Derrick Goold
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dgoold.bsky.social
Derrick Goold
@dgoold.bsky.social
Baseball writer. Postcard scribbler. Pencil enthusiast. Craic backer. Lapsed cartoonist. World record INF. 5x APSE No. 1 beat scribe.

Friendly neighborhood word slinger.
Reposted by Derrick Goold
LRS:

1) a nice read from @dgoold.bsky.social about said Flood letter.
2) If you can, find yourself a copy of "A Well-Paid Slave: Curt Flood's Fight for Free Agency in Professional Sports"
On Dec. 24, 1969, Curt Flood mailed a letter that changed baseball history
By rejecting a trade, Cardinals outfielder launched a labor relations revolution that led to free agency for players — and cost him his career.
www.stltoday.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Derrick Goold
Contreras, under his renegotiated deal, makes $18M in 2026, $17M in 2027, and has a $20M team option with a $7.5M buyout - so a guarantee of $42.5M, and a chance to earn up to $55M. The Cardinals are sending $8M to the Sox in the deal. As a result, Contreras is valued at $17.25M for CBT purposes.
December 22, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Reposted by Derrick Goold
I know Hunter Dobbins has been mentioned as the better part of the Cardinals' return tonight, but a lot to like about Yhoiker Fajardo. Moved quickly past the FCL to Single-A at just 18yo and fanned 27.8% of batters faced at the higher level. A pair of good fastballs; slider and kick-change earn 55s.
December 22, 2025 at 1:33 AM
#Cardinals trade Willson Contreras to Boston Red Sox.

Here are the complete deals on the move, with more coverage coming: www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Cardinals trading Willson Contreras to Red Sox for Hunter Dobbins, 2 prospect pitchers
In exchange for Contreras and cash, the Cardinals are receiving three right-handed pitchers: Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita.
www.stltoday.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Cardinals broadcast partner skips payment. Club says latest hiccup won't limit fan access.
www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Cardinals broadcast partner skips payment. Club says latest hiccup won't limit fan access.
FanDuel Sports Network's parent company did not meet obligations to Cardinals, leaving them with two outcomes for 2026, neither likely to disrupt if fans have access.
www.stltoday.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Chat, wrapped.

More than 18,000 words this week. That qualifies as a novella, #Cardinals fans.

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Goold's chat: Is Cardinals' focus on pitching overlooking need for hitter prospects, too?
A lively chat that ranges from the Cardinals' pursuit of young pitchers to whether they are in for a longer rebuild than advertised unless MLB changes.
www.stltoday.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:49 AM
5 things we learned about the #stlcards at the Winter Meetings -- including four detailing their approach and market for specific players and a fifth that suggests, hey, there was a fan base who had a really awful week ...

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Goold: 5 things we learned at winter meetings about Cardinals' approach, MLB hot stove
The Cardinals made progress on multiple fronts and even felt some momentum in their trade talks before heading back to St. Louis for what could be a busy week ahead.
www.stltoday.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Forget all of the trade talk, here is the real deal for the Cardinals.

What are they going to sell their fans on?

I asked Chaim Bloom ...
www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
With trades likely, here's the real deal for Cardinals: What's their sales pitch to fans?
'We don’t feel like we’re building this core from scratch,' says new president Chaim Bloom, who had a lengthy answer on what club owes its committed fanbase.
www.stltoday.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
He stitched together Cardinals' greatest eras, and now Butch Yatkeman is honored in Hall

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
He stitched together Cardinals' greatest eras, and now Butch Yatkeman is honored in Hall
The constant through Cardinals' first nine World Series titles was Morris "Butch" Yatkeman, clubhouse manager who was recently honored by his peers in Cooperstown.
www.stltoday.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Cardinals set to be MLB revenue-sharing recipient for first time. What does that mean?
www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Cardinals set to be MLB revenue-sharing recipient for first time. What does that mean?
One benefit of 'slipping' out of the neutral zone between luxury tax payers and "payees" is immediately obvious with the MLB Draft Lottery next month.
www.stltoday.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Sonny Gray has waived his no-trade clause to help finalize a deal to Boston Red Sox.

News here: www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Cardinals finalizing trade to send Sonny Gray to Boston Red Sox, per sources
The trade is in the process of being finalized, a source told the Post-Dispatch.
www.stltoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Derrick Goold
So glad this @dgoold.bsky.social profile includes one the greatest player quotes of all-time.

“No research, nothing. Straight to the monkey.”

This former Cardinals All-Star is poised to get the call to Cooperstown in 2 months
Carlos Beltran, on the writers' ballot for a fourth year, is on the brink of induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His career shaped vs. and with Cardinals.
www.stltoday.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
5 prospects who need Rule 5 protection.

Daniel Guerrero has an excellent rundown of the Cardinals decisions before today's deadline.

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
5 Rule 5 draft-eligible Cardinals prospects to know ahead of roster protection deadline
Major League Baseball's deadline to protect players eligible for Dec. 10's Rule 5 draft is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Ahead of the deadline, here are five eligible Cardinals prospects to know.
www.stltoday.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:54 PM
#stlcards chat was a bit stop-and-go yesterday (all my fault) and now access to questions has collapsed (web outing).

Still, there was a lively discussion around this theme:

Do you Cardinals need to trade to create spot for Wetherholt?

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Goold's chat: Do you Cardinals need to make a trade to create spot for JJ Wetherholt?
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Greetings. Welcome to the weekly Cardinals chat here at StlToday. I'm set up here in Columbia, Missouri, just a few feet from Mizzou's campus. Getting a chance
www.stltoday.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Trade talks galore give Cardinals 1st chance to flex improved scouting

Chaim Bloom wants it kicked into “overdrive.”

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Goold: Trade talks galore give Cardinals 1st chance to flex improved scouting
In first month leading front office, Chaim Bloom has augmented player evaluation with staff hires, new practices to 'kick it into overdrive.' Trades will be early test.
www.stltoday.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Fear and punning in Las Vegas.

Come for the dad jokes, but stay for Boras' stinging comment about media rights fees and the bell he's ringing about the spot prop-bets put pitchers in with just a simple wild pitch ...

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Fear and punning in Las Vegas: Agent Scott Boras delivers a warning, and some dad jokes
Departing briefly from his one-liners and zingers on his free-agent talent, the agent rang an alarm on how recent gambling indictments can warp perception for all pitchers.
www.stltoday.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:17 PM
I had an NL MVP ballot this year.
This was my final vote, submitted to BBWAA.
Love you, Phillies fans.
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 AM
It's where and when not if Albert Pujols will manage in the majors, according to the two execs who interviewed him for their open positions.

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Only 'a matter of time before' Albert Pujols manages in majors, baseball execs say
During a lengthy interview with Padres about their opening at manager, three-time MVP was 'super impressive,' made it clear he 'really wants to do this.'
www.stltoday.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Brendan Donovan is among the most-coveted hitters in trade talks already this winter.

Cardinals are listening.
Does that mean they will be capitalizing?

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Cardinals All-Star Brendan Donovan among most coveted hitters in trade talks: sources
Cardinals are fielding overtures (and looking to maximize return) for cost-controlled Gold Glove-winner who fits a mid-market payroll and offers versatility for other moves.
www.stltoday.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The #Cardinals are shopping for at least a starter.
The #stlcards are also entertaining offers for their best starter.

What gives?

Chaim Bloom had a lot to say today ...

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Why Cardinals are shopping for a starter while open to trading their top starter, Sonny Gray
With an eye for long-term upside and future cores, Chaim Bloom is exploring trades for starters and says Cardinals aren't ruling out spending or 'multi-year' offers.
www.stltoday.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM
When is the Cardinals next window to win? Their trade conversations will start to reveal when they think it is.

www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
When is Cardinals' next window to win? Trade talks will reveal new timeline
As GM meetings open, Chaim Bloom says, "We want to be able to leverage roster spots as much as possible toward" a future goal.
www.stltoday.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Here are key dates and key decisions for Cardinals this offseason. And they start today.

That includes their decison on gormer first-rounder Zack Thompson … www.stltoday.com/sports/profe...
Here are key dates and key decisions for Cardinals this offseason. And they start today.
Cardinals must reduce 40-player roster to 40 by Thursday, forcing a decision with a former first-rounder. And there are more deadlines ahead to spur movement.
www.stltoday.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:10 PM