Who is buying tickets for 2026

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Punkk6
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Joined: 28 Mar 2021 16:05 pm

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by Punkk6 »

Should be a lot of FREE tickets floating around same as last year so at least 1 game
Gob
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Posts: 161
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Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by Gob »

I’m traveling to Toronto and New York for the World Cup, so I will probably hit some MLB games in those cities schedule permitting. Might also go to a game in the city where I live. Unlikely will get to St. Louis for any reason.
11WSChamps
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Posts: 5284
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Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by 11WSChamps »

I can get free tickets but doubtful if I take advantage of it.

If family wants too then we'll go.
Stlcardsblues
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Posts: 1268
Joined: 23 May 2024 19:52 pm

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by Stlcardsblues »

CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:46 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:43 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:20 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 12:52 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 11:42 am
CCard wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:41 pm
OldRed wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:11 pm I wonder how it is going at this point. How about you?
No way in hell I'm dropping that kind of money when ownership won't pony up. I can do other things with that money, like go fishing or take a trip to a shrine. They've lost me until they prove they want to compete. I've been a Card follower for 50 years and this is the first time I've felt that they aren't being honest with fans and trying to win. I can still talk about them but I won't spend any money on them.
Curious what part you feel they aren’t being honest about currently.

I fully agree that prior to this offseason they were not and were instead extremely cavalier and arrogant about providing the true goals.

I have found them extremely straight forward this offseason. While I don’t agree with everything being done this offseason, I wasn’t left feeling they were being dishonest.
They're being dishonest about their tanking. There's no reason a team can't field a decent roster and still do all the modifications they talked about. It's simply tanking. It's a terrible way to treat fans that support the team.
Define decent roster. My concern is what you are looking for leaves the team in a constant cycle of mediocrity.
Well, if you consider two world championships a cycle of mediocrity.
What would you have added to make the 2026 Cardinals a serious World Series contender that was realistic?
Pitching is king. Always has been always will be. They could have added top tier pitching. They should have jettisoned Pallante and Mikolas. That would have been a good start.
Adding a top tier pitcher wasn’t making this team a serious World Series contender. They would need to add three or four high end players to get there even if they kept Contreras and Gray. Even at adding three or four top tier players it would still be a long shot.

They eliminated Mikolas. If you think eliminating Pallante and adding a Skubal makes them a World Series contender, you really have been watching with blinders on.
CCard
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Posts: 2217
Joined: 21 Aug 2024 08:39 am

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by CCard »

Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:46 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:43 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:20 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 12:52 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 11:42 am
CCard wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:41 pm
OldRed wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:11 pm I wonder how it is going at this point. How about you?
No way in hell I'm dropping that kind of money when ownership won't pony up. I can do other things with that money, like go fishing or take a trip to a shrine. They've lost me until they prove they want to compete. I've been a Card follower for 50 years and this is the first time I've felt that they aren't being honest with fans and trying to win. I can still talk about them but I won't spend any money on them.
Curious what part you feel they aren’t being honest about currently.

I fully agree that prior to this offseason they were not and were instead extremely cavalier and arrogant about providing the true goals.

I have found them extremely straight forward this offseason. While I don’t agree with everything being done this offseason, I wasn’t left feeling they were being dishonest.
They're being dishonest about their tanking. There's no reason a team can't field a decent roster and still do all the modifications they talked about. It's simply tanking. It's a terrible way to treat fans that support the team.
Define decent roster. My concern is what you are looking for leaves the team in a constant cycle of mediocrity.
Well, if you consider two world championships a cycle of mediocrity.
What would you have added to make the 2026 Cardinals a serious World Series contender that was realistic?
Pitching is king. Always has been always will be. They could have added top tier pitching. They should have jettisoned Pallante and Mikolas. That would have been a good start.
Adding a top tier pitcher wasn’t making this team a serious World Series contender. They would need to add three or four high end players to get there even if they kept Contreras and Gray. Even at adding three or four top tier players it would still be a long shot.

They eliminated Mikolas. If you think eliminating Pallante and adding a Skubal makes them a World Series contender, you really have been watching with blinders on.
We'll just disagree.
Stlcardsblues
Forum User
Posts: 1268
Joined: 23 May 2024 19:52 pm

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by Stlcardsblues »

CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:34 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:46 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:43 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:20 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 12:52 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 11:42 am
CCard wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:41 pm
OldRed wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:11 pm I wonder how it is going at this point. How about you?
No way in hell I'm dropping that kind of money when ownership won't pony up. I can do other things with that money, like go fishing or take a trip to a shrine. They've lost me until they prove they want to compete. I've been a Card follower for 50 years and this is the first time I've felt that they aren't being honest with fans and trying to win. I can still talk about them but I won't spend any money on them.
Curious what part you feel they aren’t being honest about currently.

I fully agree that prior to this offseason they were not and were instead extremely cavalier and arrogant about providing the true goals.

I have found them extremely straight forward this offseason. While I don’t agree with everything being done this offseason, I wasn’t left feeling they were being dishonest.
They're being dishonest about their tanking. There's no reason a team can't field a decent roster and still do all the modifications they talked about. It's simply tanking. It's a terrible way to treat fans that support the team.
Define decent roster. My concern is what you are looking for leaves the team in a constant cycle of mediocrity.
Well, if you consider two world championships a cycle of mediocrity.
What would you have added to make the 2026 Cardinals a serious World Series contender that was realistic?
Pitching is king. Always has been always will be. They could have added top tier pitching. They should have jettisoned Pallante and Mikolas. That would have been a good start.
Adding a top tier pitcher wasn’t making this team a serious World Series contender. They would need to add three or four high end players to get there even if they kept Contreras and Gray. Even at adding three or four top tier players it would still be a long shot.

They eliminated Mikolas. If you think eliminating Pallante and adding a Skubal makes them a World Series contender, you really have been watching with blinders on.
We'll just disagree.
Here is how I view it, tell me where you disagree. I will for this exercise say Gray and Contreras are here still and Arenado was traded.

Here is what each players role would be on a serious World Series contender (I will eliminate the Dodgers as what they have no one is building). This will be compared to the other World Series contenders.

Players who would have a chance to be in the lineup of a serious World Series contender
Winn, Weatherholt, Contreras, Herrera.

Bench bats Donovan, Nootbaar, Burleson (none are starting consistently unless there is an injury).

Players in the minors Crooks, Walker, Saggese, Church and Scott

Players released Pages, Pozo, Gorman

Starting rotation Gray would slot in as a third starter. I am giving you Skubal so he in anchoring your staff. May would be a fifth starter. McGreevey would be the first call up to cover injuries and innings, but wouldn’t be on the post season roster (assuming he isn’t in the Skubal trade).

Dobbins, Fitts, Pallante are all in the minors and covering regular season innings when needed on a spot situation.

Leahy is not in the rotation. But in the minors called up to fill innings in the bullpen.

Of the relievers only Romero and Stanek have shots to see the post season. The rest are in the minors and only called up for regular season games to cover injuries. Svanson is closest to joining Romero and Stanek as impactful relievers, but has a hard time finding opportunities over more seasoned relievers.

Side note, to get impact players it would have to be through trade. No free agent who in the top of the market is signing here unless you drastically over pay when there are teams which are far deeper. The days of this being a prime destination for free agents died when they allowed the organization to fall apart.
Braund241
Forum User
Posts: 786
Joined: 24 May 2024 17:52 pm

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by Braund241 »

OldRed wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:11 pm I wonder how it is going at this point. How about you?
Haven’t been to a game in three years. For the first time in years won’t be buying the baseball package. No desire to watch minor league baseball at major league prices. Hope they don’t lose me forever. Much like the Lakers. I did come back to the Rams though.
CCard
Forum User
Posts: 2217
Joined: 21 Aug 2024 08:39 am

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by CCard »

Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:54 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:34 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:46 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:43 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:20 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 12:52 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 11:42 am
CCard wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:41 pm
OldRed wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:11 pm I wonder how it is going at this point. How about you?
No way in hell I'm dropping that kind of money when ownership won't pony up. I can do other things with that money, like go fishing or take a trip to a shrine. They've lost me until they prove they want to compete. I've been a Card follower for 50 years and this is the first time I've felt that they aren't being honest with fans and trying to win. I can still talk about them but I won't spend any money on them.
Curious what part you feel they aren’t being honest about currently.

I fully agree that prior to this offseason they were not and were instead extremely cavalier and arrogant about providing the true goals.

I have found them extremely straight forward this offseason. While I don’t agree with everything being done this offseason, I wasn’t left feeling they were being dishonest.
They're being dishonest about their tanking. There's no reason a team can't field a decent roster and still do all the modifications they talked about. It's simply tanking. It's a terrible way to treat fans that support the team.
Define decent roster. My concern is what you are looking for leaves the team in a constant cycle of mediocrity.
Well, if you consider two world championships a cycle of mediocrity.
What would you have added to make the 2026 Cardinals a serious World Series contender that was realistic?
Pitching is king. Always has been always will be. They could have added top tier pitching. They should have jettisoned Pallante and Mikolas. That would have been a good start.
Adding a top tier pitcher wasn’t making this team a serious World Series contender. They would need to add three or four high end players to get there even if they kept Contreras and Gray. Even at adding three or four top tier players it would still be a long shot.

They eliminated Mikolas. If you think eliminating Pallante and adding a Skubal makes them a World Series contender, you really have been watching with blinders on.
We'll just disagree.
Here is how I view it, tell me where you disagree. I will for this exercise say Gray and Contreras are here still and Arenado was traded.

Here is what each players role would be on a serious World Series contender (I will eliminate the Dodgers as what they have no one is building). This will be compared to the other World Series contenders.

Players who would have a chance to be in the lineup of a serious World Series contender
Winn, Weatherholt, Contreras, Herrera.

Bench bats Donovan, Nootbaar, Burleson (none are starting consistently unless there is an injury).

Players in the minors Crooks, Walker, Saggese, Church and Scott

Players released Pages, Pozo, Gorman

Starting rotation Gray would slot in as a third starter. I am giving you Skubal so he in anchoring your staff. May would be a fifth starter. McGreevey would be the first call up to cover injuries and innings, but wouldn’t be on the post season roster (assuming he isn’t in the Skubal trade).

Dobbins, Fitts, Pallante are all in the minors and covering regular season innings when needed on a spot situation.

Leahy is not in the rotation. But in the minors called up to fill innings in the bullpen.

Of the relievers only Romero and Stanek have shots to see the post season. The rest are in the minors and only called up for regular season games to cover injuries. Svanson is closest to joining Romero and Stanek as impactful relievers, but has a hard time finding opportunities over more seasoned relievers.

Side note, to get impact players it would have to be through trade. No free agent who in the top of the market is signing here unless you drastically over pay when there are teams which are far deeper. The days of this being a prime destination for free agents died when they allowed the organization to fall apart.
Okay...At the top of the rotation you have two or three legitimate top tier pitchers. In any series you play you have a chance for a shut down starter in each game. You have a complement of capable relievers, if not special. Romero would be your closer. While being a little weak on offense, you could sign a bat to help with the offense. So you get to the playoffs. Your top pitching gets hot shutting down the opposing team, kind of like what Yamamoto did for the Dodgers last year. You move on to the next round and do the same thing. Pretty soon you''re in the World Series and your top two pitchers are vying for MVP. You bring home the trophy.
Or....
You gut the team. Trade away Gray, Contreras, Romero, Donovan etc. You don't contend and lose enough to finish last place while giving fans a reason to stay away in droves. You get good draft picks that take years to develop and when they do start making good money then you start talking about flipping them because you're too cheap to pay top talent and keep it.

Which scenario seems better to you?
Adam2
Forum User
Posts: 1153
Joined: 26 Jun 2024 11:40 am

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by Adam2 »

We usually go to 2 or 3 a year because i get free box tickets from work
RunSup
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Posts: 3388
Joined: 07 Dec 2022 19:08 pm

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by RunSup »

OldRed wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:11 pm I wonder how it is going at this point. How about you?
I will go to several games. I will take my brother when he comes into town.

But no way will I pay full price right now. I will wait for cheap resale tickets after the season starts.
Stlcardsblues
Forum User
Posts: 1268
Joined: 23 May 2024 19:52 pm

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by Stlcardsblues »

CCard wrote: 24 Jan 2026 09:06 am
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:54 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:34 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:46 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:43 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:20 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 12:52 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 11:42 am
CCard wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:41 pm
OldRed wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:11 pm I wonder how it is going at this point. How about you?
No way in hell I'm dropping that kind of money when ownership won't pony up. I can do other things with that money, like go fishing or take a trip to a shrine. They've lost me until they prove they want to compete. I've been a Card follower for 50 years and this is the first time I've felt that they aren't being honest with fans and trying to win. I can still talk about them but I won't spend any money on them.
Curious what part you feel they aren’t being honest about currently.

I fully agree that prior to this offseason they were not and were instead extremely cavalier and arrogant about providing the true goals.

I have found them extremely straight forward this offseason. While I don’t agree with everything being done this offseason, I wasn’t left feeling they were being dishonest.
They're being dishonest about their tanking. There's no reason a team can't field a decent roster and still do all the modifications they talked about. It's simply tanking. It's a terrible way to treat fans that support the team.
Define decent roster. My concern is what you are looking for leaves the team in a constant cycle of mediocrity.
Well, if you consider two world championships a cycle of mediocrity.
What would you have added to make the 2026 Cardinals a serious World Series contender that was realistic?
Pitching is king. Always has been always will be. They could have added top tier pitching. They should have jettisoned Pallante and Mikolas. That would have been a good start.
Adding a top tier pitcher wasn’t making this team a serious World Series contender. They would need to add three or four high end players to get there even if they kept Contreras and Gray. Even at adding three or four top tier players it would still be a long shot.

They eliminated Mikolas. If you think eliminating Pallante and adding a Skubal makes them a World Series contender, you really have been watching with blinders on.
We'll just disagree.
Here is how I view it, tell me where you disagree. I will for this exercise say Gray and Contreras are here still and Arenado was traded.

Here is what each players role would be on a serious World Series contender (I will eliminate the Dodgers as what they have no one is building). This will be compared to the other World Series contenders.

Players who would have a chance to be in the lineup of a serious World Series contender
Winn, Weatherholt, Contreras, Herrera.

Bench bats Donovan, Nootbaar, Burleson (none are starting consistently unless there is an injury).

Players in the minors Crooks, Walker, Saggese, Church and Scott

Players released Pages, Pozo, Gorman

Starting rotation Gray would slot in as a third starter. I am giving you Skubal so he in anchoring your staff. May would be a fifth starter. McGreevey would be the first call up to cover injuries and innings, but wouldn’t be on the post season roster (assuming he isn’t in the Skubal trade).

Dobbins, Fitts, Pallante are all in the minors and covering regular season innings when needed on a spot situation.

Leahy is not in the rotation. But in the minors called up to fill innings in the bullpen.

Of the relievers only Romero and Stanek have shots to see the post season. The rest are in the minors and only called up for regular season games to cover injuries. Svanson is closest to joining Romero and Stanek as impactful relievers, but has a hard time finding opportunities over more seasoned relievers.

Side note, to get impact players it would have to be through trade. No free agent who in the top of the market is signing here unless you drastically over pay when there are teams which are far deeper. The days of this being a prime destination for free agents died when they allowed the organization to fall apart.
Okay...At the top of the rotation you have two or three legitimate top tier pitchers. In any series you play you have a chance for a shut down starter in each game. You have a complement of capable relievers, if not special. Romero would be your closer. While being a little weak on offense, you could sign a bat to help with the offense. So you get to the playoffs. Your top pitching gets hot shutting down the opposing team, kind of like what Yamamoto did for the Dodgers last year. You move on to the next round and do the same thing. Pretty soon you''re in the World Series and your top two pitchers are vying for MVP. You bring home the trophy.
Or....
You gut the team. Trade away Gray, Contreras, Romero, Donovan etc. You don't contend and lose enough to finish last place while giving fans a reason to stay away in droves. You get good draft picks that take years to develop and when they do start making good money then you start talking about flipping them because you're too cheap to pay top talent and keep it.

Which scenario seems better to you?
I have watched them try your idea over and over again and be stuck in mediocrity. It’s time to try to build this correctly. There was no path for them to be a serious World Series contender that did not require something along the lines of signing Tucker, Diaz, Vades and Bregman and trading for Skubal.
CCard
Forum User
Posts: 2217
Joined: 21 Aug 2024 08:39 am

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by CCard »

Stlcardsblues wrote: 24 Jan 2026 11:25 am
CCard wrote: 24 Jan 2026 09:06 am
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:54 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:34 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:46 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:43 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:20 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 12:52 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 11:42 am
CCard wrote: 22 Jan 2026 20:41 pm
No way in hell I'm dropping that kind of money when ownership won't pony up. I can do other things with that money, like go fishing or take a trip to a shrine. They've lost me until they prove they want to compete. I've been a Card follower for 50 years and this is the first time I've felt that they aren't being honest with fans and trying to win. I can still talk about them but I won't spend any money on them.
Curious what part you feel they aren’t being honest about currently.

I fully agree that prior to this offseason they were not and were instead extremely cavalier and arrogant about providing the true goals.

I have found them extremely straight forward this offseason. While I don’t agree with everything being done this offseason, I wasn’t left feeling they were being dishonest.
They're being dishonest about their tanking. There's no reason a team can't field a decent roster and still do all the modifications they talked about. It's simply tanking. It's a terrible way to treat fans that support the team.
Define decent roster. My concern is what you are looking for leaves the team in a constant cycle of mediocrity.
Well, if you consider two world championships a cycle of mediocrity.
What would you have added to make the 2026 Cardinals a serious World Series contender that was realistic?
Pitching is king. Always has been always will be. They could have added top tier pitching. They should have jettisoned Pallante and Mikolas. That would have been a good start.
Adding a top tier pitcher wasn’t making this team a serious World Series contender. They would need to add three or four high end players to get there even if they kept Contreras and Gray. Even at adding three or four top tier players it would still be a long shot.

They eliminated Mikolas. If you think eliminating Pallante and adding a Skubal makes them a World Series contender, you really have been watching with blinders on.
We'll just disagree.
Here is how I view it, tell me where you disagree. I will for this exercise say Gray and Contreras are here still and Arenado was traded.

Here is what each players role would be on a serious World Series contender (I will eliminate the Dodgers as what they have no one is building). This will be compared to the other World Series contenders.

Players who would have a chance to be in the lineup of a serious World Series contender
Winn, Weatherholt, Contreras, Herrera.

Bench bats Donovan, Nootbaar, Burleson (none are starting consistently unless there is an injury).

Players in the minors Crooks, Walker, Saggese, Church and Scott

Players released Pages, Pozo, Gorman

Starting rotation Gray would slot in as a third starter. I am giving you Skubal so he in anchoring your staff. May would be a fifth starter. McGreevey would be the first call up to cover injuries and innings, but wouldn’t be on the post season roster (assuming he isn’t in the Skubal trade).

Dobbins, Fitts, Pallante are all in the minors and covering regular season innings when needed on a spot situation.

Leahy is not in the rotation. But in the minors called up to fill innings in the bullpen.

Of the relievers only Romero and Stanek have shots to see the post season. The rest are in the minors and only called up for regular season games to cover injuries. Svanson is closest to joining Romero and Stanek as impactful relievers, but has a hard time finding opportunities over more seasoned relievers.

Side note, to get impact players it would have to be through trade. No free agent who in the top of the market is signing here unless you drastically over pay when there are teams which are far deeper. The days of this being a prime destination for free agents died when they allowed the organization to fall apart.
Okay...At the top of the rotation you have two or three legitimate top tier pitchers. In any series you play you have a chance for a shut down starter in each game. You have a complement of capable relievers, if not special. Romero would be your closer. While being a little weak on offense, you could sign a bat to help with the offense. So you get to the playoffs. Your top pitching gets hot shutting down the opposing team, kind of like what Yamamoto did for the Dodgers last year. You move on to the next round and do the same thing. Pretty soon you''re in the World Series and your top two pitchers are vying for MVP. You bring home the trophy.
Or....
You gut the team. Trade away Gray, Contreras, Romero, Donovan etc. You don't contend and lose enough to finish last place while giving fans a reason to stay away in droves. You get good draft picks that take years to develop and when they do start making good money then you start talking about flipping them because you're too cheap to pay top talent and keep it.

Which scenario seems better to you?
I have watched them try your idea over and over again and be stuck in mediocrity. It’s time to try to build this correctly. There was no path for them to be a serious World Series contender that did not require something along the lines of signing Tucker, Diaz, Vades and Bregman and trading for Skubal.
You're just being silly. No team could sign all of those players. But the pattern is to have at least two top tier pitchers to anchor the rotation and be a real threat in a short series. More offensive help would be nice but if you have that and a decent bullpen you have a chance. All of your other blather is just obfuscation.
Stlcardsblues
Forum User
Posts: 1268
Joined: 23 May 2024 19:52 pm

Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by Stlcardsblues »

CCard wrote: 24 Jan 2026 13:29 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 24 Jan 2026 11:25 am
CCard wrote: 24 Jan 2026 09:06 am
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:54 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:34 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 20:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:46 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 17:43 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:20 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 13:13 pm
CCard wrote: 23 Jan 2026 12:52 pm
Stlcardsblues wrote: 23 Jan 2026 11:42 am

Curious what part you feel they aren’t being honest about currently.

I fully agree that prior to this offseason they were not and were instead extremely cavalier and arrogant about providing the true goals.

I have found them extremely straight forward this offseason. While I don’t agree with everything being done this offseason, I wasn’t left feeling they were being dishonest.
They're being dishonest about their tanking. There's no reason a team can't field a decent roster and still do all the modifications they talked about. It's simply tanking. It's a terrible way to treat fans that support the team.
Define decent roster. My concern is what you are looking for leaves the team in a constant cycle of mediocrity.
Well, if you consider two world championships a cycle of mediocrity.
What would you have added to make the 2026 Cardinals a serious World Series contender that was realistic?
Pitching is king. Always has been always will be. They could have added top tier pitching. They should have jettisoned Pallante and Mikolas. That would have been a good start.
Adding a top tier pitcher wasn’t making this team a serious World Series contender. They would need to add three or four high end players to get there even if they kept Contreras and Gray. Even at adding three or four top tier players it would still be a long shot.

They eliminated Mikolas. If you think eliminating Pallante and adding a Skubal makes them a World Series contender, you really have been watching with blinders on.
We'll just disagree.
Here is how I view it, tell me where you disagree. I will for this exercise say Gray and Contreras are here still and Arenado was traded.

Here is what each players role would be on a serious World Series contender (I will eliminate the Dodgers as what they have no one is building). This will be compared to the other World Series contenders.

Players who would have a chance to be in the lineup of a serious World Series contender
Winn, Weatherholt, Contreras, Herrera.

Bench bats Donovan, Nootbaar, Burleson (none are starting consistently unless there is an injury).

Players in the minors Crooks, Walker, Saggese, Church and Scott

Players released Pages, Pozo, Gorman

Starting rotation Gray would slot in as a third starter. I am giving you Skubal so he in anchoring your staff. May would be a fifth starter. McGreevey would be the first call up to cover injuries and innings, but wouldn’t be on the post season roster (assuming he isn’t in the Skubal trade).

Dobbins, Fitts, Pallante are all in the minors and covering regular season innings when needed on a spot situation.

Leahy is not in the rotation. But in the minors called up to fill innings in the bullpen.

Of the relievers only Romero and Stanek have shots to see the post season. The rest are in the minors and only called up for regular season games to cover injuries. Svanson is closest to joining Romero and Stanek as impactful relievers, but has a hard time finding opportunities over more seasoned relievers.

Side note, to get impact players it would have to be through trade. No free agent who in the top of the market is signing here unless you drastically over pay when there are teams which are far deeper. The days of this being a prime destination for free agents died when they allowed the organization to fall apart.
Okay...At the top of the rotation you have two or three legitimate top tier pitchers. In any series you play you have a chance for a shut down starter in each game. You have a complement of capable relievers, if not special. Romero would be your closer. While being a little weak on offense, you could sign a bat to help with the offense. So you get to the playoffs. Your top pitching gets hot shutting down the opposing team, kind of like what Yamamoto did for the Dodgers last year. You move on to the next round and do the same thing. Pretty soon you''re in the World Series and your top two pitchers are vying for MVP. You bring home the trophy.
Or....
You gut the team. Trade away Gray, Contreras, Romero, Donovan etc. You don't contend and lose enough to finish last place while giving fans a reason to stay away in droves. You get good draft picks that take years to develop and when they do start making good money then you start talking about flipping them because you're too cheap to pay top talent and keep it.

Which scenario seems better to you?
I have watched them try your idea over and over again and be stuck in mediocrity. It’s time to try to build this correctly. There was no path for them to be a serious World Series contender that did not require something along the lines of signing Tucker, Diaz, Vades and Bregman and trading for Skubal.
You're just being silly. No team could sign all of those players. But the pattern is to have at least two top tier pitchers to anchor the rotation and be a real threat in a short series. More offensive help would be nice but if you have that and a decent bullpen you have a chance. All of your other blather is just obfuscation.
As you said we will agree to disagree. Most disagreed with me back in 2014 to 2022 when I pointed out the red flags about how Mo was running the team. I am comfortable with my track record of seeing the full picture.
-ocaj
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Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by -ocaj »

I haven't even paid to watch them on TV in years, too expensive to watch chumps play bad ball.
DwaininAztec
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Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by DwaininAztec »

Bought a 5 game package. Looking forward to watching baseball, especially Cardinal baseball.
ramfandan
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Re: Who is buying tickets for 2026

Post by ramfandan »

BleedingBleu wrote: 23 Jan 2026 06:06 am I heard there’s been a lot of cars broken into at the Ballpark Heights Apartments. It’s been reported the owners found 2026 Cardinals tickets
My car has never had a break-in .. I just buy a pair of cheaper bleacher tix and put them under my driver's side windshield wiper . Then when I find another pair of tix added (Box seats etc. ), I take those two and keep the pair of bleacher seats under the wiper .
Been working well , I added 24 tix last year and not one time did they break into my vehicle. Well one time they did and found two hot dogs on my seat with note that read .. See you could only afford bleacher seats so here is some food to sneak into your next game. Enjoy !
Signed Modus Operandi ( MO )