Poll : Cards fans overwhelminly want team to SELL regardless if they sweep the Padres

[scoutyjones2]

Pittsburgh Pirates model for success. Draft and develop a top 5 at his position player like Donovan and then trade him with years left on his contract because we won't be able to re-sign him.

Hurdy is top 5 at what position? 2b? He's 29th in outs above average. -1 . A 0 in runs prevented. 26% in fielding run value. His DWAR is 0.

Solid bat but I think his D is way over valued

He's arb eligible this year and s FA in 2028

Sell

Solid bat. Range factor above average. What would the Pirates do?

Why do I care what the pirates do? Loser organization.

[Carp4Cy]

Have to get a return on the expiring contracts which they won’t/ cannot reup.

The fallacy here is thinking that getting a return actually makes us good

What does keeping the expiring contracts do? Not even trying to get better is the fallacy.

It’s the wrong question. Selling, trading, clearing contracts is just a distraction from the fact that we don’t actually acquire the right things that we need and that’s the heart of the issue.

[Carp4Cy]

Have to get a return on the expiring contracts which they won’t/ cannot reup.

The fallacy here is thinking that getting a return actually makes us good

At least selling has the potential of landing a few good players. Doing nothing and letting free agents walk guarantees you nothing.

But you can also make trades without selling. Make a blockbuster that makes both teams better or something. We have to make this roster better for 2026, not just take some lottery picks and reduce salary further.

[mattmitchl44]

Have to get a return on the expiring contracts which they won’t/ cannot reup.

The fallacy here is thinking that getting a return actually makes us good

At least selling has the potential of landing a few good players. Doing nothing and letting free agents walk guarantees you nothing.

But you can also make trades without selling. Make a blockbuster that makes both teams better or something. We have to make this roster better for 2026, not just take some lottery picks and reduce salary further.

The point will be for the Cardinals to make themselves better in the future, while some other team(s) will make themselves better this season.

[An Old Friend]

Have to get a return on the expiring contracts which they won’t/ cannot reup.

The fallacy here is thinking that getting a return actually makes us good

What does keeping the expiring contracts do? Not even trying to get better is the fallacy.

It’s the wrong question. Selling, trading, clearing contracts is just a distraction from the fact that we don’t actually acquire the right things that we need and that’s the heart of the issue.

Ok, but getting nothing definitely doesn’t make them good.

[ClassicO]

Have to get a return on the expiring contracts which they won’t/ cannot reup.

The fallacy here is thinking that getting a return actually makes us good

What does keeping the expiring contracts do? Not even trying to get better is the fallacy.

It’s the wrong question. Selling, trading, clearing contracts is just a distraction from the fact that we don’t actually acquire the right things that we need and that’s the heart of the issue.

The right question is what I indicated = why would you let the FAs walk for nothing -- and not even TRY to improve simply because you haven't done well before?

[dugoutrex]

what if we split ?

[Carp4Cy]

Have to get a return on the expiring contracts which they won’t/ cannot reup.

The fallacy here is thinking that getting a return actually makes us good

What does keeping the expiring contracts do? Not even trying to get better is the fallacy.

It’s the wrong question. Selling, trading, clearing contracts is just a distraction from the fact that we don’t actually acquire the right things that we need and that’s the heart of the issue.

The right question is what I indicated = why would you let the FAs walk for nothing -- and not even TRY to improve simply because you haven't done well before?

50 threads focused on selling for every 1 thread discussing actually "building" the team back strongly indicates the focus is way out of balance. Even if the ideas are followed, it won't be nearly enough and by then Mo will be exhausted and have no time left to build the team back...

[CCard]

Look, if you see a player isn't going to help you in the next 3 to 4 years then of course get what you can. But selling productive players that will help you in the near future is silly and short sighted. Do the Cards have a player like Donny? Not really. So you trade him for some pipe dream lottery ticket and then next year you realize how bad you need a player like him to contend. What have you gained? Arenado? Of course, because you could put a young guy over there and he might produce as well. Noot is not productive enough to be a starter. He's a 4th OF. Walker could be a star but it's going to take time. Same with Scott. This team is in need of pitching the most. They need 1 to 2 top tier starters. Without that they will continue to struggle.

[ClassicO]

50 threads focused on selling for every 1 thread discussing actually "building" the team back strongly indicates the focus is way out of balance. Even if the ideas are followed, it won't be nearly enough and by then Mo will be exhausted and have no time left to build the team back...

I've posted this before about the three building blocks for a World Series team:

1. Draft: They are drafting higher, so now they need to improve development (spend more money on staff like the LAD and Brewers*).
2. Trades: Trades even out for the most part, but they need to do it with roster construction in mind and don't miss opportunities with fear.
3. Free Agency: This includes international free agency, where the Cards suck and WS winners do well. The Cards suck at free agency for RP and never acquire a Tier 1 starter. They can't win a World Series if they don't spend on a top-tier guy. And they need to invest heavily in Latin and Asian countries so they can sign better IFAs.

So the "building" has to include trading guys who are otherwise worthless - or don't fit - in 2026 (FA), but it's not a panacea. The sin is NOT trying.

* Katie Woo's great article on the Cards' poor development efforts. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/579826 ... ed_article
"Other clubs invested more in their models than the Cardinals were investing in theirs. As innovation spread through the industry, the Cardinals stagnated. Their advantage began to slip."