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

[rockondlouie]

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.

I was talking about 2026 CC, I think they're waiting to see how renewals/new season ticket sales and multi game packages goes which is why we got no news when Dewitt was asked about payroll at the news conference.

[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.

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.

I fear you might be right. It definitely figures into the equation. I suppose they could try a team salary cap, but I don't think players would go for it. We've already been down this road before. That being said, the owners always have the upper hand. They're billionaires and as we've seen, billionaires don't really care how many people hurt or for how long as long as they get their way. Players on the other hand are on the clock. They only have a finite amount of time to make their money and set their families up for life.

[RunSup]

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.

Understood. Best wishes and blessings to you, CCard.

Not sure there is anything to do except stay with us to 2028. God willing.

But in the mean time, join me in rooting for the Purdue Boilermaker men's basketball team. The one team I've rooted for the last few years that has provided return on investment of sports passion. Even if they lose the last game of their season.

The Big 10 season starts after Thanksgiving. The Boiler Train is moving out. You don't need no ticket. Just climb on board.

In the grand scheme it's all meaningless. Just something to enjoy.

[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.

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

The issue is the owners will fail to get the cap.

[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.

I fear you might be right. It definitely figures into the equation. I suppose they could try a team salary cap, but I don't think players would go for it. We've already been down this road before. That being said, the owners always have the upper hand. They're billionaires and as we've seen, billionaires don't really care how many people hurt or for how long as long as they get their way. Players on the other hand are on the clock. They only have a finite amount of time to make their money and set their families up for life.

The players are united against a cap. The owners are not united on getting a cap and floor. The Dodgers and Mets are not all in on a cap and teams like the Pirates won’t be fighting for a floor.

[Carp4Cy]

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.

I was talking about 2026 CC, I think they're waiting to see how renewals/new season ticket sales and multi game packages goes which is why we got no news when Dewitt was asked about payroll at the news conference.

Oh please. The fans are waiting to see if there's anyone worth watching on this roster before they buy tickets. BDW has morphed from a savvy investor 30 years ago to a scared reactor.