then he goes, 544 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:18,520 Speaker 1: I'm not going to be there. I'm not a catcher. 545 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:20,919 Speaker 2: He was like, oh yeah, yeah, right, you're not. 546 00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 3: He's taking it to heart. It's a catcher anymore. He's like, 547 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:29,240 Speaker 3: all right, show up with the pitch with the guys. 548 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:31,240 Speaker 3: But you and I know that he's going to be 549 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:34,160 Speaker 3: there earlier year and I now be there working with 550 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:38,040 Speaker 3: with with some guys. So it's going to be a 551 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:40,879 Speaker 3: very interesting season, and it's gonna be an interesting season 552 00:26:41,040 --> 00:26:43,399 Speaker 3: for the manager. It's going to be an interesting season 553 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:46,720 Speaker 3: for those guys that you mentioned. And then let's see 554 00:26:46,760 --> 00:26:49,439 Speaker 3: who shows up, because one thing we know with the 555 00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:54,199 Speaker 3: Cardinals over the last few years, there's always somebody. Always 556 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:58,720 Speaker 3: somebody's gonna show up, is going to show up. Brandon 557 00:26:58,760 --> 00:27:01,720 Speaker 3: Donovan is going to show up, and Alec Berlison is 558 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:04,200 Speaker 3: gonna show up, A large dudebar is gonna show up? 559 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:08,119 Speaker 3: Who is the next guy? The how they say it? 560 00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 3: Next man up? Who is the next one that's gonna 561 00:27:11,040 --> 00:27:13,080 Speaker 3: say hey, I want my chance. You know, we have 562 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 3: a few names and a few ideas, but let's see, 563 00:27:15,560 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 3: you know, let's see, let's see what what what's next? 564 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:20,840 Speaker 3: Let's see who is the next one say hey, I 565 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:24,080 Speaker 3: want my chance? And and like like Brandon Donovan, like 566 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:27,959 Speaker 3: Alec Burlison, like Pedro Paez, earn it and keep it. 567 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 3: And that's what excites me. Yeah, we we want to 568 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:33,520 Speaker 3: see we want to have a team filled with superstars 569 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:36,440 Speaker 3: and everybody, oh my guy going crazy and and we're 570 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:39,679 Speaker 3: World Series or bust. But I also want to see 571 00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 3: the young guys. Give give the young guys a chance 572 00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:48,200 Speaker 3: to to to prove themselves and to earn the birds 573 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:50,560 Speaker 3: on the bat. So I'm excited for the season. I 574 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:53,600 Speaker 3: mean I'm always excited, but but it's every every year 575 00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 3: is different, and next year I think it's gonna be 576 00:27:55,840 --> 00:27:58,200 Speaker 3: the most different we have seen. Katie wool and. 577 00:27:58,200 --> 00:28:00,800 Speaker 2: I'm excited to spend next season with you. 578 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:03,119 Speaker 1: I cannot wait for us to get back to Buffalo 579 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:06,080 Speaker 1: Wild Wings and Ted Drew's after Sunday Day Games, a 580 00:28:06,119 --> 00:28:09,960 Speaker 1: tradition onlike any other, and of Bianca your daughter, if 581 00:28:09,960 --> 00:28:12,439 Speaker 1: you're listening, hey girl, we miss you too well. I 582 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 1: mean you see her every day. I miss her and 583 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:17,679 Speaker 1: hopefully she'll join us there too. This was the second 584 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:21,160 Speaker 1: episode of card Territory. You can follow us on Twitter 585 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:24,320 Speaker 1: at card Territory Original. I know you can like and 586 00:28:24,359 --> 00:28:27,560 Speaker 1: subscribe to our page on YouTube, find us on. 587 00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:30,280 Speaker 2: Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts. 588 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:34,359 Speaker 1: I'm Katie Wu. He's Polo Cencio. This was so much fun, Polo. 589 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:35,960 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for joining us again. 590 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 3: Katie, Let's do it again again. Thank you for the invite. 591 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:41,160 Speaker 3: Best to luck, to you and to everybody working with 592 00:28:41,240 --> 00:28:44,200 Speaker 3: you and this this was a good decision. This was 593 00:28:44,240 --> 00:28:47,280 Speaker 3: a good decision, and hopefully this is the first of many, 594 00:28:47,280 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 3: many times that I get to join you. 595 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:52,000 Speaker 1: I'm already booking you as a reoccurring guest, so get ready, 596 00:28:52,120 --> 00:28:53,560 Speaker 1: all right, Polo, thanks for joining me. 597 00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:57,480 Speaker 2: Trevor Rosenthal is back with us on Tuesday. We will 598 00:28:57,520 --> 00:28:59,760 Speaker 2: talk to you then. This is Cardinal Territory.