The Cardinals with Kyle Tucker.

[Cranny]

Trolling can have serious consequences. You've been warned by the powers that be.

[desertrat23]

That thought process is outdated. Cardinals care less about getting to know you. This ain’t a dating service.

Better listen to that Cerfolio interview, dawg. You'll be better informed. Especially about the interviews the scouts have with coaches and teachers at the players schools. The scouts want to know if the player will fit in - that he takes instruction well, is a good teammate, etc.

I heard of it.

These players have long ago been vetted. Not the first time in the hopper. That’s the last thing on their minds.

Did you pay particular attention when he talked about "character" in the vetting process?

You have no ability to understand the points others are making. We're saying there are other ways to learn the characters of players without having them on the Cardinals for a period of time. You foolishly keep repeating yourself.

I don't foolishly do anything. I just repeat what BDW, Jr. and all the scouting directors have said at Winter Warmup over the years. And what Rob Cerfolio has said in his interview that was posted here. If you don't like what they have to say about the process, that's your problem.

Dawg - As far as free agents, for instance, one person who works for the Cardinals told me that if they had done the proper due diligence on Fowler before signing him, he never would have become a Cardinal.

That’s exactly right. You just repeat it. Blindly and slavishly, without any critical thinking or reflection that it may be misguided or in need of modernization. And then you wonder why everyone here thinks you just carry the organization’s water. Rob Cerfolio, who you’d never heard of until eight months ago, gets hired and gives an interview with a built-in rationalization for why they won’t go acquire premium talent and it’s now the Gospel. Sigh.

And to your point on Fowler, if that’s true and they didn’t do the proper due diligence before signing Fowler to a five-year, $82.5 million contract, add that to the list of reasons why John Mozeliak should have been terminated years ago.

Rob Cerfolio, working under Chaim Bloom is responsible for the types of players that the Cardinals bring into the organization through the draft, working with Randy Flores and the entire scouting department. They try to match outstanding talent with high character valuation. That's all. Simple as that. Not worth a long discussion. And as far as
"modernization", I've already commented on the new high level equipment the Cardinals have invested in and the hiring
of coaches who know how to teach with it. Common knowledge, again, not worthy of a long discussion.

Don’t you get tired of changing the argument? We’re not talking about player development or equipment or coaches. We’re talking about the free-agent process, which, whether you and your miserly owner want to admit it, is a critical part of a championship roster.

And I addressed that with the mentioning of Fowler, Rat. You can put Leake and Cecil into the same category. I was surprised by those signing when they happened because they didn't fit the Cardinals M.O. And look what happened. It probably deepened the resolve to get to know players before investing big long term dollars in them.

See, here’s the thing: a serious organization would find a front office that was able to properly evaluate and sign quality free agents, rather than keep the incompetents and decide not to sign quality free agents.

You talk in generalizations. Put some meat on the bones. Like this -

Andrew Miller was signed to a 3 year contract in 2019. The contract was for $34,500,000. Think they did the proper due diligence on him?

All you want to do is bash BDW, Jr. and Mo. It's what gets you going. That's fine, but please don't talk to others on here about redundancy. You epitomize it.

I don't know, you tell me. Seems to me that a three-year deal for a setup man in his mid-30s is probably not the greatest idea, but I think the results bore that out.

It's NOT what gets me going. What gets me going is a team constructed with the purpose of making a deep playoff run, not just squeaking into a wild-card spot and being satisfied. What gets me going is a front office that's competent in all aspects of player acquisition. What gets me going is an owner who wants to win, not simply squeeze blood out of the fanbase turnip. What gets you going is defending these guys at all costs.

[alw80]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

[desertrat23]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

[Bad14]

Trolling can have serious consequences. You've been warned by the powers that be.

Now you're a moderator?

[desertrat23]

Trolling can have serious consequences. You've been warned by the powers that be.

Now you're a moderator?

Self-appointed.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

And the entire point of thread. Running with the Devil. Gonna cost. A small debt to pay for a potential huge gain.

[mattmitchl44]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

Tucker is more of a Goldschmidt-level player than a Judge, Soto, Ohtani, etc. level player.

At age 29, $500+ million, even to sign him for life, would be a mistake. You only pay that if you are sure that adding him makes you the clear favorite to win the WS in 2026.

[desertrat23]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

Tucker is more of a Goldschmidt-level player than a Judge, Soto, Ohtani, etc. level player.

At age 29, $500+ million, even to sign him for life, would be a mistake. You only pay that if you are sure that adding him makes you the clear favorite to win the WS in 2026.

And that may be. Hopefully Chaim Bloom is a better evaluator of talent than John Mozeliak. The point still stands though: the owner isn’t interested in acquiring truly elite free-agent talent, no matter who it is.

[renostl]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

Tucker is more of a Goldschmidt-level player than a Judge, Soto, Ohtani, etc. level player.

At age 29, $500+ million, even to sign him for life, would be a mistake. You only pay that if you are sure that adding him makes you the clear favorite to win the WS in 2026.

Judge is a good comparison since age and position are close.
Judge is also an NYY icon along with Superstar status.
He received 9/$360. just 2 seasons ago.

Vladi another icon at age 26 that Toronto desperately had to sign in order to attract other
players and their fans received 14/$500.

It's rare to get $40, It's rare for 10 years. I don't see where these $500 million guesses are
coming from. He's less than Judge IMO.

[RunSup]

The team would look like-

Tucker Scott Burleson

Nado Winn Donovan Willy

Pages. DH Gorman/Herrera

Staff.

Gray Sandy Libby McG Pallante.

The reason I mention Tucker and Sandy as they are currently available or will be at seasons end. And no one else is available at this precise time.

Anything less in this scenerio just puts us in upper mediocre catagory. The reset is falling into our lap, all things functioning well- players- team - future.

There’s not a GM who wouldn’t love to be in our position. So much opportunity for power again.

Well Bulldog, I read your op and skipped to the last page. Now I have Supertramp stuck in my head. Thanks for the earworm.

"Dreamer, you know you are a dreamer
Well, can you put your hands in your head? Oh no!"

Tucker feels like another Bryce Harper trip.

My read is that Walker will get another shot as this season has been lost. He is still young. Walker and Burly in RF until Josh Baez arrives.

Wetherholt in the mix sometime in 2026. Bloom trades Nado in the off season and do what Mo couldn't.

They won't sign Alcantra. Replace that name in 2027 with the SP they draft with the fifth pick in July.

Oli is the manager in 2026 or offered a role in the Development organization.

Thats the future I see in my crystal ball. But have fun storming the castle.

Gotta break the mold, or stay non relevant.

Since we are allowed to dream:

Trade Walker and Gorman for Jackson Holliday. Holliday has 10 HRs this year but just a .723 OPS. If that gets scoffs then flip in Burleson for Walker. Need to balance RH vs LH hitters anyway.

Also Bloom trades Nado in the off season (or deadline) I love what he has given, but let him go get his WS ring.

2026+ infield:
1B - WC
2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
3B - Holliday

You are tasked to go ahead and sign Tucker for the OF. Hit-R-Done.

Otherwise wait on Josh Baez or someone to develop. Teach Herrera to play LF.

[WLTFE]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

DeTwit like many older people, hang on to the past and hope fans will remember how good it was...DeTwit just doesn't understand that the fans are (upset) and want more...we're not paying for how many games they used to win.

[Honky Tonk Man]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

DeTwit like many older people, hang on to the past and hope fans will remember how good it was...DeTwit just doesn't understand that the fans are (upset) and want more...we're not paying for how many games they used to win.

Please you will be accused of being spoiled, even though you shell out hard earned cash to attend the games.

[WLTFE]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

DeTwit like many older people, hang on to the past and hope fans will remember how good it was...DeTwit just doesn't understand that the fans are (upset) and want more...we're not paying for how many games they used to win.

Please you will be accused of being spoiled, even though you shell out hard earned cash to attend the games.

I know...the front office (donkey) kissers love to attack and threaten anyone who criticizes DeTwit or Mo-ran. And apparently, that's all they to do on every thread!

[mattmitchl44]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

Tucker is more of a Goldschmidt-level player than a Judge, Soto, Ohtani, etc. level player.

At age 29, $500+ million, even to sign him for life, would be a mistake. You only pay that if you are sure that adding him makes you the clear favorite to win the WS in 2026.

Judge is a good comparison since age and position are close.
Judge is also an NYY icon along with Superstar status.
He received 9/$360. just 2 seasons ago.

Vladi another icon at age 26 that Toronto desperately had to sign in order to attract other
players and their fans received 14/$500.

It's rare to get $40, It's rare for 10 years. I don't see where these $500 million guesses are
coming from. He's less than Judge IMO.

Judge got his contract coming off a season where he produced an astonishing 11.1 fWAR. Tucker's best season so far has been 5.0 fWAR (he could get to 6.0 or 6.5 this season).

So, yes, $30 million a season, or a bit more, for 10 years would be much more reasonable.

[desertrat23]

Tucker will be getting a $500+M contract. He will not be a Cardinal.

You’re right, of course. Our owner doesn’t have the stomach to sit at the grownup’s table.

DeTwit like many older people, hang on to the past and hope fans will remember how good it was...DeTwit just doesn't understand that the fans are (upset) and want more...we're not paying for how many games they used to win.

That’s certainly true around here. Lots of old-timers reminding us that we used to be good so we have no right to expect anything.