Cards on pace to miss wildcard by 5 or 6 games

[scoutyjones2]

If Walker had not played
Who gets those abats
They would not trade for anyone
It would had to be someone on the 40 roster or in minors

So you could have had an OF stable of Noot (+2.0 bWAR), VS2 (+2.4 bWAR), Burleson (+1.6 bWAR) and Donovan (+2.3 bWAR).
With some foresight, they could have worked with Herrera on OF reps during the last off season to have him ready for more exposure in LF this year.
Then there was Koperniak, Antico and Church in milb that might have settled into a 5th OF role with time. Even Church's less than great first look start at the show, he still is at +0.1 bWAR even with a sub .500 OPS. Defense factors, even though many don't accept that.
Walker has a -1.4 bWAR so far this season. It's possible his innings given to the mix above would reverse that into around a +1.4 bWAR.
Right there is about a potential 3 win difference. That's significant. Walker's defense is bad, and not getting better with a larger sample size than we had early in the season.
I actually think once Church gets more adjusted to MLB, he could have achieved around a +1.4 himself with Walker's playing time, but that's just speculation on my part.

Screw that Nostradumbass, give me the Powerball numbers!

[tgharris]

So what's worse? Missing the playoffs? Or sneaking in by the skin of their teeth, and getting smoked on national TV in a bunting decorated, half empty stadium?

Talking about for the self-respect of the organization. (I know....I know....)

[Bomber1]

So in hindsight, if the Cards had just traded Fedde in last year's offseason and replaced him with McGreevy to start the season, and had not given Walker basically an all season runway, one could project they might be right with the Mets currently. They also could have more aggressively called up JJW say post AS game, and one could again project he would have put up a positive WAR and possibly injected some new life into a sputtering engine.
Of course the problem with projections is they often don't pan out as well as, ............. projected, lol, so you never know how the alternative scenario really would have played out.
Kinda been saying it all year, the Cards may not be that far away and in 2026 I think they could factor in the PO's, but not that confident if that's not the Cards FO's focus, and they're still in whatever mode we're currently in. To be fair maybe to still have the focus on rebuilding next year is the better path longer term, but as a fan, patience is often lacking.

This team is 6 1/2 games out of last place and 16 1/2 out of first.

They are not going to compete in 2026 regardless of what Bloom does.

And that’s ok as long as we see progress in the young players they keep.

This nonsense (not saying it’s you) of considering a season successful because your team finishes in the top 40% of your league needs to end.

Division titles are any team’s best chance of going deep in October, not 3rd wildcard one and done.

Everybody who says “they’re not that far away” needs to remember that several players who have helped enable them to be “not that far away” ( Donovan, Nootbaar as examples) probably wont be here next year.

[Ozziesfan41]

So in hindsight, if the Cards had just traded Fedde in last year's offseason and replaced him with McGreevy to start the season, and had not given Walker basically an all season runway, one could project they might be right with the Mets currently. They also could have more aggressively called up JJW say post AS game, and one could again project he would have put up a positive WAR and possibly injected some new life into a sputtering engine.
Of course the problem with projections is they often don't pan out as well as, ............. projected, lol, so you never know how the alternative scenario really would have played out.
Kinda been saying it all year, the Cards may not be that far away and in 2026 I think they could factor in the PO's, but not that confident if that's not the Cards FO's focus, and they're still in whatever mode we're currently in. To be fair maybe to still have the focus on rebuilding next year is the better path longer term, but as a fan, patience is often lacking.

This team is 6 1/2 games out of last place and 16 1/2 out of first.

They are not going to compete in 2026 regardless of what Bloom does.

And that’s ok as long as we see progress in the young players they keep.

This nonsense (not saying it’s you) of considering a season successful because your team finishes in the top 40% of your league needs to end.

Division titles are any team’s best chance of going deep in October, not 3rd wildcard one and done.

Everybody who says “they’re not that far away” needs to remember that several players who have helped enable them to be “not that far away” ( Donovan, Nootbaar as examples) probably wont be here next year.

+1 the offense needs an overhaul and the pitching staff needs an overhaul other than that yea theyre not far away lol

[passthebuck]

DeWitt has become the Jerry Jones of baseball.

[JDW]

So in hindsight, if the Cards had just traded Fedde in last year's offseason and replaced him with McGreevy to start the season, and had not given Walker basically an all season runway, one could project they might be right with the Mets currently. They also could have more aggressively called up JJW say post AS game, and one could again project he would have put up a positive WAR and possibly injected some new life into a sputtering engine.
Of course the problem with projections is they often don't pan out as well as, ............. projected, lol, so you never know how the alternative scenario really would have played out.
Kinda been saying it all year, the Cards may not be that far away and in 2026 I think they could factor in the PO's, but not that confident if that's not the Cards FO's focus, and they're still in whatever mode we're currently in. To be fair maybe to still have the focus on rebuilding next year is the better path longer term, but as a fan, patience is often lacking.

This team is 6 1/2 games out of last place and 16 1/2 out of first.

They are not going to compete in 2026 regardless of what Bloom does.

And that’s ok as long as we see progress in the young players they keep.

This nonsense (not saying it’s you) of considering a season successful because your team finishes in the top 40% of your league needs to end.

Division titles are any team’s best chance of going deep in October, not 3rd wildcard one and done.

Everybody who says “they’re not that far away” needs to remember that several players who have helped enable them to be “not that far away” ( Donovan, Nootbaar as examples) probably wont be here next year.

Lot's of good points.
I'd like to think any trades involving Donovan, Noot, etc. bring back at least equal value back, but granted if their trade values are used for prospects not yet MLB ready, then your point is very valid. If it's instead used to bring back a quality MLB pitcher as an ex. who could rival or exceed their production, then not so much.
Sure, winning division titles is the best path and gives the team the best chance to advance, but this team is currently ahead of where the 2011 team was as far as games back of the last WC, and the negativity on CT on this date in 2011 was very common. Also, the 2006 team finished at 83-79, so luck did played a huge part in both those years, and counting on that to happen again anytime soon is for sure not the ideal path, but is it the most doable shorter term?
Then, just how good will Wetherholt be? None of us know, but IF he is a +5 type WAR player right off the bat, well, that's a significant upgrade over this years team. Then there's always the hope with Bernal, Joshua Baez, Doyle and some others.
So yes, when I say I think the Cards may not be that far away, I'm talking in the short term about just getting into the PO's. Doesn't mean I would consider the season a success, but getting the trend upward again wouldn't be a failure either.
Just signing or trading for 1 decent SP going into 2026 at the least could make that team still relevant this time next year, but who knows?
Surprise teams in sports happen every year, both for the good and the bad.

[Carp4Cy]

So in hindsight, if the Cards had just traded Fedde in last year's offseason and replaced him with McGreevy to start the season, and had not given Walker basically an all season runway, one could project they might be right with the Mets currently. They also could have more aggressively called up JJW say post AS game, and one could again project he would have put up a positive WAR and possibly injected some new life into a sputtering engine.
Of course the problem with projections is they often don't pan out as well as, ............. projected, lol, so you never know how the alternative scenario really would have played out.
Kinda been saying it all year, the Cards may not be that far away and in 2026 I think they could factor in the PO's, but not that confident if that's not the Cards FO's focus, and they're still in whatever mode we're currently in. To be fair maybe to still have the focus on rebuilding next year is the better path longer term, but as a fan, patience is often lacking.

And they could have done all this and gotten some playoff games and STILL had Bloom focused on the MiLB system and development and the draft all year. It didn't have to be one or the other. You don't have to suck to win later.

[JDW]

If Walker had not played
Who gets those abats
They would not trade for anyone
It would had to be someone on the 40 roster or in minors

So you could have had an OF stable of Noot (+2.0 bWAR), VS2 (+2.4 bWAR), Burleson (+1.6 bWAR) and Donovan (+2.3 bWAR).
With some foresight, they could have worked with Herrera on OF reps during the last off season to have him ready for more exposure in LF this year.
Then there was Koperniak, Antico and Church in milb that might have settled into a 5th OF role with time. Even Church's less than great first look start at the show, he still is at +0.1 bWAR even with a sub .500 OPS. Defense factors, even though many don't accept that.
Walker has a -1.4 bWAR so far this season. It's possible his innings given to the mix above would reverse that into around a +1.4 bWAR.
Right there is about a potential 3 win difference. That's significant. Walker's defense is bad, and not getting better with a larger sample size than we had early in the season.
I actually think once Church gets more adjusted to MLB, he could have achieved around a +1.4 himself with Walker's playing time, but that's just speculation on my part.

Screw that Nostradumbass, give me the Powerball numbers!

I wasn't the one who made any predictions on here, but wait, didn't you just recently?
Oh yeah, something about Rainiel Rodriguez, where you said something along the lines of "bet he never makes it to the big leagues."
Then Huge took you up on that bet right away. I also followed and suggested a $100 bet that he would.
Did you disappear then, or are we on? It's only chump change after all.

[JDW]

So in hindsight, if the Cards had just traded Fedde in last year's offseason and replaced him with McGreevy to start the season, and had not given Walker basically an all season runway, one could project they might be right with the Mets currently. They also could have more aggressively called up JJW say post AS game, and one could again project he would have put up a positive WAR and possibly injected some new life into a sputtering engine.
Of course the problem with projections is they often don't pan out as well as, ............. projected, lol, so you never know how the alternative scenario really would have played out.
Kinda been saying it all year, the Cards may not be that far away and in 2026 I think they could factor in the PO's, but not that confident if that's not the Cards FO's focus, and they're still in whatever mode we're currently in. To be fair maybe to still have the focus on rebuilding next year is the better path longer term, but as a fan, patience is often lacking.

And they could have done all this and gotten some playoff games and STILL had Bloom focused on the MiLB system and development and the draft all year. It didn't have to be one or the other. You don't have to suck to win later.

Yep, and that's kinda my point if I have one. Try to construct a roster that may be able to compete for a WC next year if things go relatively well, while also having focus for the future, which they should always be doing anyway. IF you make the PO's, hope to get hot at the right time.
Perhaps I'm overly optimistic, who knows?

[Carp4Cy]

So in hindsight, if the Cards had just traded Fedde in last year's offseason and replaced him with McGreevy to start the season, and had not given Walker basically an all season runway, one could project they might be right with the Mets currently. They also could have more aggressively called up JJW say post AS game, and one could again project he would have put up a positive WAR and possibly injected some new life into a sputtering engine.
Of course the problem with projections is they often don't pan out as well as, ............. projected, lol, so you never know how the alternative scenario really would have played out.
Kinda been saying it all year, the Cards may not be that far away and in 2026 I think they could factor in the PO's, but not that confident if that's not the Cards FO's focus, and they're still in whatever mode we're currently in. To be fair maybe to still have the focus on rebuilding next year is the better path longer term, but as a fan, patience is often lacking.

This team is 6 1/2 games out of last place and 16 1/2 out of first.

They are not going to compete in 2026 regardless of what Bloom does.

And that’s ok as long as we see progress in the young players they keep.

This nonsense (not saying it’s you) of considering a season successful because your team finishes in the top 40% of your league needs to end.

Division titles are any team’s best chance of going deep in October, not 3rd wildcard one and done.

Everybody who says “they’re not that far away” needs to remember that several players who have helped enable them to be “not that far away” ( Donovan, Nootbaar as examples) probably wont be here next year.

Lot's of good points.
I'd like to think any trades involving Donovan, Noot, etc. bring back at least equal value back, but granted if their trade values are used for prospects not yet MLB ready, then your point is very valid. If it's instead used to bring back a quality MLB pitcher as an ex. who could rival or exceed their production, then not so much.
Sure, winning division titles is the best path and gives the team the best chance to advance, but this team is currently ahead of where the 2011 team was as far as games back of the last WC, and the negativity on CT on this date in 2011 was very common. Also, the 2006 team finished at 83-79, so luck did played a huge part in both those years, and counting on that to happen again anytime soon is for sure not the ideal path, but is it the most doable shorter term?
Then, just how good will Wetherholt be? None of us know, but IF he is a +5 type WAR player right off the bat, well, that's a significant upgrade over this years team. Then there's always the hope with Bernal, Joshua Baez, Doyle and some others.
So yes, when I say I think the Cards may not be that far away, I'm talking in the short term about just getting into the PO's. Doesn't mean I would consider the season a success, but getting the trend upward again wouldn't be a failure either.
Just signing or trading for 1 decent SP going into 2026 at the least could make that team still relevant this time next year, but who knows?
Surprise teams in sports happen every year, both for the good and the bad.

Agree with you here. I don't want to trade any of our WAR leaders for more lotto ticket prospects that aren't MLB ready by 2026 - we are going to run out of room to put them in the minors, not to mention run out of players to take competitive ABs and pitch innings in the majors. Plus "prospects" are notoriously overvalued and their most likely case future WAR expectation of what we get in return is probably lower than Donny provides, so its a net decrease in talent. That only works if you are an owner trying to save every penny at the cost of ever being relevant again.

Trade value for value, and remember that there is already plenty of dry powder to sign strategic FAs or make trades for salaried talent and still keep payroll under $160M.

Plenty of opportunity for Bloom to try to compete next year. Question is, will he take the opportunity?

[scoutyjones2]

If Walker had not played
Who gets those abats
They would not trade for anyone
It would had to be someone on the 40 roster or in minors

So you could have had an OF stable of Noot (+2.0 bWAR), VS2 (+2.4 bWAR), Burleson (+1.6 bWAR) and Donovan (+2.3 bWAR).
With some foresight, they could have worked with Herrera on OF reps during the last off season to have him ready for more exposure in LF this year.
Then there was Koperniak, Antico and Church in milb that might have settled into a 5th OF role with time. Even Church's less than great first look start at the show, he still is at +0.1 bWAR even with a sub .500 OPS. Defense factors, even though many don't accept that.
Walker has a -1.4 bWAR so far this season. It's possible his innings given to the mix above would reverse that into around a +1.4 bWAR.
Right there is about a potential 3 win difference. That's significant. Walker's defense is bad, and not getting better with a larger sample size than we had early in the season.
I actually think once Church gets more adjusted to MLB, he could have achieved around a +1.4 himself with Walker's playing time, but that's just speculation on my part.

Screw that Nostradumbass, give me the Powerball numbers!

I wasn't the one who made any predictions on here, but wait, didn't you just recently?
Oh yeah, something about Rainiel Rodriguez, where you said something along the lines of "bet he never makes it to the big leagues."
Then Huge took you up on that bet right away. I also followed and suggested a $100 bet that he would.
Did you disappear then, or are we on? It's only chump change after all.

LOL...5 years...10 years from now, how will I collect?

[butsir01]

And you can thank..........

-Pallante
-Mikolas
-Fedde

..............& Oli and MO.

and Donner and Blitzen

Speakin’ of Blitzin’, Boys and Birds on NBC at 7:20.

[82birds]

So in hindsight, if the Cards had just traded Fedde in last year's offseason and replaced him with McGreevy to start the season, and had not given Walker basically an all season runway, one could project they might be right with the Mets currently. They also could have more aggressively called up JJW say post AS game, and one could again project he would have put up a positive WAR and possibly injected some new life into a sputtering engine.
Of course the problem with projections is they often don't pan out as well as, ............. projected, lol, so you never know how the alternative scenario really would have played out.
Kinda been saying it all year, the Cards may not be that far away and in 2026 I think they could factor in the PO's, but not that confident if that's not the Cards FO's focus, and they're still in whatever mode we're currently in. To be fair maybe to still have the focus on rebuilding next year is the better path longer term, but as a fan, patience is often lacking.

This team is 6 1/2 games out of last place and 16 1/2 out of first.

They are not going to compete in 2026 regardless of what Bloom does.

And that’s ok as long as we see progress in the young players they keep.

This nonsense (not saying it’s you) of considering a season successful because your team finishes in the top 40% of your league needs to end.

Division titles are any team’s best chance of going deep in October, not 3rd wildcard one and done.

Everybody who says “they’re not that far away” needs to remember that several players who have helped enable them to be “not that far away” ( Donovan, Nootbaar as examples) probably wont be here next year.

+1 the offense needs an overhaul and the pitching staff needs an overhaul other than that yea theyre not far away lol

[Punkk6]

Would be willing to bet a sizable amount the Cards will not finish 81-81 and starting to think that the Pirates will finish ahead of the poor cards.

[JuanAgosto]

DeWitt has become the Jerry Jones of baseball.

No. Jerry still wants to win. BDW shows no indication of wanting to win. Otherwise, Johnny boy bow ties and the Oli Pud wouldn't be around.

[ecleme22]

So in hindsight, if the Cards had just traded Fedde in last year's offseason and replaced him with McGreevy to start the season, and had not given Walker basically an all season runway, one could project they might be right with the Mets currently. They also could have more aggressively called up JJW say post AS game, and one could again project he would have put up a positive WAR and possibly injected some new life into a sputtering engine.
Of course the problem with projections is they often don't pan out as well as, ............. projected, lol, so you never know how the alternative scenario really would have played out.
Kinda been saying it all year, the Cards may not be that far away and in 2026 I think they could factor in the PO's, but not that confident if that's not the Cards FO's focus, and they're still in whatever mode we're currently in. To be fair maybe to still have the focus on rebuilding next year is the better path longer term, but as a fan, patience is often lacking.

Well, let me say I agree with your sentiment.

The cards were helped last year with Gibson and Lynn’s production. I know you may want to add up WAR, but they helped eat innings and create a bridge to a decent bullpen. There were a lot of games won from them being in the rotation.

With no signings pretty much at all this past offseason and showing zero aggressiveness to get McGreevy in the rotation….

They still sit at a decent 70-71 going into 9/5, despite bad rotation and offense.


If Bloom displays even modest movement this offseason, the team can easily win 86 games or more.