Chaim Bloom: Caught in the Middle and Paying the Price
As the Boston Red Sox’s chief baseball officer in 2022 and 2023, Chaim Bloom was no stranger to the pressure of the MLB Trade Deadline. With his team hovering around .500 and fighting for a playoff spot, Bloom was tasked with making crucial decisions that could make or break their season.
But unfortunately for Bloom, neither of his strategies paid off. Despite his best efforts, the Red Sox stumbled and fell after both deadlines, finishing with a disappointing 78-84 record and landing in last place in the American League East.
And as a result, Bloom found himself out of a job.
It’s a familiar story for Bloom, who has often found himself caught in the middle of difficult situations throughout his career. But this time, the consequences were dire.
After two tumultuous years with the Red Sox, Bloom’s tenure came to an abrupt end. And while he may have been used to the pressure, he certainly wasn’t prepared for the ultimate outcome.
Now, as he reflects on his time with the Red Sox, Bloom can’t help but wonder what could have been. But one thing is for sure: he won’t be caught in the middle again anytime soon.
Chaim Bloom: Caught in the Middle Again, This Time with the St. Louis Cardinals
Chaim Bloom is no stranger to being caught in the middle. As the former chief baseball officer for the Boston Red Sox in 2022 and 2023, he faced the MLB Trade Deadline with a team hovering around .500 and on the brink of playoff contention. However, his strategies of buying and selling at the same time and doing nothing ultimately led to his dismissal, as the Red Sox crashed and burned after both deadlines.
Now, as an advisor in the St. Louis Cardinals’ front office, Bloom finds himself in a similar situation. With the July 31 deadline looming, the Cardinals are just one game over .500 and 3.5 games out of the third wild card spot in the National League. It’s a tough spot to be in, with the playoffs still within reach but statistically unlikely. According to FanGraphs’ MLB playoff odds, St. Louis only has a 15.8% chance of making the postseason after losing 15 of its last 22 games.
Based on his past experiences with the Red Sox, Bloom will likely advise Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak to hold or sell. With Bloom set to replace Mozeliak after the season, he will likely want to have as much flexibility and assets to work with as possible. It would not be wise for Mozeliak to make desperate moves and sacrifice the future in an attempt to save his job, especially with the team trending in the wrong direction.
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As a result, it is expected that the Cardinals will have a relatively quiet trade deadline. Two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley is likely to be moved before reaching free agency, and there is a possibility that Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray could be shopped as well. However, the Cardinals will likely only make minor moves to acquire prospects, rather than any major splashes.
Bloom has not made any significant midseason trades in the past, and it is unlikely that he will change his approach this year with the Cardinals in a similar position and their front office in transition.
