What can we really expect in 2026?

[2ninr]

I think Mo being gone will provide unseen benefits. The whole organization will perform better. I suspect he had the same effect on them personally as he did the fans. In order to win more games, however, we would also need for one of Gorman or Walker to break out, Wetherholt to play at an above average level, and for the Sp to be at least average.
That would probably keep us out of the basement.

[HOUCARD]

I think Mo being gone will provide unseen benefits. The whole organization will perform better. I suspect he had the same effect on them personally as he did the fans. In order to win more games, however, we would also need for one of Gorman or Walker to break out, Wetherholt to play at an above average level, and for the Sp to be at least average.
That would probably keep us out of the basement.

Hmmm. Not sure, even with what you say, the Cards are better than the Brewers, Cubs, Reds, or Pirates.

[2ninr]

I think Mo being gone will provide unseen benefits. The whole organization will perform better. I suspect he had the same effect on them personally as he did the fans. In order to win more games, however, we would also need for one of Gorman or Walker to break out, Wetherholt to play at an above average level, and for the Sp to be at least average.
That would probably keep us out of the basement.

Hmmm. Not sure, even with what you say, the Cards are better than the Brewers, Cubs, Reds, or Pirates.

Im not either. That's why I said probably.

[rockondlouie]

I'm on record for a while now as saying the 2026 team will be much better than the 2025 team, more in line w/the 2024 team.

And if they get some career seasons from some players (I. Herrera, Bumbles, M. Winn, Noot), JJW has a ROY worthy season (and I think he will) plus the obvious improvement in the SR (no way they can be worse than Mikolas-Fedde-Pallante stiffs), then they could hang in the playoff hunt a lot longer than some around here thin.

I'm very optimistic, just wish we had a different Manager in the dugout and pitching coach.

[Melville]

The focus from my perspective is player development.

While I love the idea of a super prospect being acquired via trade veterans or minor for minor trade.

It seems to me the biggest improvement will be the returning players themselves. Not due to the natural progression but with the new labs being built and utilized along with additional staff being in place to work with these players.

Is this realistic expectations from your opinion? Can this one leg alone support this team into a playoff contender?

"What can we really expect in 2026"?
Answer: a winning record.
Now, The Marmot is likely too weak of a manager to achieve it.
But it certainly is possible and should be the expectation.

[OldRed]

Many who post here have always said being a .500 team is being competitive. This would be a year I think .500 would be a huge success.

[Talkin' Baseball]

The focus from my perspective is player development.

While I love the idea of a super prospect being acquired via trade veterans or minor for minor trade.

It seems to me the biggest improvement will be the returning players themselves. Not due to the natural progression but with the new labs being built and utilized along with additional staff being in place to work with these players.

Is this realistic expectations from your opinion? Can this one leg alone support this team into a playoff contender?

"What can we really expect in 2026"?
Answer: a winning record.
Now, The Marmot is likely too weak of a manager to achieve it.
But it certainly is possible and should be the expectation.

We certainly don't know if it is possible. There is way to much expected roster turnover to know what we can expect yet.

[Melville]

The focus from my perspective is player development.

While I love the idea of a super prospect being acquired via trade veterans or minor for minor trade.

It seems to me the biggest improvement will be the returning players themselves. Not due to the natural progression but with the new labs being built and utilized along with additional staff being in place to work with these players.

Is this realistic expectations from your opinion? Can this one leg alone support this team into a playoff contender?

"What can we really expect in 2026"?
Answer: a winning record.
Now, The Marmot is likely too weak of a manager to achieve it.
But it certainly is possible and should be the expectation.

We certainly don't know if it is possible. There is way to much expected roster turnover to know what we can expect yet.

Of course it is possible.
Based on the current roster, and Bloom's stated objective to again trade N/A, it should be expected.

[Talkin' Baseball]

The focus from my perspective is player development.

While I love the idea of a super prospect being acquired via trade veterans or minor for minor trade.

It seems to me the biggest improvement will be the returning players themselves. Not due to the natural progression but with the new labs being built and utilized along with additional staff being in place to work with these players.

Is this realistic expectations from your opinion? Can this one leg alone support this team into a playoff contender?

"What can we really expect in 2026"?
Answer: a winning record.
Now, The Marmot is likely too weak of a manager to achieve it.
But it certainly is possible and should be the expectation.

We certainly don't know if it is possible. There is way to much expected roster turnover to know what we can expect yet.

Of course it is possible.
Based on the current roster, and Bloom's stated objective to again trade N/A, it should be expected.

"Based on the current roster"... Get back to me on that one. One of the things that we can expect for 2026 is that the current roster will not be the 2026 roster.

[Melville]

The focus from my perspective is player development.

While I love the idea of a super prospect being acquired via trade veterans or minor for minor trade.

It seems to me the biggest improvement will be the returning players themselves. Not due to the natural progression but with the new labs being built and utilized along with additional staff being in place to work with these players.

Is this realistic expectations from your opinion? Can this one leg alone support this team into a playoff contender?

"What can we really expect in 2026"?
Answer: a winning record.
Now, The Marmot is likely too weak of a manager to achieve it.
But it certainly is possible and should be the expectation.

We certainly don't know if it is possible. There is way to much expected roster turnover to know what we can expect yet.

Of course it is possible.
Based on the current roster, and Bloom's stated objective to again trade N/A, it should be expected.

"Based on the current roster"... Get back to me on that one. One of the things that we can expect for 2026 is that the current roster will not be the 2026 roster.

As mentioned, the removal of N/A - which is widely viewed as a fait accompli - will alone make the team better.

[Talkin' Baseball]

The focus from my perspective is player development.

While I love the idea of a super prospect being acquired via trade veterans or minor for minor trade.

It seems to me the biggest improvement will be the returning players themselves. Not due to the natural progression but with the new labs being built and utilized along with additional staff being in place to work with these players.

Is this realistic expectations from your opinion? Can this one leg alone support this team into a playoff contender?

"What can we really expect in 2026"?
Answer: a winning record.
Now, The Marmot is likely too weak of a manager to achieve it.
But it certainly is possible and should be the expectation.

We certainly don't know if it is possible. There is way to much expected roster turnover to know what we can expect yet.

Of course it is possible.
Based on the current roster, and Bloom's stated objective to again trade N/A, it should be expected.

"Based on the current roster"... Get back to me on that one. One of the things that we can expect for 2026 is that the current roster will not be the 2026 roster.

As mentioned, the removal of N/A - which is widely viewed as a fait accompli - will alone make the team better.

The removal of Arenado will be good for the structure of the roster, the development potential for someone, and payroll flexibility. If you think putting Gorman there for an extended run will make the team better, that's doubtful. I'm open to being pleasantly surprised. I hope I am, but that's not one of the things I am expecting with the 2026 team.

[Mort Gage]

Last season Donovan led the team with a 2.7 bWAR. From an ESPN article they were the only team without a 3 WAR player. It also marked the first time since 1903 the team lacked a 3 WAR guy.

I think it's folly to agonize over Ws and Ls next year. I will focus on player improvement, and likely pay extra attention to the minors and how to their development is going.

[Goldfan]

The focus from my perspective is player development.

While I love the idea of a super prospect being acquired via trade veterans or minor for minor trade.

It seems to me the biggest improvement will be the returning players themselves. Not due to the natural progression but with the new labs being built and utilized along with additional staff being in place to work with these players.

Is this realistic expectations from your opinion? Can this one leg alone support this team into a playoff contender?

What’s ticket Cost/scale for watching “Player Dev” in an MLB stadium? Do I get a rebate on my Fanduel Subscription?

[Goldfan]

How many street FA’s are they allowing in camp this spring?? I hear some of the farm boys out in the plains are heading east to the big city before planting season…..the next Mantle may be a train ride away…..golly gee

[Melville]

The focus from my perspective is player development.

While I love the idea of a super prospect being acquired via trade veterans or minor for minor trade.

It seems to me the biggest improvement will be the returning players themselves. Not due to the natural progression but with the new labs being built and utilized along with additional staff being in place to work with these players.

Is this realistic expectations from your opinion? Can this one leg alone support this team into a playoff contender?

"What can we really expect in 2026"?
Answer: a winning record.
Now, The Marmot is likely too weak of a manager to achieve it.
But it certainly is possible and should be the expectation.

We certainly don't know if it is possible. There is way to much expected roster turnover to know what we can expect yet.

Of course it is possible.
Based on the current roster, and Bloom's stated objective to again trade N/A, it should be expected.

"Based on the current roster"... Get back to me on that one. One of the things that we can expect for 2026 is that the current roster will not be the 2026 roster.

As mentioned, the removal of N/A - which is widely viewed as a fait accompli - will alone make the team better.

The removal of Arenado will be good for the structure of the roster, the development potential for someone, and payroll flexibility. If you think putting Gorman there for an extended run will make the team better, that's doubtful. I'm open to being pleasantly surprised. I hope I am, but that's not one of the things I am expecting with the 2026 team.

The team as of today has anywhere from 3 to 5 players who would be an upgrade over N/A at 3B - including Gorman.

[Talkin' Baseball]

The focus from my perspective is player development.

While I love the idea of a super prospect being acquired via trade veterans or minor for minor trade.

It seems to me the biggest improvement will be the returning players themselves. Not due to the natural progression but with the new labs being built and utilized along with additional staff being in place to work with these players.

Is this realistic expectations from your opinion? Can this one leg alone support this team into a playoff contender?

"What can we really expect in 2026"?
Answer: a winning record.
Now, The Marmot is likely too weak of a manager to achieve it.
But it certainly is possible and should be the expectation.

We certainly don't know if it is possible. There is way to much expected roster turnover to know what we can expect yet.

Of course it is possible.
Based on the current roster, and Bloom's stated objective to again trade N/A, it should be expected.

"Based on the current roster"... Get back to me on that one. One of the things that we can expect for 2026 is that the current roster will not be the 2026 roster.

As mentioned, the removal of N/A - which is widely viewed as a fait accompli - will alone make the team better.

The removal of Arenado will be good for the structure of the roster, the development potential for someone, and payroll flexibility. If you think putting Gorman there for an extended run will make the team better, that's doubtful. I'm open to being pleasantly surprised. I hope I am, but that's not one of the things I am expecting with the 2026 team.

The team as of today has anywhere from 3 to 5 players who would be an upgrade over N/A at 3B - including Gorman.

One will be their 2B, one will be traded, and no, Gorman is not an upgrade over Arenado. Not sure who else you might be referring to.