I’m happy where the Cardinals are

[hilton head is 4 idiots]

I have no dog in this fight….

but all this talk about signing superstar players….

The idea that these guys are just sitting by the phone, desperately wishing, praying the cards call is just fantasy…

Cards fan need to accept a more reasonable understanding of where St. Louis is the list of desirable locations

Now….please carry on..

Very possible, likely even. We all remember Stanton rejecting a trade here.

HOWEVER, I still think that for a lot of guys, winning will cure a lot of those ills. Build a team and a culture that says “we’re serious about going for championships around here,” and you’ll find people who want to come. Ohtani/Soto types? Probably not. But this can be a desirable place for top FA talent if the will is there for ownership.

Good thoughts….

However, it’s clear the will is not there for this ownership……so the focus, obsession on free agent spending is meaningless…not going to happen..

The club is in a transition to building from within….for what little my opinion is worth, I think that is their most realistic option…

Although, I don’t have a lot of confidence they can successfully pull it off as other clubs have

No question that building from within is the best foundation for this organization. And I think if they can build that foundation, a top-tier free agent (again, not necessary a generational, Ohtani-type) can be in play to be “the icing on the cake.”

But I’m with you — I have no confidence in their ability to actually pull it off. The owner doesn’t care enough.

Financial dynamics have changed. Small to mid-sized markets no longer have a chance.

Several posters with good and valid points. The real "RESET" DeWitt is interested in is coming in 2027.

Cardinals have shown with the acquisitions of Goldschmidt, Arenado, Contreras, and Gray they will eagerly add key players thru both free agency and trades.

What they will not do is get into bidding wars which escalate to the level of 3 years for $120 million and higher on the current union contract.

We will see a majority of teams holding firm against the Ohtani/Soto type contracts.

See, I think a 3-year, $40M AAV is right where they need to be. If they don’t want to get into 10, 13, 15-year deals, I can respect that in this market. But be smart. Be clever — build a roster that can win, but offer a premier free agent the chance to win their ring at a high AAV and give them another shot at the FA market in a few years. Not everyone is going to go for it for sure, but some just might.

That’s how the Cardinals will succeed; by being smarter and better at player development, and aggressive at the right times. Not by letting the minor league system atrophy, cutting payroll, and throwing up their hands and saying “enjoy the regular season.”

In reality, top teams need 3-4 star players; so that why I don't see DeWitt paying $40 million AAV.

The next Union Contract will be the ultimate battle to slow the huge increases in salary from escalation further.

4 players at $25-$30 million is far different than 4 @ $40-$50 million each.

[Cranny]

I have no dog in this fight….

but all this talk about signing superstar players….

The idea that these guys are just sitting by the phone, desperately wishing, praying the cards call is just fantasy…

Cards fan need to accept a more reasonable understanding of where St. Louis is the list of desirable locations

Now….please carry on..

Very possible, likely even. We all remember Stanton rejecting a trade here.

HOWEVER, I still think that for a lot of guys, winning will cure a lot of those ills. Build a team and a culture that says “we’re serious about going for championships around here,” and you’ll find people who want to come. Ohtani/Soto types? Probably not. But this can be a desirable place for top FA talent if the will is there for ownership.

Good thoughts….

However, it’s clear the will is not there for this ownership……so the focus, obsession on free agent spending is meaningless…not going to happen..

The club is in a transition to building from within….for what little my opinion is worth, I think that is their most realistic option…

Although, I don’t have a lot of confidence they can successfully pull it off as other clubs have

No question that building from within is the best foundation for this organization. And I think if they can build that foundation, a top-tier free agent (again, not necessary a generational, Ohtani-type) can be in play to be “the icing on the cake.”

But I’m with you — I have no confidence in their ability to actually pull it off. The owner doesn’t care enough.

Financial dynamics have changed. Small to mid-sized markets no longer have a chance.

Several posters with good and valid points. The real "RESET" DeWitt is interested in is coming in 2027.

Cardinals have shown with the acquisitions of Goldschmidt, Arenado, Contreras, and Gray they will eagerly add key players thru both free agency and trades.

What they will not do is get into bidding wars which escalate to the level of 3 years for $120 million and higher on the current union contract.

We will see a majority of teams holding firm against the Ohtani/Soto type contracts.

See, I think a 3-year, $40M AAV is right where they need to be. If they don’t want to get into 10, 13, 15-year deals, I can respect that in this market. But be smart. Be clever — build a roster that can win, but offer a premier free agent the chance to win their ring at a high AAV and give them another shot at the FA market in a few years. Not everyone is going to go for it for sure, but some just might.

That’s how the Cardinals will succeed; by being smarter and better at player development, and aggressive at the right times. Not by letting the minor league system atrophy, cutting payroll, and throwing up their hands and saying “enjoy the regular season.”

In reality, top teams need 3-4 star players; so that why I don't see DeWitt paying $40 million AAV.

The next Union Contract will be the ultimate battle to slow the huge increases in salary from escalation further.

4 players at $25-$30 million is far different than 4 @ $40-$50 million each.

Only way they can return sanity to the game is through revenue sharing.

[thetank2]

I have no dog in this fight….

but all this talk about signing superstar players….

The idea that these guys are just sitting by the phone, desperately wishing, praying the cards call is just fantasy…

Cards fan need to accept a more reasonable understanding of where St. Louis is the list of desirable locations

Now….please carry on..

Very possible, likely even. We all remember Stanton rejecting a trade here.

HOWEVER, I still think that for a lot of guys, winning will cure a lot of those ills. Build a team and a culture that says “we’re serious about going for championships around here,” and you’ll find people who want to come. Ohtani/Soto types? Probably not. But this can be a desirable place for top FA talent if the will is there for ownership.

Good thoughts….

However, it’s clear the will is not there for this ownership……so the focus, obsession on free agent spending is meaningless…not going to happen..

The club is in a transition to building from within….for what little my opinion is worth, I think that is their most realistic option…

Although, I don’t have a lot of confidence they can successfully pull it off as other clubs have

No question that building from within is the best foundation for this organization. And I think if they can build that foundation, a top-tier free agent (again, not necessary a generational, Ohtani-type) can be in play to be “the icing on the cake.”

But I’m with you — I have no confidence in their ability to actually pull it off. The owner doesn’t care enough.

Financial dynamics have changed. Small to mid-sized markets no longer have a chance.

Several posters with good and valid points. The real "RESET" DeWitt is interested in is coming in 2027.

Cardinals have shown with the acquisitions of Goldschmidt, Arenado, Contreras, and Gray they will eagerly add key players thru both free agency and trades.

What they will not do is get into bidding wars which escalate to the level of 3 years for $120 million and higher on the current union contract.

We will see a majority of teams holding firm against the Ohtani/Soto type contracts.

See, I think a 3-year, $40M AAV is right where they need to be. If they don’t want to get into 10, 13, 15-year deals, I can respect that in this market. But be smart. Be clever — build a roster that can win, but offer a premier free agent the chance to win their ring at a high AAV and give them another shot at the FA market in a few years. Not everyone is going to go for it for sure, but some just might.

That’s how the Cardinals will succeed; by being smarter and better at player development, and aggressive at the right times. Not by letting the minor league system atrophy, cutting payroll, and throwing up their hands and saying “enjoy the regular season.”

In reality, top teams need 3-4 star players; so that why I don't see DeWitt paying $40 million AAV.

The next Union Contract will be the ultimate battle to slow the huge increases in salary from escalation further.

4 players at $25-$30 million is far different than 4 @ $40-$50 million each.

Only way they can return sanity to the game is through revenue sharing.

I agree with that. They are lucky they didn't miss on Heyward, Price and Stanton. A big contract or two on the books would be disastrous.

Baseball needs a buyout of large contracts like the NHL has.

[11WSChamps]

We enter the season with question marks but not without hope. I’m comfortable with the rotation and having Mathews, Hence and Roby knocking on the door. I like the talent in the pen and believe Maton was a good add. I fully endorse the decision to keep Helsley to close and play to win. Throughout ST we have tended to walk fewer hitters than our opponents and that speaks well for our pitching as well as our hitters’ patience.

Sure the position players need to play better than last year but I have no reason to think they won’t. The look we are getting of Gorman, Scott II and Herrera is encouraging. I don’t worry about Winn or Noot. Willson will be solid at first. Looking for more from Burleson and Donovan and a spark from Walker. I think Koperniak is ready to step up and make the outfield solid at 4 levels.

Can’t wait to see how fast Davis and JJ move thru the minors. Can’t wait to see who we pick at #5 in the draft. Get a little momentum going in ‘25 and maybe Chaim comes thru in next winter’s FA market.

Listen to the naysayers if you want, this could be an encouraging year.

New too. Perfect situation for failure to force owner to spend. 60-70 wins and -2m fans will show he needs a $180-$200m payroll team with superstars to get back to the winning tradition. Nothing else will work. Has to be a disaster.

Plenty of room for Eeyores. Much rides on health and player development. I’m not against counting on a little luck, even some Cardinal pixie dust, but I don’t believe 90-100 losses for a second. Won’t happen.

Have you seen the youth? Going young with the 23rd ranked farm last year is a recipe for disaster. Teams go young when they have the Orioles type talent in the farm. You must see something no one else does.

I've proven that idiot wrong for so many seasons it's become a rite of spring.

Nothing but a troll shining Mo's desk apples.

What rock did u slide out from under? The only thing you’ve proven is you need tweezers and a magnifying glass to take a leak.

And I see you still have to squat to (bleep) by the side of the road.

I can see all the other four flushers who agree with you here.

Dope.

Wouldn’t it be something if you could see to contributing something constructive rather than taking the usual dump… chump.

Just because people don't agree with your rainbows and unicorns doesn't mean they're gloom and doomers.

The team's surrender this offseason should be proof enough but you keep on being you.

Being "contsructive" shouldn't mean gaslighting other posters who know better.

I could not care less who agrees or disagrees with my beliefs. I share my thoughts and defend them without rancor or personal attacks until someone like you comes along and gets very personal.

I don’t see a surrender this off-season, just a way to get from A to B. You are much more a gaslighter than am I.

You talk about signing Harper in lieu of Leake and Foster even though the contracts are 3 years apart. In fact the Cardinals were acquiring Goldy and Arenado while Philly was chasing Harper. To date Goldschmidt and Harper’s WAR have been roughly equivalent and Harper is in his 32 year season with 8 to go. That contract will be more than ripe the last 4 years or so. Interestingly, Harper produced a 2.5 WAR in ‘22 while Goldy and Arenado managed 15.6 combined. Even if Harper were interested in signing with the Cards it would have ended worse than Goldy’s.

No rancor yet here you are in the first page of the thread calling people doomsayers and hapless gamblers because they don't see your uninformed view of this franchise and how it's tail spinned in the last several years.

Just keep playing the sissy victim card.

My point about Harper and specific time frame and him being a generational player something you wouldn't understand is spot on and everybody here with an ounce of sense and honesty agrees with it.

The direction this team has taken to be at the bottom of this division arguably the worst in baseball is embarrassing and if you can't admit you've been wrong about gaslighing this forum for years than you're stupider than even I could have imagined.

[Voldemort]

All of you who believe that the Cardinals are on track for success realize that this is not just about 2023 and 2024. It will be years before this debacle is righted. 202,2026, 2027, ... will all be about rebuilding while the rest of the NL will be off and running while looking forward to those easy wins against the Cardinals.

[Cranny]

We enter the season with question marks but not without hope. I’m comfortable with the rotation and having Mathews, Hence and Roby knocking on the door. I like the talent in the pen and believe Maton was a good add. I fully endorse the decision to keep Helsley to close and play to win. Throughout ST we have tended to walk fewer hitters than our opponents and that speaks well for our pitching as well as our hitters’ patience.

Sure the position players need to play better than last year but I have no reason to think they won’t. The look we are getting of Gorman, Scott II and Herrera is encouraging. I don’t worry about Winn or Noot. Willson will be solid at first. Looking for more from Burleson and Donovan and a spark from Walker. I think Koperniak is ready to step up and make the outfield solid at 4 levels.

Can’t wait to see how fast Davis and JJ move thru the minors. Can’t wait to see who we pick at #5 in the draft. Get a little momentum going in ‘25 and maybe Chaim comes thru in next winter’s FA market.

Listen to the naysayers if you want, this could be an encouraging year.

New too. Perfect situation for failure to force owner to spend. 60-70 wins and -2m fans will show he needs a $180-$200m payroll team with superstars to get back to the winning tradition. Nothing else will work. Has to be a disaster.

Plenty of room for Eeyores. Much rides on health and player development. I’m not against counting on a little luck, even some Cardinal pixie dust, but I don’t believe 90-100 losses for a second. Won’t happen.

Have you seen the youth? Going young with the 23rd ranked farm last year is a recipe for disaster. Teams go young when they have the Orioles type talent in the farm. You must see something no one else does.

I've proven that idiot wrong for so many seasons it's become a rite of spring.

Nothing but a troll shining Mo's desk apples.

What rock did u slide out from under? The only thing you’ve proven is you need tweezers and a magnifying glass to take a leak.

And I see you still have to squat to (bleep) by the side of the road.

I can see all the other four flushers who agree with you here.

Dope.

Wouldn’t it be something if you could see to contributing something constructive rather than taking the usual dump… chump.

Just because people don't agree with your rainbows and unicorns doesn't mean they're gloom and doomers.

The team's surrender this offseason should be proof enough but you keep on being you.

Being "contsructive" shouldn't mean gaslighting other posters who know better.

I could not care less who agrees or disagrees with my beliefs. I share my thoughts and defend them without rancor or personal attacks until someone like you comes along and gets very personal.

I don’t see a surrender this off-season, just a way to get from A to B. You are much more a gaslighter than am I.

You talk about signing Harper in lieu of Leake and Foster even though the contracts are 3 years apart. In fact the Cardinals were acquiring Goldy and Arenado while Philly was chasing Harper. To date Goldschmidt and Harper’s WAR have been roughly equivalent and Harper is in his 32 year season with 8 to go. That contract will be more than ripe the last 4 years or so. Interestingly, Harper produced a 2.5 WAR in ‘22 while Goldy and Arenado managed 15.6 combined. Even if Harper were interested in signing with the Cards it would have ended worse than Goldy’s.

No rancor yet here you are in the first page of the thread calling people doomsayers and hapless gamblers because they don't see your uninformed view of this franchise and how it's tail spinned in the last several years.

Just keep playing the sissy victim card.

My point about Harper and specific time frame and him being a generational player something you wouldn't understand is spot on and everybody here with an ounce of sense and honesty agrees with it.

The direction this team has taken to be at the bottom of this division arguably the worst in baseball is embarrassing and if you can't admit you've been wrong about gaslighing this forum for years than you're stupider than even I could have imagined.

Revamping is always difficult. Let's see how it plays out, not only in 2025, but beyond.

[BrummerStealsHome]

It’s a team for people who loved to eat at Shoney’s.

(bleep), I could use a Slim Jim right now.

Cards will be at .500 or slightly better this year. Am I happy with that? No, of course not. But I accept that's where they are and I'll try to enjoy the season based on where they are, not where I wish they were. See you at Shoney's.

[Quincy Varnish]

It’s a team for people who loved to eat at Shoney’s.

(bleep), I could use a Slim Jim right now.

Cards will be at .500 or slightly better this year. Am I happy with that? No, of course not. But I accept that's where they are and I'll try to enjoy the season based on where they are, not where I wish they were. See you at Shoney's.

.500 or slightly better might be the best case scenario. I think it could be a realistic expectation pre-ASB, but probably not afterward.

I’m still looking forward to the season, and will be watching/listening all year long, as always.

Good that you’re not applying the “winning is everything” philosophy where it doesn’t belong. It almost sounds reasonable?

[Banner29]

All of you who believe that the Cardinals are on track for success realize that this is not just about 2023 and 2024. It will be years before this debacle is righted. 202,2026, 2027, ... will all be about rebuilding while the rest of the NL will be off and running while looking forward to those easy wins against the Cardinals.

That largely depends on the young kids and how they develop this year. Leaving out the obvious vets like Gray, Arenado, Contreras, Donny. There is talent on the roster.

On the mound you have Matthews and Mcgreevy knocking in the door, with reasonable debate that both should be in the rotation to start out the season. Hence and Roby also could make some noise

In the lineup obviously Walker and Gorman are the 2 to watch for obvious reasons. Theres also Hererra, Scott, Saggese, Winn. Possibly even JJ

All of these kids could completely be a dud and unfortunately that seems more likely than not the way this team struggles to develop young players. But I mean even if half of these kids play to their talent level there’s something to work with going into the 2025 offseason with a lot of money to play with.

The turnaround could be quick, it all hinges on the kids. Tall order I know. But there’s at least some hope

[WLTFE]

Wow...the front office (donkey) kissers are out in full force to support DeTwit and Mo-ran!

[BrummerStealsHome]

It’s a team for people who loved to eat at Shoney’s.

(drat), I could use a Slim Jim right now.

Cards will be at .500 or slightly better this year. Am I happy with that? No, of course not. But I accept that's where they are and I'll try to enjoy the season based on where they are, not where I wish they were. See you at Shoney's.

.500 or slightly better might be the best case scenario. I think it could be a realistic expectation pre-ASB, but probably not afterward.

I’m still looking forward to the season, and will be watching/listening all year long, as always.

Good that you’re not applying the “winning is everything” philosophy where it doesn’t belong. It almost sounds reasonable?

Yeah, almost. Winning is always the goal, but one must stay real.

[desertrat23]

It’s a team for people who loved to eat at Shoney’s.

(drat), I could use a Slim Jim right now.

Cards will be at .500 or slightly better this year. Am I happy with that? No, of course not. But I accept that's where they are and I'll try to enjoy the season based on where they are, not where I wish they were. See you at Shoney's.

.500 or slightly better might be the best case scenario. I think it could be a realistic expectation pre-ASB, but probably not afterward.

I’m still looking forward to the season, and will be watching/listening all year long, as always.

Good that you’re not applying the “winning is everything” philosophy where it doesn’t belong. It almost sounds reasonable?

Yeah, almost. Winning is always the goal, but one must stay real.

Winning is always OUR goal as fans, but not necessarily ownership.

I agree that .500 give or take is the realistic outcome, and I'll try to look at the season in that spirit. We all know this isn't the best effort the organization can put forth, but it is what it is.

[Carp4Cy]

We enter the season with question marks but not without hope. I’m comfortable with the rotation and having Mathews, Hence and Roby knocking on the door. I like the talent in the pen and believe Maton was a good add. I fully endorse the decision to keep Helsley to close and play to win. Throughout ST we have tended to walk fewer hitters than our opponents and that speaks well for our pitching as well as our hitters’ patience.

Sure the position players need to play better than last year but I have no reason to think they won’t. The look we are getting of Gorman, Scott II and Herrera is encouraging. I don’t worry about Winn or Noot. Willson will be solid at first. Looking for more from Burleson and Donovan and a spark from Walker. I think Koperniak is ready to step up and make the outfield solid at 4 levels.

Can’t wait to see how fast Davis and JJ move thru the minors. Can’t wait to see who we pick at #5 in the draft. Get a little momentum going in ‘25 and maybe Chaim comes thru in next winter’s FA market.

Listen to the naysayers if you want, this could be an encouraging year.

Position players need to play a LOT better, and we've already lost Goldy, who led the team in HRs (some here hate that this is true, since you expected losing Goldy to become addition by subtraction - but it isn't with this crew), so we have that to makeup for just to get back to last years very low bar.

There has been so much futilty from the young guys both last year and so far in ST: Walker, Gorman - and I'm not sold on Chase Davis yet either. Sure they have potential, but we keep waiting. That's a lot of hyped 1st round picks to either go bust or just keep waiting on when compared to the constant positive progression of others like Henderson, Witt, Carroll (1st half soph slump notwithstanding), EDLC, JulioRod, CJ Abrams, and even our own (2nd not first round) Masyn Winn.

[hugeCardfan]

We enter the season with question marks but not without hope. I’m comfortable with the rotation and having Mathews, Hence and Roby knocking on the door. I like the talent in the pen and believe Maton was a good add. I fully endorse the decision to keep Helsley to close and play to win. Throughout ST we have tended to walk fewer hitters than our opponents and that speaks well for our pitching as well as our hitters’ patience.

Sure the position players need to play better than last year but I have no reason to think they won’t. The look we are getting of Gorman, Scott II and Herrera is encouraging. I don’t worry about Winn or Noot. Willson will be solid at first. Looking for more from Burleson and Donovan and a spark from Walker. I think Koperniak is ready to step up and make the outfield solid at 4 levels.

Can’t wait to see how fast Davis and JJ move thru the minors. Can’t wait to see who we pick at #5 in the draft. Get a little momentum going in ‘25 and maybe Chaim comes thru in next winter’s FA market.

Listen to the naysayers if you want, this could be an encouraging year.

New too. Perfect situation for failure to force owner to spend. 60-70 wins and -2m fans will show he needs a $180-$200m payroll team with superstars to get back to the winning tradition. Nothing else will work. Has to be a disaster.

Plenty of room for Eeyores. Much rides on health and player development. I’m not against counting on a little luck, even some Cardinal pixie dust, but I don’t believe 90-100 losses for a second. Won’t happen.

Have you seen the youth? Going young with the 23rd ranked farm last year is a recipe for disaster. Teams go young when they have the Orioles type talent in the farm. You must see something no one else does.

I've proven that idiot wrong for so many seasons it's become a rite of spring.

Nothing but a troll shining Mo's desk apples.

What rock did u slide out from under? The only thing you’ve proven is you need tweezers and a magnifying glass to take a leak.

And I see you still have to squat to (bleep) by the side of the road.

I can see all the other four flushers who agree with you here.

Dope.

Wouldn’t it be something if you could see to contributing something constructive rather than taking the usual dump… chump.

Just because people don't agree with your rainbows and unicorns doesn't mean they're gloom and doomers.

The team's surrender this offseason should be proof enough but you keep on being you.

Being "contsructive" shouldn't mean gaslighting other posters who know better.

I could not care less who agrees or disagrees with my beliefs. I share my thoughts and defend them without rancor or personal attacks until someone like you comes along and gets very personal.

I don’t see a surrender this off-season, just a way to get from A to B. You are much more a gaslighter than am I.

You talk about signing Harper in lieu of Leake and Foster even though the contracts are 3 years apart. In fact the Cardinals were acquiring Goldy and Arenado while Philly was chasing Harper. To date Goldschmidt and Harper’s WAR have been roughly equivalent and Harper is in his 32 year season with 8 to go. That contract will be more than ripe the last 4 years or so. Interestingly, Harper produced a 2.5 WAR in ‘22 while Goldy and Arenado managed 15.6 combined. Even if Harper were interested in signing with the Cards it would have ended worse than Goldy’s.

No rancor yet here you are in the first page of the thread calling people doomsayers and hapless gamblers because they don't see your uninformed view of this franchise and how it's tail spinned in the last several years.

Just keep playing the sissy victim card.if you’re so upset

My point about Harper and specific time frame and him being a generational player something you wouldn't understand is spot on and everybody here with an ounce of sense and honesty agrees with it.

The direction this team has taken to be at the bottom of this division arguably the worst in baseball is embarrassing and if you can't admit you've been wrong about gaslighing this forum for years than you're stupider than even I could have imagined.

Acknowledging naysayers on CT is equivalent to calling water wet. If you take umbrage with that it’s only because you’re chickenchit. You aren’t smart enough to understand that this thread was confirming my expectations of Cardinal success. I don’t care what you think; much less that your childish feelings are hurt because somehow it’s not in line with your thoughts. Attacking posters for taking a position not in line with your thoughts is clearly your forte. But, you immediately make it personal.

Harper is an extraordinary player. Despite 4 years of sub 2 bWAR, he is a good investment for Philly. So what. Only one team could sign him and only an idiot wastes time complaining that DeWitt didn’t chase him. Get over it.

[BrummerStealsHome]

It’s a team for people who loved to eat at Shoney’s.

(drat), I could use a Slim Jim right now.

Cards will be at .500 or slightly better this year. Am I happy with that? No, of course not. But I accept that's where they are and I'll try to enjoy the season based on where they are, not where I wish they were. See you at Shoney's.

.500 or slightly better might be the best case scenario. I think it could be a realistic expectation pre-ASB, but probably not afterward.

I’m still looking forward to the season, and will be watching/listening all year long, as always.

Good that you’re not applying the “winning is everything” philosophy where it doesn’t belong. It almost sounds reasonable?

Yeah, almost. Winning is always the goal, but one must stay real.

Winning is always OUR goal as fans, but not necessarily ownership.

I agree that .500 give or take is the realistic outcome, and I'll try to look at the season in that spirit. We all know this isn't the best effort the organization can put forth, but it is what it is.

Not to split hairs, but it may be the best effort THIS organization is capable of. I can't wait until Mo is gone.

[thetank2]

All of you who believe that the Cardinals are on track for success realize that this is not just about 2023 and 2024. It will be years before this debacle is righted. 202,2026, 2027, ... will all be about rebuilding while the rest of the NL will be off and running while looking forward to those easy wins against the Cardinals.

You could have said this in 2016. Or 2008 or 2010.

Be optimistic.