Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals

Nolan Arenado to the Los Angeles Angels? The blockbuster trade buzz heats up as Mike Frisch, John Frisch, and JD Hafron debate whether acquiring the future Hall of Famer is what the Angels need after moving on from Anthony Rendon. Could Arenado’s defensive brilliance and veteran presence spark a turnaround for the Halos, or are injury concerns and declining power too much to ignore?

The conversation breaks down Arenado’s contract de...

St. Louis Cardinals face a pivotal season as young stars Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II look to ignite a new era. Can Winn’s elite defense and maturing plate approach, paired with Scott’s electrifying speed, restore excitement to the Cardinals’ lineup and push past recent struggles? Key positions and player health—especially Ivan Herrera’s bat and versatility—could make or break the 2026 campaign.

JD Hafron spotlights roster shakeup...

St. Louis Cardinals brace for a franchise-altering shake-up as trade rumors swirl around Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan. Could a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Angels finally send Arenado home to Southern California? JD Hafron breaks down the latest whispers, the lingering Alex Bregman free agency effect on the third base market, and why St. Louis may be forced to eat a major chunk of salary to move their All-Star infield...

St. Louis Cardinals eye a bright future as two catchers—Jimmy Crooks and Rainiel Rodriguez—earn recognition as top bounce-back and breakout candidates for 2026. With Ivan Herrera’s power bat, Pedro Pagés’ defense, and emerging prospects Leonardo Bernal and Rodriguez surging up MLB Pipeline’s rankings, could the Cardinals’ catching corps become a cornerstone of their next contending team?

JD Hafron spotlights the depth at catcher, an...

St. Louis Cardinals may be nearing a surprising trade pivot—could Nolan Arenado be on the move to the Seattle Mariners instead of Brendan Donovan? JD Hafron breaks down the ongoing trade speculation swirling between the Cardinals and Mariners, raising questions about Arenado’s declining offense, JoJo Romero’s potential as a trade sweetener, and what Seattle really needs to complete its World Series puzzle. The conversation spotligh...

St. Louis Cardinals target right-handed power to fill key roster gaps. JD Hafron and Thomas Gauvain debate which free agents and trade possibilities—like Harrison Bader, Miguel Andujar, and Jo Adell—could deliver the right spark in 2026. With the club’s lineup skewing left-handed after the departure of Willson Contreras and looming questions around Nolan Arenado, who will step up to add thump from the right side? From Christmas wis...

St. Louis Cardinals eye a potential blockbuster with the Boston Red Sox for Brendan Donovan, sparking speculation over a third major trade this offseason. Is St. Louis risking too much or positioning for a brighter future? JD Hafron unpacks fresh rumors, dissecting what a Donovan move could mean for the Cardinals' roster shakeup and the Red Sox's infield needs. Intriguing questions surround management's aggressive trading approach ...

St. Louis Cardinals shake up their future by trading Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox for three right-handed pitchers. Hunter Dobbins joins the rotation mix, despite injury concerns, while Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita offer upside as potential long-term assets. The team’s shift opens the door for Alec Burleson to take over first base and spotlights rising prospects in a retooled roster.

JD Hafron examines how boosting pitch...

St. Louis Cardinals bet big on Dustin May as he joins the rotation, sparking hopes of a fresh start for both player and team. After battling a life-threatening esophagus tear and season-ending neuritis, can May’s rejuvenated arm and added strength restore his promising career and elevate the Cardinals’ young pitching staff?

0:00 — Dustin May Press Conference
10:00 — Cardinals Trade Rumors & Strategy
22:35 — Rule 5 Draft & Yankees Take...

St. Louis Cardinals risk missing a golden trade opportunity as the reliever market surges—will holding JoJo Romero shake up their season plans? JD Hafron breaks down the frenzy for bullpen arms across Major League Baseball, examining key moves by rivals and questioning whether the Cardinals should still move their top lefty or double down for playoff depth.

Other hot topics include Dustin May’s finalized contract, Rainiel Rodriguez’...

Brendan Donovan’s trade value surges as the St. Louis Cardinals field aggressive offers—can the front office land a major league-ready starting pitcher or top prospects in exchange? The Braves’ eye-popping $20 million deal for Ha-Seong Kim sets a new market standard, putting a spotlight on the urgency and stakes surrounding Donovan’s future in St. Louis.

JD Hafron breaks down the implications for the Cardinals’ roster and bullpen, i...

St. Louis Cardinals make a high-upside gamble, signing right-handed pitcher Dustin May to a one-year deal with a mutual option. Can May revive his career and anchor a rotation full of question marks? JD Hafron examines the risks and rewards of this move, weighing May’s electric stuff and postseason experience against his extensive injury history and recent health setbacks.

Trade rumors swirl as Brendan Donovan attracts aggressive of...

St. Louis Cardinals spark trade buzz as the Boston Red Sox target Willson Contreras for first base, reigniting a familiar pipeline between the clubs. With Brendan Donovan also rumored, speculation intensifies—will the Cardinals capitalize on market demand or hold their core? Unexpected twists in the reliever market and growing fan impatience add extra intrigue as major roster decisions loom.

JD Hafron spotlights looming bullpen upgr...

St. Louis Cardinals' trade buzz heats up as Willson Contreras and Lars Nootbaar attract major interest from the New York Mets following Pete Alonso's blockbuster move to Baltimore. Are the Cardinals ready to shake up their roster, and what could a deal mean for the club's youth movement and future prospects? JD Hafron breaks down possible trade scenarios, top Mets prospects, and the shifting priorities in the Cardinals organization...

St. Louis Cardinals tumble in the MLB Draft lottery, dropping from the eighth-best odds for the No. 1 pick all the way to unlucky No. 13. Can they still uncover a hidden gem in a draft spot that’s produced stars like Manny Ramirez and Chris Sale? JD Hafron unpacks the surprising fallout, breaks down mock draft predictions including Virginia standout AJ Gracia, and explores what this setback means for the Cardinals’ ongoing rebuild.

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St. Louis Cardinals eye under-the-radar upgrades as the Rule 5 Draft approaches. Can a savvy bullpen addition like Peyton Pallette or a power lefty such as Felipe De La Cruz become game-changers for the 2026 roster? Host JD Hafron, joined by Thomas Gauvain of RedbirdRants.com, breaks down the top unprotected minor league arms that could fit the Cardinals’ needs and evaluates the internal risk of losing Pete Hansen.

Trade rumors swir...

St. Louis Cardinals pivot from perennial contenders to bold sellers—can this hard reset spark a winning future? JD Hafron spotlights the Cardinals’ long-overdue commitment to rebuilding, with stars like Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, and JoJo Romero on the trade block. Key questions arise: Will aggressive moves under new President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom finally pay dividends, and which veterans have seen their last day...

A blockbuster mock trade has Brendan Donovan and Jordan Walker emerge as prime assets in a potential deal with the Kansas City Royals. Could lefty Kris Bubic and prospect Ben Kudrna give the Cardinals the pitching depth they desperately need? The ongoing search for starting pitchers heats up as winter meetings approach, with rumors swirling around high-impact moves and standout prospects across Major League Baseball.

0:00 – Cardinal...

St. Louis Cardinals shake up MLB by sending Sonny Gray and $20 million to the Boston Red Sox for pitching prospects Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke. Can Gray shore up Boston's rotation and fill the void left by Lucas Giolito, or will his late-career home run issues haunt Fenway Park? JD and Gabby break down the immediate impact, debate whether Boston’s rotation still needs a true No. 2 starter, and analyze Fitt’s potential as a mu...