It looks like Chaim Bloom is set to become the President of Baseball Operations. If that happens, the Cardinals should invest in the team to allow him to demonstrate his capabilities.
The writing has been on the wall for some time now. While nothing is certain, it seems increasingly probable that Chaim Bloom will take over as President of Baseball Operations once John Mozeliak steps down, potentially sooner than expected. If this happens, the Cardinals might benefit from adopting a strategy similar to the Dodgers by providing Bloom with a growing payroll to manage.
I’m not suggesting that the Cardinals should aim to match the Dodgers’ payroll. It’s unrealistic to expect the team to start spending a billion dollars in a single offseason, even for top-tier superstars.
However, looking back to 2014, there might be a valuable lesson to learn. In October of that year, the Dodgers made Andrew Friedman the highest-paid front-office executive in baseball, offering him $35 million over five years (a contract that has since been extended) to become President of Baseball Operations. Friedman had previously been with the Rays, starting in 2003 and becoming the team’s general manager in 2005. Under his leadership, the Rays made their first playoff appearance and reached their first World Series.
Friedman perfected the Rays’ renowned approach of making smart, frugal decisions to succeed in a challenging market. He was named Baseball Executive of the Year by The Sporting News and achieved unprecedented success in Tampa Bay.
The Dodgers were impressed by Friedman’s analytical approach and likely wondered: What could he accomplish with a substantial payroll? Since Friedman took over, the Dodgers’ payroll rankings have been as follows: first, first, first, third, fourth, first, first, first, sixth, sixth. During this period, the Dodgers have never won fewer than 90 games (except for the 2020 COVID season, where the team went 43-17 and won the World Series). It turns out that pairing the former Rays’ leader with a substantial payroll was a perfect combination.
Now we look at Chaim Bloom, who rose to Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Rays after Friedman left. Bloom, who started as an intern with the Rays in 2005, continued Friedman’s work, maintaining a winning team in Tampa Bay despite similar payroll constraints.
If Bloom takes over in St. Louis, the Cardinals might consider emulating the Dodgers’ strategy and see what he can do with more financial resources.
The Cardinals already spend a respectable amount, ranking 12th in the league in team contracts this year, which is commendable for a smaller market team. However, they are known for being cautious with free agency spending, regardless of the need. The recent signing of Sonny Gray to a larger contract was a positive step, but it’s still unclear what kind of superstar would compel the team to exceed John Mozeliak’s infamous budget limits.
If there’s ever a time for the Cardinals to loosen the purse strings in free agency, it would be with Bloom at the helm. Allowing the man who succeeded in Tampa Bay to combine his smart management skills with financial strength could be a winning formula.
There is, however, an important consideration. Bloom already had an opportunity to run a large-market team with the Red Sox, and aside from one playoff appearance, his tenure was disappointing.
Some context is necessary. Following Dave Dombrowski’s leadership, which resulted in the highest payroll in the sport before Bloom took over, the Red Sox were determined to reduce salary. The decision to trade Mookie Betts, which has haunted Bloom, is a prime example.
Bloom’s stint with the Red Sox was undoubtedly a failure, but it seemed inevitable given the team’s attempt to follow the Rays’ model of affordable sustainability.
Perhaps it’s time to see what Bloom can truly achieve with a team that is committed to spending.
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