Cubs may ensure Cards clean house at deadline

[Strummer Jones]

Cubs are a better team, but if they don't get their bullpen figured out, they're a mirage.

Still better than us, but still a mirage.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

That anyone is still upset that STL has a losing record amazes me. What did people think a "reset" (god forbid calling it a rebuild) was going to bring? What did they expect diverting funds to the development side instead of veterans would cause?

So far excepting not dealing Fedde and Helsley in the off season (massive error) the team is right on track. Well, assuming they ARE upgrading the development side. And while the record isn't great I am pleased to see some of the future core players stepping up.

Herrera
Saggese
Donovan
Noot
Winn
Scott

That is a controllable core for a bit. If STL gets a decent TV deal and sees fans returning it is possible to build on that core in the next few years to see a real contender.

I am bored with 85 win teams that get swept in the playoffs. I want to see a team that can threaten to win it all. Even if it means a few years of 72 win seasons.

[ramfandan]

If the Chicago Cubs continue on their present pace (20-13 ) winning 60% of their games , they would win 97 games in the NL Central.
( Reds trail the Cubs by 2 games with Brewers 4 back and Cardinals 6 behind with just 33 games played .)
The Cubs appear they could run away from the others so the Cardinals may know well ahead of the trade deadline not only are they out of the division hunt but any wildcard chance may be slim to none also.

There should be a lot of speculation on MLB shows about the Cardinals wheeling/dealing at the trade deadline especially with closer Helsley and also if their three 'no trade clause ' vets Gray /Arenado / Contreras would accept trades to potential contenders .
The rumors should be hot and heavy.

For Gray, both Cincinnati (Reds former team) and/ or Atlanta are both geographically closer to Nashville ( Gray's home and hometown area Smyrna )
than Nashville to St. Louis. (Sonny signed with Cardinals to be close to family/friends ). He would probably jump at the chance to go to Atlanta or Cincy .

Is Gray The only player MLB that has to be catered to for some obsessive need to be an Uber ride from his hometown?? And why does this even matter? On the occasional off day in STL he drives over 4 hrs there and 4hrs back in same day?

Thought I would update you on my comment regarding Sonny Gray . Regarding your first question.. Is he the only player that wants to play near his hometown ? Don't know.. may be a few .. AS for 'why does this matter ? .. guess you have to ask him for the specifics .. All I know is that read and listened to videos when Sonny was acquired in free agency that he sought to be close to Nashville , if possible, and why he had interest in St. Louis.

In today's (May 5th Goold chat ) , Derrick was asked about the 'no trade clause' guys possibly departing . Here is a quote by Goold ...Mikolas may want to pursue a championship if possible; location is going to be key for Sonny Gray as his interest would be limited to a few teams if geography guides his interest.

So Goold also claims that location is a key for Sonny ( if geography guides his interest once again ) . I have read speculation during the offseason that if Gray ever moved to another team that returning to Cincinnati or going to Atlanta may be his preference . We shall see .

[Futuregm2]

That anyone is still upset that STL has a losing record amazes me. What did people think a "reset" (god forbid calling it a rebuild) was going to bring? What did they expect diverting funds to the development side instead of veterans would cause?

So far excepting not dealing Fedde and Helsley in the off season (massive error) the team is right on track. Well, assuming they ARE upgrading the development side. And while the record isn't great I am pleased to see some of the future core players stepping up.

Herrera
Saggese
Donovan
Noot
Winn
Scott

That is a controllable core for a bit. If STL gets a decent TV deal and sees fans returning it is possible to build on that core in the next few years to see a real contender.

I am bored with 85 win teams that get swept in the playoffs. I want to see a team that can threaten to win it all. Even if it means a few years of 72 win seasons.

+1

[smilinjoefission]

Sub 2mill fan attendance will ensure the Cards do something...the Blues realized they needed new leadership, made a move that cost them money (they are paying 3 coaches now), but did it anyhow (sadly they need to clean house of dead weight players to be a better team, hopefully that comes this off-season), but the first step for a bright Cards future is firing the marmot and going outside the organization for help.

[3dender]

That anyone is still upset that STL has a losing record amazes me. What did people think a "reset" (god forbid calling it a rebuild) was going to bring? What did they expect diverting funds to the development side instead of veterans would cause?

So far excepting not dealing Fedde and Helsley in the off season (massive error) the team is right on track. Well, assuming they ARE upgrading the development side. And while the record isn't great I am pleased to see some of the future core players stepping up.

Herrera
Saggese
Donovan
Noot
Winn
Scott

That is a controllable core for a bit. If STL gets a decent TV deal and sees fans returning it is possible to build on that core in the next few years to see a real contender.

I am bored with 85 win teams that get swept in the playoffs. I want to see a team that can threaten to win it all. Even if it means a few years of 72 win seasons.

How much money did they "divert" to development this year? $10M or so? Maybe?

How much did payroll go down? $30M?

If you really believe *that's* the reason they're not spending more on payroll, you are exactly the mark they hope we all are.

The issue is that they talk "reset" out of one side of their mouth but say "We really like our chances to compete this year" out the other. So nobody should be upset with fans who are upset that they're not competing better. The F.O. brings it on themselves with what they say.

[3dender]

As to OP topic... they're still 3.5 GB in the Wild Card. It doesn't matter how far back they are in the division, if the WC number is still single digits at the deadline the F.O. will do a mediocre trade or two for a mediocre bullpen piece in order to sell more tickets to gullible fans who will actually believe they're trying to compete.

[renostl]

That anyone is still upset that STL has a losing record amazes me. What did people think a "reset" (god forbid calling it a rebuild) was going to bring? What did they expect diverting funds to the development side instead of veterans would cause?

So far excepting not dealing Fedde and Helsley in the off season (massive error) the team is right on track. Well, assuming they ARE upgrading the development side. And while the record isn't great I am pleased to see some of the future core players stepping up.

Herrera
Saggese
Donovan
Noot
Winn
Scott

That is a controllable core for a bit. If STL gets a decent TV deal and sees fans returning it is possible to build on that core in the next few years to see a real contender.

I am bored with 85 win teams that get swept in the playoffs. I want to see a team that can threaten to win it all. Even if it means a few years of 72 win seasons.

What creates that for you?

Whereas I can see the upside in the players that you listed, a portion of the fan base would argue that there isn't an anchor to
the lineup. What would create buzz when outbidding the either coast takes the coast not having a job opening.

The team is not in terrible position IMO, the Cubs Tucker type acquisition turns around the lineup in St. Louis like it did in Chicago.
Would that change the negative vibe of to one that threatens to win it all? Or will the Oli and MO vernacular still live on.

We're all different. There's the WS are bust group. There's people that need to see the Cards listed in magazines as favorites.
There's people who like baseball and don't care. Apparently not a lot in that group according to empty seats.

I don't think the Cubs ensure anything with the Cardinals. I don't think "cleaning house" will produce as big of a change
as people dream of. What is the expected return for Fedde, Hels, NA, SG, or Willson? Roster changing? We gave up
little to get Goldy a HOF level player, same with NA. Prospects in the below top 5 at best is what I'd expect.

Doing nothing more than allowing attrition should provide enough money in 2026. Moving a single NTC player really should
be more than enough. Cleaning house on the roster not needed.

[thetank2]

That anyone is still upset that STL has a losing record amazes me. What did people think a "reset" (god forbid calling it a rebuild) was going to bring? What did they expect diverting funds to the development side instead of veterans would cause?

So far excepting not dealing Fedde and Helsley in the off season (massive error) the team is right on track. Well, assuming they ARE upgrading the development side. And while the record isn't great I am pleased to see some of the future core players stepping up.

Herrera
Saggese
Donovan
Noot
Winn
Scott

That is a controllable core for a bit. If STL gets a decent TV deal and sees fans returning it is possible to build on that core in the next few years to see a real contender.

I am bored with 85 win teams that get swept in the playoffs. I want to see a team that can threaten to win it all. Even if it means a few years of 72 win seasons.

What creates that for you?

Whereas I can see the upside in the players that you listed, a portion of the fan base would argue that there isn't an anchor to
the lineup. What would create buzz when outbidding the either coast takes the coast not having a job opening.

The team is not in terrible position IMO, the Cubs Tucker type acquisition turns around the lineup in St. Louis like it did in Chicago.
Would that change the negative vibe of to one that threatens to win it all? Or will the Oli and MO vernacular still live on.

We're all different. There's the WS are bust group. There's people that need to see the Cards listed in magazines as favorites.
There's people who like baseball and don't care. Apparently not a lot in that group according to empty seats.

I don't think the Cubs ensure anything with the Cardinals. I don't think "cleaning house" will produce as big of a change
as people dream of. What is the expected return for Fedde, Hels, NA, SG, or Willson? Roster changing? We gave up
little to get Goldy a HOF level player, same with NA. Prospects in the below top 5 at best is what I'd expect.

Doing nothing more than allowing attrition should provide enough money in 2026. Moving a single NTC player really should
be more than enough. Cleaning house on the roster not needed.

What ever position player prospect we get means we have to release one from the roster or the minor leagues.