The Cardinals with Kyle Tucker.

[desertrat23]

Sheesh, what a waste of time on a busy Monday.
Why don’t you look at the trades they have made that prove what BDW, Jr. was saying - Holliday, Ozuna, Goldy, Arenado, etc. They prefer trades to FA signings. They have ever since BDW, Jr. and other investors bought the team. When they strayed from it with Fowler, Leake, Cecil, etc. it only proved their point more.

No one is disputing that DeWitt said that. And no one is disputing that they prefer trades to FAs. What we’re saying is this:

1. You can’t be truly successful without being successful at a high level in the FA market in 2025.
2. If DeWitt and his team can’t hit on free agents when they do “stray,” they need to change their FA evaluation process and/or find people who CAN be successful at evaluating and signing free agents.

No. Actually what I see are several trades to fill any large holes. As I’ve said (sorry to be redundant again), the only FA action you’ll see are short term free agent contracts with relievers and with older guys aka Berkman and Beltran. But huge long term FA contracts for guys in their prime? - Naw. Not going to happen.

If you were less disingenuous about the reasons for the above truths, you’d be met with less opposition.

They don’t have a real chance at signing top free agents, and cannot afford the risk of getting it wrong if they do.

Disingenuous? By telling the truth about what the Cardinals have said? LOL.

Yes… it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest the Cardinals aren’t signing top FA because they prefer to see how a player fits with the team. They aren’t signing top FAs because it’s not financially prudent in their market. That is the only real reason.

The Cardinals have had a different business plan than your FA plan for many years, Quincy. Build through the system and trade to fill holes as needed. It’s brought them a ton of winning seasons and 2 World Championships this century. Don’t expect it to change.

The industry has changed since they won those WS. They have to choose to change with it or become irrelevant. They've chosen the latter.

[Cranny]

Sheesh, what a waste of time on a busy Monday.
Why don’t you look at the trades they have made that prove what BDW, Jr. was saying - Holliday, Ozuna, Goldy, Arenado, etc. They prefer trades to FA signings. They have ever since BDW, Jr. and other investors bought the team. When they strayed from it with Fowler, Leake, Cecil, etc. it only proved their point more.

No one is disputing that DeWitt said that. And no one is disputing that they prefer trades to FAs. What we’re saying is this:

1. You can’t be truly successful without being successful at a high level in the FA market in 2025.
2. If DeWitt and his team can’t hit on free agents when they do “stray,” they need to change their FA evaluation process and/or find people who CAN be successful at evaluating and signing free agents.

No. Actually what I see are several trades to fill any large holes. As I’ve said (sorry to be redundant again), the only FA action you’ll see are short term free agent contracts with relievers and with older guys aka Berkman and Beltran. But huge long term FA contracts for guys in their prime? - Naw. Not going to happen.

If you were less disingenuous about the reasons for the above truths, you’d be met with less opposition.

They don’t have a real chance at signing top free agents, and cannot afford the risk of getting it wrong if they do.

Disingenuous? By telling the truth about what the Cardinals have said? LOL.

Yes… it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest the Cardinals aren’t signing top FA because they prefer to see how a player fits with the team. They aren’t signing top FAs because it’s not financially prudent in their market. That is the only real reason.

The Cardinals have had a different business plan than your FA plan for many years, Quincy. Build through the system and trade to fill holes as needed. It’s brought them a ton of winning seasons and 2 World Championships this century. Don’t expect it to change.

Why are BDW/MO more than happy to overpay on middling talent rather than put eggs in the Elite basket and fill in internally. An elite player or 2 HAS BEEN what put the Cards over the top when they won those 2 WS this Century

And where did those elite player or two come from?
Free agents that were bought?

[desertrat23]

Sheesh, what a waste of time on a busy Monday.
Why don’t you look at the trades they have made that prove what BDW, Jr. was saying - Holliday, Ozuna, Goldy, Arenado, etc. They prefer trades to FA signings. They have ever since BDW, Jr. and other investors bought the team. When they strayed from it with Fowler, Leake, Cecil, etc. it only proved their point more.

No one is disputing that DeWitt said that. And no one is disputing that they prefer trades to FAs. What we’re saying is this:

1. You can’t be truly successful without being successful at a high level in the FA market in 2025.
2. If DeWitt and his team can’t hit on free agents when they do “stray,” they need to change their FA evaluation process and/or find people who CAN be successful at evaluating and signing free agents.

No. Actually what I see are several trades to fill any large holes. As I’ve said (sorry to be redundant again), the only FA action you’ll see are short term free agent contracts with relievers and with older guys aka Berkman and Beltran. But huge long term FA contracts for guys in their prime? - Naw. Not going to happen.

If you were less disingenuous about the reasons for the above truths, you’d be met with less opposition.

They don’t have a real chance at signing top free agents, and cannot afford the risk of getting it wrong if they do.

Disingenuous? By telling the truth about what the Cardinals have said? LOL.

Yes… it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest the Cardinals aren’t signing top FA because they prefer to see how a player fits with the team. They aren’t signing top FAs because it’s not financially prudent in their market. That is the only real reason.

The Cardinals have had a different business plan than your FA plan for many years, Quincy. Build through the system and trade to fill holes as needed. It’s brought them a ton of winning seasons and 2 World Championships this century. Don’t expect it to change.

Why are BDW/MO more than happy to overpay on middling talent rather than put eggs in the Elite basket and fill in internally. An elite player or 2 HAS BEEN what put the Cards over the top when they won those 2 WS this Century

And where did those elite player or two come from?
Free agents that were bought?

Yes. 2006: Suppan, 2011: Berkman. I struggle to call those guys "elite," but they're what put the team over the top.

[Cranny]

Sheesh, what a waste of time on a busy Monday.
Why don’t you look at the trades they have made that prove what BDW, Jr. was saying - Holliday, Ozuna, Goldy, Arenado, etc. They prefer trades to FA signings. They have ever since BDW, Jr. and other investors bought the team. When they strayed from it with Fowler, Leake, Cecil, etc. it only proved their point more.

No one is disputing that DeWitt said that. And no one is disputing that they prefer trades to FAs. What we’re saying is this:

1. You can’t be truly successful without being successful at a high level in the FA market in 2025.
2. If DeWitt and his team can’t hit on free agents when they do “stray,” they need to change their FA evaluation process and/or find people who CAN be successful at evaluating and signing free agents.

No. Actually what I see are several trades to fill any large holes. As I’ve said (sorry to be redundant again), the only FA action you’ll see are short term free agent contracts with relievers and with older guys aka Berkman and Beltran. But huge long term FA contracts for guys in their prime? - Naw. Not going to happen.

If you were less disingenuous about the reasons for the above truths, you’d be met with less opposition.

They don’t have a real chance at signing top free agents, and cannot afford the risk of getting it wrong if they do.

Disingenuous? By telling the truth about what the Cardinals have said? LOL.

Yes… it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest the Cardinals aren’t signing top FA because they prefer to see how a player fits with the team. They aren’t signing top FAs because it’s not financially prudent in their market. That is the only real reason.

The Cardinals have had a different business plan than your FA plan for many years, Quincy. Build through the system and trade to fill holes as needed. It’s brought them a ton of winning seasons and 2 World Championships this century. Don’t expect it to change.

Why are BDW/MO more than happy to overpay on middling talent rather than put eggs in the Elite basket and fill in internally. An elite player or 2 HAS BEEN what put the Cards over the top when they won those 2 WS this Century

And where did those elite player or two come from?
Free agents that were bought?

Yes. 2006: Suppan, 2011: Berkman. I struggle to call those guys "elite," but they're what put the team over the top.

If the Cardinals signed guys like that today, CT would scour them.

[butsir01]

Take Miles and Eric for two nights running.

[desertrat23]

Sheesh, what a waste of time on a busy Monday.
Why don’t you look at the trades they have made that prove what BDW, Jr. was saying - Holliday, Ozuna, Goldy, Arenado, etc. They prefer trades to FA signings. They have ever since BDW, Jr. and other investors bought the team. When they strayed from it with Fowler, Leake, Cecil, etc. it only proved their point more.

No one is disputing that DeWitt said that. And no one is disputing that they prefer trades to FAs. What we’re saying is this:

1. You can’t be truly successful without being successful at a high level in the FA market in 2025.
2. If DeWitt and his team can’t hit on free agents when they do “stray,” they need to change their FA evaluation process and/or find people who CAN be successful at evaluating and signing free agents.

No. Actually what I see are several trades to fill any large holes. As I’ve said (sorry to be redundant again), the only FA action you’ll see are short term free agent contracts with relievers and with older guys aka Berkman and Beltran. But huge long term FA contracts for guys in their prime? - Naw. Not going to happen.

If you were less disingenuous about the reasons for the above truths, you’d be met with less opposition.

They don’t have a real chance at signing top free agents, and cannot afford the risk of getting it wrong if they do.

Disingenuous? By telling the truth about what the Cardinals have said? LOL.

Yes… it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest the Cardinals aren’t signing top FA because they prefer to see how a player fits with the team. They aren’t signing top FAs because it’s not financially prudent in their market. That is the only real reason.

The Cardinals have had a different business plan than your FA plan for many years, Quincy. Build through the system and trade to fill holes as needed. It’s brought them a ton of winning seasons and 2 World Championships this century. Don’t expect it to change.

Why are BDW/MO more than happy to overpay on middling talent rather than put eggs in the Elite basket and fill in internally. An elite player or 2 HAS BEEN what put the Cards over the top when they won those 2 WS this Century

And where did those elite player or two come from?
Free agents that were bought?

Yes. 2006: Suppan, 2011: Berkman. I struggle to call those guys "elite," but they're what put the team over the top.

If the Cardinals signed guys like that today, CT would scour them.

I guess that would all depend on how they and the team perform, wouldn't it?

[Cranny]

Sheesh, what a waste of time on a busy Monday.
Why don’t you look at the trades they have made that prove what BDW, Jr. was saying - Holliday, Ozuna, Goldy, Arenado, etc. They prefer trades to FA signings. They have ever since BDW, Jr. and other investors bought the team. When they strayed from it with Fowler, Leake, Cecil, etc. it only proved their point more.

No one is disputing that DeWitt said that. And no one is disputing that they prefer trades to FAs. What we’re saying is this:

1. You can’t be truly successful without being successful at a high level in the FA market in 2025.
2. If DeWitt and his team can’t hit on free agents when they do “stray,” they need to change their FA evaluation process and/or find people who CAN be successful at evaluating and signing free agents.

No. Actually what I see are several trades to fill any large holes. As I’ve said (sorry to be redundant again), the only FA action you’ll see are short term free agent contracts with relievers and with older guys aka Berkman and Beltran. But huge long term FA contracts for guys in their prime? - Naw. Not going to happen.

If you were less disingenuous about the reasons for the above truths, you’d be met with less opposition.

They don’t have a real chance at signing top free agents, and cannot afford the risk of getting it wrong if they do.

Disingenuous? By telling the truth about what the Cardinals have said? LOL.

Yes… it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest the Cardinals aren’t signing top FA because they prefer to see how a player fits with the team. They aren’t signing top FAs because it’s not financially prudent in their market. That is the only real reason.

The Cardinals have had a different business plan than your FA plan for many years, Quincy. Build through the system and trade to fill holes as needed. It’s brought them a ton of winning seasons and 2 World Championships this century. Don’t expect it to change.

Why are BDW/MO more than happy to overpay on middling talent rather than put eggs in the Elite basket and fill in internally. An elite player or 2 HAS BEEN what put the Cards over the top when they won those 2 WS this Century

And where did those elite player or two come from?
Free agents that were bought?

Yes. 2006: Suppan, 2011: Berkman. I struggle to call those guys "elite," but they're what put the team over the top.

If the Cardinals signed guys like that today, CT would scour them.

I guess that would all depend on how they and the team perform, wouldn't it?

I was referring to the time of signing.

[desertrat23]

No one is disputing that DeWitt said that. And no one is disputing that they prefer trades to FAs. What we’re saying is this:

1. You can’t be truly successful without being successful at a high level in the FA market in 2025.
2. If DeWitt and his team can’t hit on free agents when they do “stray,” they need to change their FA evaluation process and/or find people who CAN be successful at evaluating and signing free agents.

No. Actually what I see are several trades to fill any large holes. As I’ve said (sorry to be redundant again), the only FA action you’ll see are short term free agent contracts with relievers and with older guys aka Berkman and Beltran. But huge long term FA contracts for guys in their prime? - Naw. Not going to happen.

If you were less disingenuous about the reasons for the above truths, you’d be met with less opposition.

They don’t have a real chance at signing top free agents, and cannot afford the risk of getting it wrong if they do.

Disingenuous? By telling the truth about what the Cardinals have said? LOL.

Yes… it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest the Cardinals aren’t signing top FA because they prefer to see how a player fits with the team. They aren’t signing top FAs because it’s not financially prudent in their market. That is the only real reason.

The Cardinals have had a different business plan than your FA plan for many years, Quincy. Build through the system and trade to fill holes as needed. It’s brought them a ton of winning seasons and 2 World Championships this century. Don’t expect it to change.

Why are BDW/MO more than happy to overpay on middling talent rather than put eggs in the Elite basket and fill in internally. An elite player or 2 HAS BEEN what put the Cards over the top when they won those 2 WS this Century

And where did those elite player or two come from?
Free agents that were bought?

Yes. 2006: Suppan, 2011: Berkman. I struggle to call those guys "elite," but they're what put the team over the top.

If the Cardinals signed guys like that today, CT would scour them.

I guess that would all depend on how they and the team perform, wouldn't it?

I was referring to the time of signing.

I’d love to come up with a witty rejoinder, but this is impossible to argue with.

[CCard]

I love young players succeeding. But those young players eventually have to be paid. Here's where you have perennial losers show up. They can't keep the stars they grow, pardon me, they WON'T keep the players they grow. That being said, where you become an elite team is plugging in a superstar here or there. It only takes a couple to lift a team to championship status. The best way is to sign a top tier pitcher or two if you can get lucky and sign them.

The Cards like to first see how a player fits in with teammates, manager, coaches, the front office, fans, the St. Louis Community, etc. Look to the Matt Holliday model. That’s the key. Bloom and Cerfolio feel the same way.

I don't care if they live in the community or screw the neighbor's dog. I only care about the Cards winning. Nothing else matters. I don't watch the games because they're good neighbor's or fabulous people. That's just a silly way to load up a ballclub. Get the best players you can and win championships. I don't personally know any ball players. Do you? If they do something bad enough, you know, like take steroids or beat their wife, then ship their butts out and replace them. Otherwise, stay out of their personal lives and let them produce for the team.

As a matter of fact I do know some players. And they all talk about how important team chemistry is. Suggestion for you -
listen to the entirety of the Cerfolio interview that was post on here. Then come back and we can discuss how important character is when building a team that can win together.

You ever heard of the Oakland A's during the 70's? They fought like cats and dogs. Gene Tenace, Reggie Jackson, etc. World Series champions also. I'm sure Yadi and Albert ruffled a few feathers in the clubhouse. How'd that turn out. Chemistry is made up. Talent prevails. Anyone that blames chemistry is a wimp and a loser. You ain't paid to be friends or hug, you're paid to produce. Hell, there's lots of teams with great team chemistry that are perennial losers. It's a silly argument. Nothing affects team morale more than winning and losing.

Listen to interviews with players after they win the WS. They often say “we came together as a team and that’s why we won it”.

LOL...What are they going to say? "Despite my teammates we still won. LOL Just stop. Evidence has already been cited. Just stop.

CC - To you too. Just stop. If you don’t understand how important character and team unity are, I can’t help you.

Of course it’s important. It’s not more important than finding the best talent.

Cerfolio says it’s about 50/50. The numbers have to be there to draw the interest before character due diligence takes place.

Cerfolio is the know all be all then? I'm relating stories of great teams that didn't get along. One of the oldest sayings in baseball is "Winning cures everything." You could have a team consisting of brothers and it wouldn't matter if they suck. If we don't have common sense then we're just wandering in the wilderness.

Cerfolio represents the modern, young, staff guy who knows what it takes to develop young players. He is a big part of the Cardinals future. If you don’t hear him on character and team adhesiveness, you’re really missing the boat.

There's always a young up and comer who thinks they invented the wheel and it always ends the same. Whatever happened to moneyball and Billy Beane? Young guys don't have the experience to run anything without expert knowledge from veterans that have done it. To put it bluntly, he doesn't know what he doesn't know. Regardless, it's all about ownership anyway. He or Mo or the next guy up is chained to what DeWitt and company want. In the immortal words of Leon (from the Bud commercials) "Leon can't cook without that dough, baby." ((bleep) eating grin)

[Bad14]

If this post were a horse with a broken leg someone would have put it out of its misery by now

[Cranny]

The Cards like to first see how a player fits in with teammates, manager, coaches, the front office, fans, the St. Louis Community, etc. Look to the Matt Holliday model. That’s the key. Bloom and Cerfolio feel the same way.

I don't care if they live in the community or screw the neighbor's dog. I only care about the Cards winning. Nothing else matters. I don't watch the games because they're good neighbor's or fabulous people. That's just a silly way to load up a ballclub. Get the best players you can and win championships. I don't personally know any ball players. Do you? If they do something bad enough, you know, like take steroids or beat their wife, then ship their butts out and replace them. Otherwise, stay out of their personal lives and let them produce for the team.

As a matter of fact I do know some players. And they all talk about how important team chemistry is. Suggestion for you -
listen to the entirety of the Cerfolio interview that was post on here. Then come back and we can discuss how important character is when building a team that can win together.

You ever heard of the Oakland A's during the 70's? They fought like cats and dogs. Gene Tenace, Reggie Jackson, etc. World Series champions also. I'm sure Yadi and Albert ruffled a few feathers in the clubhouse. How'd that turn out. Chemistry is made up. Talent prevails. Anyone that blames chemistry is a wimp and a loser. You ain't paid to be friends or hug, you're paid to produce. Hell, there's lots of teams with great team chemistry that are perennial losers. It's a silly argument. Nothing affects team morale more than winning and losing.

Listen to interviews with players after they win the WS. They often say “we came together as a team and that’s why we won it”.

LOL...What are they going to say? "Despite my teammates we still won. LOL Just stop. Evidence has already been cited. Just stop.

CC - To you too. Just stop. If you don’t understand how important character and team unity are, I can’t help you.

Of course it’s important. It’s not more important than finding the best talent.

Cerfolio says it’s about 50/50. The numbers have to be there to draw the interest before character due diligence takes place.

Cerfolio is the know all be all then? I'm relating stories of great teams that didn't get along. One of the oldest sayings in baseball is "Winning cures everything." You could have a team consisting of brothers and it wouldn't matter if they suck. If we don't have common sense then we're just wandering in the wilderness.

Cerfolio represents the modern, young, staff guy who knows what it takes to develop young players. He is a big part of the Cardinals future. If you don’t hear him on character and team adhesiveness, you’re really missing the boat.

There's always a young up and comer who thinks they invented the wheel and it always ends the same. Whatever happened to moneyball and Billy Beane? Young guys don't have the experience to run anything without expert knowledge from veterans that have done it. To put it bluntly, he doesn't know what he doesn't know. Regardless, it's all about ownership anyway. He or Mo or the next guy up is chained to what DeWitt and company want. In the immortal words of Leon (from the Bud commercials) "Leon can't cook without that dough, baby." ((bleep) eating grin)

Suggest you look at Cerfolio's career over the past 10 years, and watch his interview which was posted on here. You might change your mind about him.

[desertrat23]

I don't care if they live in the community or screw the neighbor's dog. I only care about the Cards winning. Nothing else matters. I don't watch the games because they're good neighbor's or fabulous people. That's just a silly way to load up a ballclub. Get the best players you can and win championships. I don't personally know any ball players. Do you? If they do something bad enough, you know, like take steroids or beat their wife, then ship their butts out and replace them. Otherwise, stay out of their personal lives and let them produce for the team.

As a matter of fact I do know some players. And they all talk about how important team chemistry is. Suggestion for you -
listen to the entirety of the Cerfolio interview that was post on here. Then come back and we can discuss how important character is when building a team that can win together.

You ever heard of the Oakland A's during the 70's? They fought like cats and dogs. Gene Tenace, Reggie Jackson, etc. World Series champions also. I'm sure Yadi and Albert ruffled a few feathers in the clubhouse. How'd that turn out. Chemistry is made up. Talent prevails. Anyone that blames chemistry is a wimp and a loser. You ain't paid to be friends or hug, you're paid to produce. Hell, there's lots of teams with great team chemistry that are perennial losers. It's a silly argument. Nothing affects team morale more than winning and losing.

Listen to interviews with players after they win the WS. They often say “we came together as a team and that’s why we won it”.

LOL...What are they going to say? "Despite my teammates we still won. LOL Just stop. Evidence has already been cited. Just stop.

CC - To you too. Just stop. If you don’t understand how important character and team unity are, I can’t help you.

Of course it’s important. It’s not more important than finding the best talent.

Cerfolio says it’s about 50/50. The numbers have to be there to draw the interest before character due diligence takes place.

Cerfolio is the know all be all then? I'm relating stories of great teams that didn't get along. One of the oldest sayings in baseball is "Winning cures everything." You could have a team consisting of brothers and it wouldn't matter if they suck. If we don't have common sense then we're just wandering in the wilderness.

Cerfolio represents the modern, young, staff guy who knows what it takes to develop young players. He is a big part of the Cardinals future. If you don’t hear him on character and team adhesiveness, you’re really missing the boat.

There's always a young up and comer who thinks they invented the wheel and it always ends the same. Whatever happened to moneyball and Billy Beane? Young guys don't have the experience to run anything without expert knowledge from veterans that have done it. To put it bluntly, he doesn't know what he doesn't know. Regardless, it's all about ownership anyway. He or Mo or the next guy up is chained to what DeWitt and company want. In the immortal words of Leon (from the Bud commercials) "Leon can't cook without that dough, baby." ((bleep) eating grin)

Suggest you look at Cerfolio's career over the past 10 years, and watch his interview which was posted on here. You might change your mind about him.

"THE INTERVIEW! THE INTERVIEW! OH DEAR GOD, WON'T YOU PLEASE WATCH THE INTERVIEW????"