Maybe I look at it with the eyes of an old man...

[renostl]

As an old man I have seen world champions in 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, and 2011 and several other workd series. I have seen a team since 2000 that was competitive and enjoyable for for all but three years. I enjoyed the Whitey success of the 1980s. I have been well rewarded for my years of Fandom.

We all want to see them win but this most recent model needs updated. There will be some leaner years. I may never see the results but I hope younger fans get to see even a portion of the success I have seen.

I also have the eyes of an old man but I dont feel entitled to one more championship or anything else ir that matter just because I am old. I understand changes have to be made to the team and a new model for sustained success found. I had many Cub friends who died before they ever saw a champion. I have been lucky to choose the Cardinals as my team. I think they will find their way again and I will enjoy them as they try to find a new combination of players.

We’ve all seen a lot of titles. We’re not entitled to one. We are however, entitled to their effort.

Your opinion of an acceptable effort is your opinion. It is not everyone's opinion. I think attempting to rebuild a roster by revamping the entire system to employ a sustainable roster that competes in the future is an effort. Some thinking throwing lots of money at it is the only acceptable effort. I think that method is foolish and not sustainable. Even the Dodgers are not spending all their money today. They are pushing tons of it down the line for somebody else to pay.

This point is one that increases the divisiveness.
Not all spending is the same. Not all trades are the same.

The Cards do not have to hitch their future to $100+ million FA.
They do not have to trade for players that are purely rentals or 3+ years
away prospects. Teams make trades for multiple reasons. The Cards may
do it with Donovan. He is not expensive and he does have some control.

They are fielding a young team already. Money is in good shape and regardless
of moves of the NTC's they are now short timers. They have prospects and just
cut and unprotected a few. The system and the players in the system will improve
or the changes aren't working and more isn't the answer. The effort in revamping is great,
it also what teams do, an expense most do. It is also expected to bare fruit.

IMO both can be done. The MLB roster is important too. Both should be expected.
That doesn't mean the team needs to buy Schwarber, but they could and if they
can't when they have the payroll in this current spot, then all of the words that
have been typed in regard to sustainability will never happen.

[juan good eye]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

Sorry. If they would’ve done this sooner we wouldn’t be talking about 3-5 years out but sadly to many of you are very hard headed about the reality of baseball, just like Mo.

If this helps your perspective at least you got to see some championship teams. Don’t be selfish and force the younger generations to grow up with more mediocrity by begging for the status quo to continue.

Here's the thing you don't seem to get through your hard head. Deconstructing a team only guarantees losses. It doesn't in any way guarantee future success. If it did, Pitts, Cincy, Miami, etc would all be sitting on championships. The Cards just went nearly two decades competing every year and you think that was wrong. 3 million fans year in and year out would argue the point with you.

Nothing is guaranteed. Don’t be so weak minded.

I’ll ignore your lame straw man and leave you with something to gum chew on: smart organizations don’t base their strategies solely on the outcomes of their dumbest peers.

Show me a time when gutting payroll didn't result in losing. There's something for you to chew on.

Sometimes you gotta lose the battle to win the war.

More often, both are lost.

Of course, there are only a handful of elite franchises over each era. Most franchises will falter.

The goal should be to be ranked among the best-of-the-best not in the forgettable middle. Risk is required. If trends continue within ~10 years the Cards will no longer be known as the Yankees of the NL based on WS titles.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

If you get two great years, two good years, and two bad years, isn’t that success. And isn’t that better than the path we have been in n for 12 years.

I’d submit, just about all long term deals, young or old vets, have down years. I think it’s the nature of the beast.

If the great years are great enough and the good years are good enough, overall the contract can work out and the team can get a reasonable value (like ~1 fWAR per $8 million spent) if you average over the entire contract.

But if you want to translate that into team success, into winning NL pennants and World Series, the timing of those great and good years is critical. You mostly need the great years to coincide with when the rest of roster is at its peak as well.

I agree with the sentiment, that the great years need to coincide when the roster is at its peak as well. The GM also needs to fill out the team when that is likely to happen. That is where the Cards severely lacked foresight. Lets look at 2022 when the Cards were last in a decent position to win. They had Goldy and Arenado who were still good. Nobody knew they would finish 1 and 3 in the MVP. Tyler O'Neil was top 10 MVP the year before. We had peak Tommy Edman and Harrison Bader. The end of the Molina era. If there was a year to go for it, it was 2022. The big signing, Steven Matz, who had an injury history and promtly got hurt. Kevin Gausman was available that offseason and ultimately signed a reasonable deal the following year with the Blue Jays. Quintana was available we eventually traded Oviedo for him. A much better strategy would have been to sign Gausman to his 5/$110M deal, sign Quintana to the 1 year deal and the Cards would likely have avoided the wild card round altogether. You need an ace and they refused to sign one. I can't remember the last team to win a WS without a true ace.

I agree the team has been in a position where they had a core that could contend for a title and failed to go all in. Very frustrating. Hopefully the new regime will avoid this mistake when the core pieces come together and make an investment.

[Adam2]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

based on the age poll of the forum from 6 or 8 months ago i fear a majority of the board is in a similar situation as you. Or closer to it. I am 41 and i think i was the second youngest person to respond out of over 20. From that standpoint i can completely understand your point of view.

I don't want to see them lose, but i have more time to be patient as a fan. When i'm further along, i guarantee i'll want ownership to do everything they can right this minute to improve the team.

anyway, i hope your wealth is well and remains well and we can celebrate the next title together whether that's 2026 or 2032

[CCard]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

based on the age poll of the forum from 6 or 8 months ago i fear a majority of the board is in a similar situation as you. Or closer to it. I am 41 and i think i was the second youngest person to respond out of over 20. From that standpoint i can completely understand your point of view.

I don't want to see them lose, but i have more time to be patient as a fan. When i'm further along, i guarantee i'll want ownership to do everything they can right this minute to improve the team.

anyway, i hope your wealth is well and remains well and we can celebrate the next title together whether that's 2026 or 2032

Thank you for your kind words. I thinking about the fact that the power teams almost never do a 3 to 5 year rebuild. They plan on challenging every year. It doesn't work out sometimes because of injuries or poor play, but they don't wait until they draft good and bring up a bunch of minor leaguers.

[CCard]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

The good news CC is C. Bloom is on record saying even though he won't take his eye off the LT goal of re-building a pipeline of talent thru the system he also won't concede any single season w/o a fight, including 2026.

I expect he'll improve the 2025 roster thru trades & smart (low cost) free agent signings and the 2026 team will be much better than the 2025 edition.

From your mouth to God's ears brother. I just want to win.

Ditto

While I'm 100% on board w/C. Bloom rebuilding/restocking the farm system I've been saying for over a year now, "unlike Mo Bloom is perfectly capable of walking (rebuilding the minor league system) & chewing gum (fielding a roster that can compete for a playoff spot).

Of course the latter depends heavily on BDWJr and what payroll he sets for Bloom.

(JMO but I think they're waiting to see how season ticket sales and multiple game packages go---bad would be my guess---before they set payroll for 2026)

Maybe. I think they're waiting to see how the CBA shakes out. Who knows, maybe they'll pleasantly surprise us both.

[CCard]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

I think it's the new reality of the tv deal reducing interest in the team and revenue. We are "hoping" to catch lightening in a bottle.

True that tv and broadcast rights play a part no doubt, but this team made a lot of bank over the past nearly two decades and it's time for them to go out on the limb a bit for the fans. Winning teams that are exciting tend to get lucrative broadcast deals. Teams that tank not so much.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

based on the age poll of the forum from 6 or 8 months ago i fear a majority of the board is in a similar situation as you. Or closer to it. I am 41 and i think i was the second youngest person to respond out of over 20. From that standpoint i can completely understand your point of view.

I don't want to see them lose, but i have more time to be patient as a fan. When i'm further along, i guarantee i'll want ownership to do everything they can right this minute to improve the team.

anyway, i hope your wealth is well and remains well and we can celebrate the next title together whether that's 2026 or 2032

You were a young one- the board was heavy from 70-80 years old. As noted from the Stones— “t-I-m-e -s, not on their side, no it ain’t. “

[mattmitchl44]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

based on the age poll of the forum from 6 or 8 months ago i fear a majority of the board is in a similar situation as you. Or closer to it. I am 41 and i think i was the second youngest person to respond out of over 20. From that standpoint i can completely understand your point of view.

I don't want to see them lose, but i have more time to be patient as a fan. When i'm further along, i guarantee i'll want ownership to do everything they can right this minute to improve the team.

anyway, i hope your wealth is well and remains well and we can celebrate the next title together whether that's 2026 or 2032

Yes, and not to say for right or wrong, I (age 56) think that a lot of the overall perspective that you see on CT is a function of the majority of posters being in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

based on the age poll of the forum from 6 or 8 months ago i fear a majority of the board is in a similar situation as you. Or closer to it. I am 41 and i think i was the second youngest person to respond out of over 20. From that standpoint i can completely understand your point of view.

I don't want to see them lose, but i have more time to be patient as a fan. When i'm further along, i guarantee i'll want ownership to do everything they can right this minute to improve the team.

anyway, i hope your wealth is well and remains well and we can celebrate the next title together whether that's 2026 or 2032

Yes, and not to say for right or wrong, I (age 56) think that a lot of the overall perspective that you see on CT is a function of the majority of posters being in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.

As you both will experience, once you age, you become paranoid in many ways. Especially in loss. It’s not a learned behavior; it’s an experience behavior. Unavoidable.

[mattmitchl44]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

based on the age poll of the forum from 6 or 8 months ago i fear a majority of the board is in a similar situation as you. Or closer to it. I am 41 and i think i was the second youngest person to respond out of over 20. From that standpoint i can completely understand your point of view.

I don't want to see them lose, but i have more time to be patient as a fan. When i'm further along, i guarantee i'll want ownership to do everything they can right this minute to improve the team.

anyway, i hope your wealth is well and remains well and we can celebrate the next title together whether that's 2026 or 2032

Yes, and not to say for right or wrong, I (age 56) think that a lot of the overall perspective that you see on CT is a function of the majority of posters being in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.

As you both will experience, once you age, you become paranoid in many ways. Especially in loss. It’s not a learned behavior; it’s an experience behavior. Unavoidable.

I intend to keep my rigorous adherence to entirely fact-based positions even as I get older.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

based on the age poll of the forum from 6 or 8 months ago i fear a majority of the board is in a similar situation as you. Or closer to it. I am 41 and i think i was the second youngest person to respond out of over 20. From that standpoint i can completely understand your point of view.

I don't want to see them lose, but i have more time to be patient as a fan. When i'm further along, i guarantee i'll want ownership to do everything they can right this minute to improve the team.

anyway, i hope your wealth is well and remains well and we can celebrate the next title together whether that's 2026 or 2032

Yes, and not to say for right or wrong, I (age 56) think that a lot of the overall perspective that you see on CT is a function of the majority of posters being in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.

As you both will experience, once you age, you become paranoid in many ways. Especially in loss. It’s not a learned behavior; it’s an experience behavior. Unavoidable.

I intend to keep my rigorous adherence to entirely fact-based positions even as I get older.

I’m certain you will maintain the highest of standards and expect the same. Me? I sometimes feel like a pawn outplayed by a dominating queen. Ha.

Spent last hour listening to Elton.

[Stlcardsblues]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

They do not intend to compete in spending with the Dodgers and Yankees after this rebuild.

This rebuild is 100% a smoke screen to buy Dewitt time to get to the impending labor stoppage. He is gambling this organizations future on a salary cap. He wants a young core in place for the introduction of a cap where other teams will have to cut spending to his level.

Then he would be able to sell increased spending and an exciting young core.

This gamble will fail as the attempts at a cap will fail. This is going to be a dark era for baseball in STL for the next generation.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

They do not intend to compete in spending with the Dodgers and Yankees after this rebuild.

This rebuild is 100% a smoke screen to buy Dewitt time to get to the impending labor stoppage. He is gambling this organizations future on a salary cap. He wants a young core in place for the introduction of a cap where other teams will have to cut spending to his level.

Then he would be able to sell increased spending and an exciting young core.

This gamble will fail as the attempts at a cap will fail. This is going to be a dark era for baseball in STL for the next generation.

Next generation. We are there now. Just six years shy of longest non WS appearance- 18, since 1946.

[mattmitchl44]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

They do not intend to compete in spending with the Dodgers and Yankees after this rebuild.

This rebuild is 100% a smoke screen to buy Dewitt time to get to the impending labor stoppage. He is gambling this organizations future on a salary cap. He wants a young core in place for the introduction of a cap where other teams will have to cut spending to his level.

Then he would be able to sell increased spending and an exciting young core.

This gamble will fail as the attempts at a cap will fail. This is going to be a dark era for baseball in STL for the next generation.

Considering where the Cardinals project to be, a salary cap/salary floor structure would probably help them as much or more than other teams.

[ScotchMIrish]

Some on here are proponents of intentionally making the team worse in the short term to try to catch lightning in a bottle long term. They say 3 to 5 years and we'll have a super team. On par to the Dodgers and Yankees of MLB. I might be biased in that I'm an old man in ill health and I might not have 3 to 5 years to wait for this vaunted super team. I've been a Cardinals fan since I was a young teenager and it was the one thing that me and my grandfather could relate to together. It helped us grow close. He's been gone a long time now. He got to enjoy Whiteyball in the 80's but he was gone by the time Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright made their marks. He would have loved it. That's why I'm a proponent of getting into the playoffs. At least you give people hope that it can happen. Intentionally losing has a stench about it that just doesn't sit well with me. I may have a few years and I'd hate to see it taken away by some pie in the sky rebuilding plan. Those of us near the end want to challenge and win now, not in 5 years. If anything is for sure it's that not all of us will get that chance. So you see, might vision for the Cards is not the same as some who "have a plan" that would take years. Aside from all the other number crunching, Baseball is about heart, feeling. To me that's what its always been about and I'd hate to deprive the fans of that excitement. Especially those near the end.

I think it's the new reality of the tv deal reducing interest in the team and revenue. We are "hoping" to catch lightening in a bottle.

True that tv and broadcast rights play a part no doubt, but this team made a lot of bank over the past nearly two decades and it's time for them to go out on the limb a bit for the fans. Winning teams that are exciting tend to get lucrative broadcast deals. Teams that tank not so much.

I have no inside information but based upon the current direction of the team I believe DeWitt III is now running the team. He appears to have a different approach from DeWitt Jr.