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It's been a minute since a brand-new Best Podcast in Baseball and there's a lot to catch up on. For the first time in 18 years, the Cardinals have a new president of baseball operations, and for the first time in even longer they're talking about a team-building plan that doesn't include promises of aiming to contend for a World Series championship. That will likely mean an active winter of trades. At the same time, two prominent former Cardinals, Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, are throwing their names in the ring for manager vacancies elsewhere, with at least two teams (and likely a third soon) entertaining Pujols as a strong candidate for their open position. And, in the past week, a former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt retired from the position with San Diego, spurring conversation about why he left both jobs abruptly and resurfacing reasons reported in the Post-Dispatch and elsewhere after his sudden firing in 2021.

Former players and old conversations all swirl together to invite the question on whether to truly move in a fresh direction did the Cardinals need a stretch like this that brings closure to the past and signals the new era.

Kevin Wheeler, of KMOX/104.1 FM, joins Derrick Goold for a (long overdue) new episode of BPIB to discuss that and more.

The "just hanging on" kitten plays a prominent role in the conversation.

In its 13th season as one of the first and most widely heard podcasts on baseball and the Cardinals, the Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored weekly by Closets by Design of St. Louis, is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold.

Post-Dispatch podcasts page: https://go.stltoday.com/0hfn43

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Throngs of Cardinals fans got accustomed to seeing successful baseball.

The Cardinals got accumstomed to seeing throngs of fans.

Now both are facing the prospects of neither.

That's how St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist Jeff Gordon puts it when he joins baseball writer Derrick Goold for this brand new Best Podcast in Baseball. The two staff writers for StlToday.com discuss the stunning lack of attendance for a four-game visit from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and how the Pirates sure do have plenty of power pitching, but they also present a cautionary tale for the Cardinals about the gravitational pull of the perpetual rebuild's black hole. There are ways for the Cardinals to pull out of that outcome.

Goold likens the situation to a space launch. Sure, the Cardinals can spend time engineering and building a homegrown shuttle, but eventually it's going to take the booster rockets from spending on outside help to get it off the ground and out of low-hovering orbit.

In its 13th season as one of the first and most widely heard podcasts on baseball and the Cardinals, the Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored weekly by Closets by Design of St. Louis, is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold.

Post-Dispatch podcasts page: https://go.stltoday.com/0hfn43

Please consider subscribing: https://go.stltoday.com/9aigz5

During a lengthy rain delay before the finale of the Cardinals' visit to Tampa Bay, St. Louis Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold and Tampa Bay Rays baseball writer Marc Topkin discuss transfers of power on their beats and how they contribute to a clouded forecast. In St. Louis, former Rays executive Chaim Bloom is positioned to take over as president of baseball operations in the coming month, and Topkin offers insight about the role Bloom had with the Rays, where to find his fingerprints on player development, and why he just might have the best resume possible to lead the Cardinals' front office. In Tampa Bay, the Rays are paying rent at the Yankees' spring training ballpark, George Steinbrenner Field, due to hurricana damage at Tropicana Park. The Rays feel like they're perpetually on the precipice teetertottering between having strong established roots in Tampa Bay or packing up and going to another city. New ownership may change that -- but they'll need a ballpark. They appear to have a fan base, one that owes some of its interest in baseball to the Cardinals and all the decades they spent calling St. Petersburg, Florida, home for spring training.

The Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored weekly by Closets by Design of St. Louis, is its 13th season. BPIB is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold.

Post-Dispatch podcasts page: https://go.stltoday.com/0hfn43

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The Cardinals' begin their final three-series home stand of the season with a reunion. Yadier Molina returns to St. Louis for the first time since 2023 and will be in uniform for the first time since 2022 as he joins Oliver Marmol's staff for two games against the Cubs at the invitation of the manaer. Molina is the first of seven things to watch during the home stand that welcomes the Cubs, Rockies, and Yankees for nine games in 10 days. St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist Jeff Gordon and baseball writer Derrick Goold list the other three things each they are looking for in the next week at Busch Stadium. Attendance is on the list, especially with two brand-name opponnents. But so is the bullpen, Jordan Walker's swing, Nolan Gorman's playing time, and in the coming weeks what appetite the Cardinals have to discuss contract extensions with any of the young players.

In its 13th season as one of the first and most popular Cardinals-related podcasts, the Best Podcast in Baseball in sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis. BPIB is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold.

Post-Dispatch podcasts page: https://go.stltoday.com/0hfn43

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As the Cardinals approach the onrushing July 31 trade deadline, what if the moves made (or not made) are just prelude to a larger overhaul of the organization in the opening months of Chaim Bloom's tenure leading baseball operations.

A simple, direct, but essential question about whether the Cardinals four months into their "runway" season have identified the core of their next contending team prompts a lengthy discussion about what's still missing, what hasn't emerged, and what players have made their best case to be part of the foundation upon which Bloom is expected to build a contending team?

That is where the conversation between St. Louis Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold and KMOX/104.1 FM host Kevin Wheeler continues, and where it goes touches on future talents, the need for stars, and even the environment at the ballpark.

In its 13th season as one of the first and most popular Cardinals-related podcasts, the Best Podcast in Baseball in sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis. BPIB is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold.

Post-Dispatch podcasts page: https://go.stltoday.com/0hfn43

Please consider subscribing: https://go.stltoday.com/9aigz5

As Major League Baseball's July 31 trade deadline rapidly approaches, so does another opportunity for the Cardinals to choose a side. Are they riding this "runway" toward the future, or are they going to tighten the race for the National League's third wild card to a point that they stand pat or add on the edges of the roster?

The Cardinals' trends of risk aversion and playing it down the middle is about to be challenged.

And, at the same time, the trade deadline may invite more questions than they have answers.

In Part 1 of an extended conversation about the Cardinals at the trade deadline (Part 1) and the Cardinals nearing the Chaim Bloom takeover (Part 2), KMOX/104.1 FM's Kevin Wheeler joins St. Louis Post-Dispatch lead baseball writer Derrick Goold to discuss all the implications of moves the Cardinals could make, and why a "soft buy" or "slight sell" may be more of the same even if either is the right move for 2025.

This episode ends with a provocative question about what have the Cardinals really learned about their next generation of contenders from the season.

In its 13th season as one of the first and most popular Cardinals-related podcasts, the Best Podcast in Baseball in sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis. BPIB is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold.

Post-Dispatch podcasts page: https://go.stltoday.com/0hfn43

Please consider subscribing: https://go.stltoday.com/9aigz5

With Major League Baseball's July 31 trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Cardinals are still considering what direction they'll head. The front office has wished for "tough decisions" at the deadline and "excitement," while acknowledging that the way they head may not be clear 72 hours ahead of the deadline, if at all. History suggests they'll explore the nebulous middle -- neither seller nor buyer, adding to patch holes this year and beyond without giving up too much from the future for now. The wild card this season is it's John Mozeliak's last trade deadline as president of baseball operations, and is there one last trick he'd like to pull before yielding his office and desk to Chaim Bloom?

Sports columnist Jeff Gordon joins baseball writer Derrick Goold to discuss the deadline, the All-Star Game's bananas finish, and deliver his midterm grades on every corner of the Cardinals' roster.

Did he grade on a curve? Or did he stick to the standards of past years?

In its 13th season as one of the leading podcasts covering the Cardinals and discussing baseball, the Best Podcast in Baseball is brought to listeners weekly by Closets by Design of St. Louis. BPIB is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold.

Post-Dispatch podcasts page: https://go.stltoday.com/0hfn43

Please consider subscribing: https://go.stltoday.com/9aigz5

It has been more than a generation since the Cardinals picked in the top five for the MLB Draft, and in a week the Cardinals have a chance for a transformative selection that could come define their next era.

A confluence of events meet them at the MLB Draft in Atlanta on Sunday as they hold the No. 5 pick a year after taking J.J. Wetherholt at No. 7, they are deep into a transition year with a new front office leader poised to take over, and they are certain to have access to one of the top three college pitchers available in this draft.

To capture and explore this moment in Cardinals' draft history, Baseball America editor in chief J.J. Cooper joins the Best Podcast in Baseball. With St. Louis Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold, Cooper discusses the scope of talent available in the 2025 draft, trends that suggest where the Cardinals will look, and the upside of the talent likely available to them at No. 5. Matt Holliday's son, Ethan, is not expected to get past the Colorado Rockies at No. 4. If he does get to No. 5, the Cardinals are poised to select him. If not, there will be a high-ceiling high school infielder available, an established college shortstop available, or at least one of the three top college lefties.

Cooper and Goold discuss how the choice could reveal the Cardinals' view of their ability to contend. Florida State lefty Jamie Arnold would be a pick that reaches the majors within 12 months as more and more early picks are doing. Oklahoma high schooler Eli Willits, Reggie's son, would be a longer-term pick who might impact the Cardinals most as they enter the 2030s.

Baseball America will flood the zone with coverage from the MLB Draft that begins in primetime Sunday night from Atlanta and concludes Monday. Follow Baseball America on YouTube for recent conversations about sleeper prospects in the minors, including Cardinals' Class AA starter Ixan Henderson.

The Post-Dispatch will be present at the draft to bring coverage of the Cardinals' first pick and then coverage throughout the week from the All-Star Game festivities at Atlanta's Truist Park.

In its 13th season as one of the go-to podcasts on Cardinals baseball, the Best Podcast in Baseball is sponsored by Closets by Design of St. Louis. It is a production of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, StlToday.com, and Derrick Goold.