Kyle Reis of The Cardinal Nation joins the show for a deep dive into the Cardinals’ farm system and what’s coming soon to St. Louis. We talk realistic MLB roles for Nathan Church (praise be), Victor Scott II, Fermin, and JJ, and whether Blaze Jordan is truly a big-league player. Plus: Deniel Ortiz hype, prospect ranking disagreements, why Chase Davis and Yairo Padilla might be flying under the radar, we start our NL Central previews with a deep dive on the Reds, and the latest league news.

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Ben Clemens of FanGraphs joins the show to break down where the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals are headed, from win expectations and outfield needs to Chaim Bloom’s “down to the studs” rebuild and the strategy behind recent trades and draft-pick flexibility. We dive into the upside-heavy approach highlighted by Jurrangelo Cijntje and other recent additions, react to FanGraphs’ updated Cardinals prospect rankings, see a sneak preview of a new feature on Fangraphs, and wrap with a quick spin around the latest league news.

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Pitchers and catchers are officially in camp, and we’re breaking down the early storylines — including Jurrangelo Cijntje throwing from both sides, a bullpen swap that brings George Soriano to St. Louis, and Bryan Ramos joining the infield mix. We also dive into Victor Scott II’s revamped swing, the possibility of a six-man rotation, a fresh Top 53 prospects list from FanGraphs, and a look at the Cardinals’ massive new spring training complex. Plus, league news featuring Corbin Carroll’s surgery and the state of the free agent market. 

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The Cardinals get it done, trading Brendan Donovan in a blockbuster that brings switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, outfielders Tai Peete and Colton Ledbetter, plus extra draft capital to St. Louis. We break down what the deal means for the Opening Day lineup, discuss Bloom’s search for an outfield bat, Miguel Andujar landing in San Diego, and the Cardinals moving to an MLB-run broadcast model in 2026, along with rumors, World Series talk, and the latest league news.

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ZiPS creator Dan Szymborski joins us to break down the Cardinals projections, biggest surprises, cats, funny voices, and what the data says about the rebuild. We discuss Jordan Walker, JJ Wetherholt, McGreevy, and the catcher logjam, plus one bold ZiPS miss to watch for 2026, along with rumors, World Series notes, and league news.

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We react to Nolan Arenado’s candid comments on his exit from St. Louis and what they reveal about the Cardinals’ reset, plus Yadier Molina’s return to the organization in a key developmental role. We also dive into the farm system with Josh Baez’s rising stock and a closer look at Deniel Ortiz. In rumor season, we break down reported Cardinals interest in Griffin Canning, Miguel Andújar, and Austin Hays, then wrap with a busy league news roundup including massive deals for Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger, a Luis Robert Jr. blockbuster, Realmuto reuniting with Philly, and an injury update on Ha-Seong Kim.

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The Cardinals officially close the book on the Nolan Arenado era, trading the longtime third baseman and cash to the Diamondbacks (Butts'n'cracks) and ushering in a new phase for the franchise. We break down what Arenado meant to St. Louis, what the Cardinals are paying to move on, and what they’re getting back in hard-throwing right-hander Jack Martinez. Plus, we hit the rest of a busy offseason with new bullpen additions, growing trade buzz around Brendan Donovan, and a rapid-fire look at major league moves around baseball.

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The Cardinals make yet another bullpen pitching move, but the spotlight stays firmly on JJ Wetherholt as league executives anoint him the early NL Rookie of the Year favorite and the organization’s most important position player since Yadier Molina. We debate whether St. Louis needs a veteran bat to support the youth movement, break down major upgrades coming to spring training facilities in Jupiter, and dive into the growing uncertainty around the Cardinals’ TV future as FanDuel’s financial troubles loom. Plus, jersey-buying dilemmas, Joe Kelly’s retirement, and a round of league news as the offseason keeps delivering.

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The Brendan Donovan trade saga takes center stage as the Cardinals slow-play their best asset, hoping to turn patience into a real prospect haul while the market shifts around them. We break down why Contreras moved first, how Arizona’s Ketel Marte situation could reshape Donovan’s value, and where teams like the Mariners, Giants, and Red Sox fit in. Plus, the Arenado market remains frozen as St. Louis waits on bigger dominoes to fall, the offseason clock keeps ticking toward Spring Training, and league news includes Anthony Rendon’s Angels exit, a long-term deal in Oakland, and Team USA loading up for the WBC.

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In this historic, recorded live and in person, 200th episode, we discuss how the Cardinals make another major offseason move, sending Willson Contreras to Boston in a cash-assisted deal headlined by right-hander Hunter Dobbins. We break down what St. Louis is getting in Dobbins — his injury, stuff, and fit under Chaim Bloom — plus minor league depth additions and the team’s search for a right-handed outfield bat. Around the league, O’Hearn lands in Pittsburgh, Murakami heads to Chicago, and we check in on the World Series as the hot stove keeps moving.

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Talking About Birds is listener supported on Patreon. Support the show and join our private discord server at: www.patreon.com/talkingaboutbirds.