How many losses are too much for Bloom?

[alw80]

To stick with Oli?

No one expects them to contend this year. They will be closer to 70 wins than 90. But, there does come a point at which even Bloom can't ignore a level of 'failure'.

I think triple digit losses could be too much, even on a rebuilding team.

Bloom was brought here to do a job. He was tasked with tanking the team and he has a long rope. His job is to fool the rubes into thinking that he's building a mythical beast to be unleashed after a few years of tanking. It's going according to the billionaires schedule. The fans be damned.

Cards fans are “rubes” now…?

Ok

Some definitely are. CCard for example.

[alw80]

To stick with Oli?

No one expects them to contend this year. They will be closer to 70 wins than 90. But, there does come a point at which even Bloom can't ignore a level of 'failure'.

I think triple digit losses could be too much, even on a rebuilding team.

Bloom was brought here to do a job. He was tasked with tanking the team and he has a long rope. His job is to fool the rubes into thinking that he's building a mythical beast to be unleashed after a few years of tanking. It's going according to the billionaires schedule. The fans be damned.

Cards fans are “rubes” now…?

Ok

Just the ones that believe in tanking.

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

They're not rebuilding so they can get a better draft pick.

[Cardinals1964]

To stick with Oli?

No one expects them to contend this year. They will be closer to 70 wins than 90. But, there does come a point at which even Bloom can't ignore a level of 'failure'.

I think triple digit losses could be too much, even on a rebuilding team.

Bloom was brought here to do a job. He was tasked with tanking the team and he has a long rope. His job is to fool the rubes into thinking that he's building a mythical beast to be unleashed after a few years of tanking. It's going according to the billionaires schedule. The fans be damned.

Cards fans are “rubes” now…?

Ok

Just the ones that believe in tanking.

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

They're not rebuilding so they can get a better draft pick.

Bingo.

[CCard]

To stick with Oli?

No one expects them to contend this year. They will be closer to 70 wins than 90. But, there does come a point at which even Bloom can't ignore a level of 'failure'.

I think triple digit losses could be too much, even on a rebuilding team.

Bloom was brought here to do a job. He was tasked with tanking the team and he has a long rope. His job is to fool the rubes into thinking that he's building a mythical beast to be unleashed after a few years of tanking. It's going according to the billionaires schedule. The fans be damned.

Cards fans are “rubes” now…?

Ok

Just the ones that believe in tanking.

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

They're not rebuilding so they can get a better draft pick.

They're not rebuilding, they're tanking.

[CCard]

To stick with Oli?

No one expects them to contend this year. They will be closer to 70 wins than 90. But, there does come a point at which even Bloom can't ignore a level of 'failure'.

I think triple digit losses could be too much, even on a rebuilding team.

Bloom was brought here to do a job. He was tasked with tanking the team and he has a long rope. His job is to fool the rubes into thinking that he's building a mythical beast to be unleashed after a few years of tanking. It's going according to the billionaires schedule. The fans be damned.

Cards fans are “rubes” now…?

Ok

Just the ones that believe in tanking.

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

No it does not.
MLB teams cannot move up in the draft lottery year after year; strict rules prevent consecutive high picks to stop tanking. Revenue-sharing payees (large market) cannot receive a lottery pick in back-to-back years, while recipients (small market) are barred from receiving one for more than two consecutive years.
Teams that are ineligible to receive a lottery selection are permitted to select no earlier than 10th overall in that draft.

I just posted the link that says it does. I think I'll take that over your opinion.

[alw80]

To stick with Oli?

No one expects them to contend this year. They will be closer to 70 wins than 90. But, there does come a point at which even Bloom can't ignore a level of 'failure'.

I think triple digit losses could be too much, even on a rebuilding team.

Bloom was brought here to do a job. He was tasked with tanking the team and he has a long rope. His job is to fool the rubes into thinking that he's building a mythical beast to be unleashed after a few years of tanking. It's going according to the billionaires schedule. The fans be damned.

Cards fans are “rubes” now…?

Ok

Just the ones that believe in tanking.

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

They're not rebuilding so they can get a better draft pick.

They're not rebuilding, they're tanking.

Incorrect.

[General]

I didn’t read thru all the pages but the simple and correct answer is 163.

[Cardinals1964]

To stick with Oli?

No one expects them to contend this year. They will be closer to 70 wins than 90. But, there does come a point at which even Bloom can't ignore a level of 'failure'.

I think triple digit losses could be too much, even on a rebuilding team.

Bloom was brought here to do a job. He was tasked with tanking the team and he has a long rope. His job is to fool the rubes into thinking that he's building a mythical beast to be unleashed after a few years of tanking. It's going according to the billionaires schedule. The fans be damned.

Cards fans are “rubes” now…?

Ok

Just the ones that believe in tanking.

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

No it does not.
MLB teams cannot move up in the draft lottery year after year; strict rules prevent consecutive high picks to stop tanking. Revenue-sharing payees (large market) cannot receive a lottery pick in back-to-back years, while recipients (small market) are barred from receiving one for more than two consecutive years.
Teams that are ineligible to receive a lottery selection are permitted to select no earlier than 10th overall in that draft.

I just posted the link that says it does. I think I'll take that over your opinion.

Where is the link? A connection to another one of your opinion’s?
I posted the draft lottery rules. You cannot keep losing and collecting number one picks. It’s impossible. You can’t do it. That’s not an opinion. You can have your own opinion, but don’t try to have your own facts.

[CCard]

Bloom was brought here to do a job. He was tasked with tanking the team and he has a long rope. His job is to fool the rubes into thinking that he's building a mythical beast to be unleashed after a few years of tanking. It's going according to the billionaires schedule. The fans be damned.

Cards fans are “rubes” now…?

Ok

Just the ones that believe in tanking.

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

No it does not.
MLB teams cannot move up in the draft lottery year after year; strict rules prevent consecutive high picks to stop tanking. Revenue-sharing payees (large market) cannot receive a lottery pick in back-to-back years, while recipients (small market) are barred from receiving one for more than two consecutive years.
Teams that are ineligible to receive a lottery selection are permitted to select no earlier than 10th overall in that draft.

I just posted the link that says it does. I think I'll take that over your opinion.

Where is the link? A connection to another one of your opinion’s?
I posted the draft lottery rules. You cannot keep losing and collecting number one picks. It’s impossible. You can’t do it. That’s not an opinion. You can have your own opinion, but don’t try to have your own facts.

Yes, losing can improve a team's chances of securing a higher draft pick in the MLB lottery, as the teams with the worst records have the strongest odds of winning one of the top picks. However, the lottery system is designed so that the worst team is not guaranteed the top pick, which adds an element of unpredictability.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... by-losing/

This is just one link that explains it.



Image credit: Jacob Wilson (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

A convincing argument can be made that the A’s, Pirates and Tigers could win in this year’s draft lottery by losing out.

After posting the worst record in the majors in 2023, the A’s are one of three teams with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick in this week’s draft lottery. The A’s have an 18.3% chance of getting the No. 1 pick, the same odds as the Royals and Rockies. The Pirates have a 3.0% chance of the first pick, while the Tigers have a tiny 1.6% chance of winning the No. 1 pick.

While admittedly much can change between now and draft day, the 2024 MLB draft is currently viewed as one of the thinnest at the top in years.

And that’s why losing could be winning, especially if a team like the A’s falls in the draft order like they did last year.
Updated 2024 MLB Draft Rankings

See the 100 best players in the 2024 draft class heading into the winter.
CLICK HERE

Under the collective bargaining agreement’s rules, no revenue sharing paying team can receive a lottery pick in back-to-back drafts.

Dec 9, 2025The Cardinals went into Tuesday with MLB's eighth-best odds for the No. 1 pick (2.35 percent), but they dropped below the Rockies and Nationals

Saddled with the 13th-best odds for the top spot in the Draft, the Cardinals surged to the No. 5 pick for the 2025 MLB Draft. Not only will it be the franchise’s highest selection since 1998, when they took J.D. Drew at No. 5, it will be the first time in franchise history that they have had consecutive top 10 selections. The Cardinals nabbed highly touted infielder J.J. Wetherholt with the No. 7 pick last July, and now they will likely have a shot at another transformational selection.

[Cardinals1964]

Cards fans are “rubes” now…?

Ok

Just the ones that believe in tanking.

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

No it does not.
MLB teams cannot move up in the draft lottery year after year; strict rules prevent consecutive high picks to stop tanking. Revenue-sharing payees (large market) cannot receive a lottery pick in back-to-back years, while recipients (small market) are barred from receiving one for more than two consecutive years.
Teams that are ineligible to receive a lottery selection are permitted to select no earlier than 10th overall in that draft.

I just posted the link that says it does. I think I'll take that over your opinion.

Where is the link? A connection to another one of your opinion’s?
I posted the draft lottery rules. You cannot keep losing and collecting number one picks. It’s impossible. You can’t do it. That’s not an opinion. You can have your own opinion, but don’t try to have your own facts.

Yes, losing can improve a team's chances of securing a higher draft pick in the MLB lottery, as the teams with the worst records have the strongest odds of winning one of the top picks. However, the lottery system is designed so that the worst team is not guaranteed the top pick, which adds an element of unpredictability.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... by-losing/

This is just one link that explains it.



Image credit: Jacob Wilson (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

A convincing argument can be made that the A’s, Pirates and Tigers could win in this year’s draft lottery by losing out.

After posting the worst record in the majors in 2023, the A’s are one of three teams with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick in this week’s draft lottery. The A’s have an 18.3% chance of getting the No. 1 pick, the same odds as the Royals and Rockies. The Pirates have a 3.0% chance of the first pick, while the Tigers have a tiny 1.6% chance of winning the No. 1 pick.

While admittedly much can change between now and draft day, the 2024 MLB draft is currently viewed as one of the thinnest at the top in years.

And that’s why losing could be winning, especially if a team like the A’s falls in the draft order like they did last year.
Updated 2024 MLB Draft Rankings

See the 100 best players in the 2024 draft class heading into the winter.
CLICK HERE

Under the collective bargaining agreement’s rules, no revenue sharing paying team can receive a lottery pick in back-to-back drafts.

Dec 9, 2025The Cardinals went into Tuesday with MLB's eighth-best odds for the No. 1 pick (2.35 percent), but they dropped below the Rockies and Nationals

Saddled with the 13th-best odds for the top spot in the Draft, the Cardinals surged to the No. 5 pick for the 2025 MLB Draft. Not only will it be the franchise’s highest selection since 1998, when they took J.D. Drew at No. 5, it will be the first time in franchise history that they have had consecutive top 10 selections. The Cardinals nabbed highly touted infielder J.J. Wetherholt with the No. 7 pick last July, and now they will likely have a shot at another transformational selection.

OMG. Do you understand your own article? They are talking about if they lost out in the lottery so they could have another chance the next year. Not losing games. In your own article it will tell you that you can’t be in the lottery year after year.
That’s what that article is talking about.
You would be better off not getting a top six pick so you can return to the lottery the next year.
The Cardinals were fifth pick two years ago and they will be 13th pick this year. If the Cardinals would’ve been a top six pick this year, they would not be eligible for the lottery next year.

[cardstatman]

Results to date of rebuilding by trading veterans.

1 JJ Wetherholt
2 Liam Doyle
3 Rainiel Rodriguez
4 Leonardo Bernal
5 Quinn Mathews
6 Jimmy Crooks
7 Brandon Clarke (Gray trade)
8 Tekoah Roby (Montgomery trade)
9 Yhoiker Fajardo (Contreras trade)
10 Jesus Baez (Helsley trade)
11 Yairo Padilla
12 Ryan Mitchell
13 Joshua Baez
14 Tink Hence
15 Cooper Hjerpe
16 Nathan Church
17 Ixan Henderson
18 Chen-Wei Lin
19 Nate Dohm (Helsley trade)
20 Blaze Jordan (Matz trade)
21 Tanner Franklin
22 Jack Gurevitch
23 Brycen Mautz
24 Braden Davis
25 Deniel Ortiz
26 Chase Davis
27 Luis Gastelum
28 Mason Molina (Maton trade)
29 Cade Crossland
30 Kenly Hunter

These 7 prospects will soon turn the Cardinals from mere wild card pretenders into a true championship team.

[CCard]

Just the ones that believe in tanking.

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

No it does not.
MLB teams cannot move up in the draft lottery year after year; strict rules prevent consecutive high picks to stop tanking. Revenue-sharing payees (large market) cannot receive a lottery pick in back-to-back years, while recipients (small market) are barred from receiving one for more than two consecutive years.
Teams that are ineligible to receive a lottery selection are permitted to select no earlier than 10th overall in that draft.

I just posted the link that says it does. I think I'll take that over your opinion.

Where is the link? A connection to another one of your opinion’s?
I posted the draft lottery rules. You cannot keep losing and collecting number one picks. It’s impossible. You can’t do it. That’s not an opinion. You can have your own opinion, but don’t try to have your own facts.

Yes, losing can improve a team's chances of securing a higher draft pick in the MLB lottery, as the teams with the worst records have the strongest odds of winning one of the top picks. However, the lottery system is designed so that the worst team is not guaranteed the top pick, which adds an element of unpredictability.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... by-losing/

This is just one link that explains it.



Image credit: Jacob Wilson (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

A convincing argument can be made that the A’s, Pirates and Tigers could win in this year’s draft lottery by losing out.

After posting the worst record in the majors in 2023, the A’s are one of three teams with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick in this week’s draft lottery. The A’s have an 18.3% chance of getting the No. 1 pick, the same odds as the Royals and Rockies. The Pirates have a 3.0% chance of the first pick, while the Tigers have a tiny 1.6% chance of winning the No. 1 pick.

While admittedly much can change between now and draft day, the 2024 MLB draft is currently viewed as one of the thinnest at the top in years.

And that’s why losing could be winning, especially if a team like the A’s falls in the draft order like they did last year.
Updated 2024 MLB Draft Rankings

See the 100 best players in the 2024 draft class heading into the winter.
CLICK HERE

Under the collective bargaining agreement’s rules, no revenue sharing paying team can receive a lottery pick in back-to-back drafts.

Dec 9, 2025The Cardinals went into Tuesday with MLB's eighth-best odds for the No. 1 pick (2.35 percent), but they dropped below the Rockies and Nationals

Saddled with the 13th-best odds for the top spot in the Draft, the Cardinals surged to the No. 5 pick for the 2025 MLB Draft. Not only will it be the franchise’s highest selection since 1998, when they took J.D. Drew at No. 5, it will be the first time in franchise history that they have had consecutive top 10 selections. The Cardinals nabbed highly touted infielder J.J. Wetherholt with the No. 7 pick last July, and now they will likely have a shot at another transformational selection.

OMG. Do you understand your own article? They are talking about if they lost out in the lottery so they could have another chance the next year. Not losing games. In your own article it will tell you that you can’t be in the lottery year after year.
That’s what that article is talking about.
You would be better off not getting a top six pick so you can return to the lottery the next year.
The Cardinals were fifth pick two years ago and they will be 13th pick this year. If the Cardinals would’ve been a top six pick this year, they would not be eligible for the lottery next year.

The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2025 was left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle, selected as the No. 5 overall pick.
The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2024 was shortstop JJ Wetherholt, selected 7th overall.

[Cardinals1964]

It's not tanking. They aren't losing on purpose to get a high draft pick. They are forced to tear down the smoldering remains left over from Mo to create a new foundation.

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

No it does not.
MLB teams cannot move up in the draft lottery year after year; strict rules prevent consecutive high picks to stop tanking. Revenue-sharing payees (large market) cannot receive a lottery pick in back-to-back years, while recipients (small market) are barred from receiving one for more than two consecutive years.
Teams that are ineligible to receive a lottery selection are permitted to select no earlier than 10th overall in that draft.

I just posted the link that says it does. I think I'll take that over your opinion.

Where is the link? A connection to another one of your opinion’s?
I posted the draft lottery rules. You cannot keep losing and collecting number one picks. It’s impossible. You can’t do it. That’s not an opinion. You can have your own opinion, but don’t try to have your own facts.

Yes, losing can improve a team's chances of securing a higher draft pick in the MLB lottery, as the teams with the worst records have the strongest odds of winning one of the top picks. However, the lottery system is designed so that the worst team is not guaranteed the top pick, which adds an element of unpredictability.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... by-losing/

This is just one link that explains it.



Image credit: Jacob Wilson (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

A convincing argument can be made that the A’s, Pirates and Tigers could win in this year’s draft lottery by losing out.

After posting the worst record in the majors in 2023, the A’s are one of three teams with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick in this week’s draft lottery. The A’s have an 18.3% chance of getting the No. 1 pick, the same odds as the Royals and Rockies. The Pirates have a 3.0% chance of the first pick, while the Tigers have a tiny 1.6% chance of winning the No. 1 pick.

While admittedly much can change between now and draft day, the 2024 MLB draft is currently viewed as one of the thinnest at the top in years.

And that’s why losing could be winning, especially if a team like the A’s falls in the draft order like they did last year.
Updated 2024 MLB Draft Rankings

See the 100 best players in the 2024 draft class heading into the winter.
CLICK HERE

Under the collective bargaining agreement’s rules, no revenue sharing paying team can receive a lottery pick in back-to-back drafts.

Dec 9, 2025The Cardinals went into Tuesday with MLB's eighth-best odds for the No. 1 pick (2.35 percent), but they dropped below the Rockies and Nationals

Saddled with the 13th-best odds for the top spot in the Draft, the Cardinals surged to the No. 5 pick for the 2025 MLB Draft. Not only will it be the franchise’s highest selection since 1998, when they took J.D. Drew at No. 5, it will be the first time in franchise history that they have had consecutive top 10 selections. The Cardinals nabbed highly touted infielder J.J. Wetherholt with the No. 7 pick last July, and now they will likely have a shot at another transformational selection.

OMG. Do you understand your own article? They are talking about if they lost out in the lottery so they could have another chance the next year. Not losing games. In your own article it will tell you that you can’t be in the lottery year after year.
That’s what that article is talking about.
You would be better off not getting a top six pick so you can return to the lottery the next year.
The Cardinals were fifth pick two years ago and they will be 13th pick this year. If the Cardinals would’ve been a top six pick this year, they would not be eligible for the lottery next year.

The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2025 was left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle, selected as the No. 5 overall pick.
The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2024 was shortstop JJ Wetherholt, selected 7th overall.

And they will be 13th in 2026 draft after losing out in the lottery dropping from 8th to 13th.

[CCard]

Are they not deliberately gutting the team? Is that not going to cause the team to lose? You can deny it but it is tanking. Did Chicago tank before they won their World Series? Did Houston? Yes, it is tanking.

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

No it does not.
MLB teams cannot move up in the draft lottery year after year; strict rules prevent consecutive high picks to stop tanking. Revenue-sharing payees (large market) cannot receive a lottery pick in back-to-back years, while recipients (small market) are barred from receiving one for more than two consecutive years.
Teams that are ineligible to receive a lottery selection are permitted to select no earlier than 10th overall in that draft.

I just posted the link that says it does. I think I'll take that over your opinion.

Where is the link? A connection to another one of your opinion’s?
I posted the draft lottery rules. You cannot keep losing and collecting number one picks. It’s impossible. You can’t do it. That’s not an opinion. You can have your own opinion, but don’t try to have your own facts.

Yes, losing can improve a team's chances of securing a higher draft pick in the MLB lottery, as the teams with the worst records have the strongest odds of winning one of the top picks. However, the lottery system is designed so that the worst team is not guaranteed the top pick, which adds an element of unpredictability.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... by-losing/

This is just one link that explains it.



Image credit: Jacob Wilson (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

A convincing argument can be made that the A’s, Pirates and Tigers could win in this year’s draft lottery by losing out.

After posting the worst record in the majors in 2023, the A’s are one of three teams with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick in this week’s draft lottery. The A’s have an 18.3% chance of getting the No. 1 pick, the same odds as the Royals and Rockies. The Pirates have a 3.0% chance of the first pick, while the Tigers have a tiny 1.6% chance of winning the No. 1 pick.

While admittedly much can change between now and draft day, the 2024 MLB draft is currently viewed as one of the thinnest at the top in years.

And that’s why losing could be winning, especially if a team like the A’s falls in the draft order like they did last year.
Updated 2024 MLB Draft Rankings

See the 100 best players in the 2024 draft class heading into the winter.
CLICK HERE

Under the collective bargaining agreement’s rules, no revenue sharing paying team can receive a lottery pick in back-to-back drafts.

Dec 9, 2025The Cardinals went into Tuesday with MLB's eighth-best odds for the No. 1 pick (2.35 percent), but they dropped below the Rockies and Nationals

Saddled with the 13th-best odds for the top spot in the Draft, the Cardinals surged to the No. 5 pick for the 2025 MLB Draft. Not only will it be the franchise’s highest selection since 1998, when they took J.D. Drew at No. 5, it will be the first time in franchise history that they have had consecutive top 10 selections. The Cardinals nabbed highly touted infielder J.J. Wetherholt with the No. 7 pick last July, and now they will likely have a shot at another transformational selection.

OMG. Do you understand your own article? They are talking about if they lost out in the lottery so they could have another chance the next year. Not losing games. In your own article it will tell you that you can’t be in the lottery year after year.
That’s what that article is talking about.
You would be better off not getting a top six pick so you can return to the lottery the next year.
The Cardinals were fifth pick two years ago and they will be 13th pick this year. If the Cardinals would’ve been a top six pick this year, they would not be eligible for the lottery next year.

The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2025 was left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle, selected as the No. 5 overall pick.
The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2024 was shortstop JJ Wetherholt, selected 7th overall.

And they will be 13th in 2026 draft after losing out in the lottery dropping from 8th to 13th.

But you saw the two drafts right? So they drop down a bit in the next draft and lose terribly, then the next draft they're right back in the thick of it.

[Cardinals1964]

Didn’t the Cardinals move down in the draft after tanking in 2025? Not a great strategy.

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

No it does not.
MLB teams cannot move up in the draft lottery year after year; strict rules prevent consecutive high picks to stop tanking. Revenue-sharing payees (large market) cannot receive a lottery pick in back-to-back years, while recipients (small market) are barred from receiving one for more than two consecutive years.
Teams that are ineligible to receive a lottery selection are permitted to select no earlier than 10th overall in that draft.

I just posted the link that says it does. I think I'll take that over your opinion.

Where is the link? A connection to another one of your opinion’s?
I posted the draft lottery rules. You cannot keep losing and collecting number one picks. It’s impossible. You can’t do it. That’s not an opinion. You can have your own opinion, but don’t try to have your own facts.

Yes, losing can improve a team's chances of securing a higher draft pick in the MLB lottery, as the teams with the worst records have the strongest odds of winning one of the top picks. However, the lottery system is designed so that the worst team is not guaranteed the top pick, which adds an element of unpredictability.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... by-losing/

This is just one link that explains it.



Image credit: Jacob Wilson (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

A convincing argument can be made that the A’s, Pirates and Tigers could win in this year’s draft lottery by losing out.

After posting the worst record in the majors in 2023, the A’s are one of three teams with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick in this week’s draft lottery. The A’s have an 18.3% chance of getting the No. 1 pick, the same odds as the Royals and Rockies. The Pirates have a 3.0% chance of the first pick, while the Tigers have a tiny 1.6% chance of winning the No. 1 pick.

While admittedly much can change between now and draft day, the 2024 MLB draft is currently viewed as one of the thinnest at the top in years.

And that’s why losing could be winning, especially if a team like the A’s falls in the draft order like they did last year.
Updated 2024 MLB Draft Rankings

See the 100 best players in the 2024 draft class heading into the winter.
CLICK HERE

Under the collective bargaining agreement’s rules, no revenue sharing paying team can receive a lottery pick in back-to-back drafts.

Dec 9, 2025The Cardinals went into Tuesday with MLB's eighth-best odds for the No. 1 pick (2.35 percent), but they dropped below the Rockies and Nationals

Saddled with the 13th-best odds for the top spot in the Draft, the Cardinals surged to the No. 5 pick for the 2025 MLB Draft. Not only will it be the franchise’s highest selection since 1998, when they took J.D. Drew at No. 5, it will be the first time in franchise history that they have had consecutive top 10 selections. The Cardinals nabbed highly touted infielder J.J. Wetherholt with the No. 7 pick last July, and now they will likely have a shot at another transformational selection.

OMG. Do you understand your own article? They are talking about if they lost out in the lottery so they could have another chance the next year. Not losing games. In your own article it will tell you that you can’t be in the lottery year after year.
That’s what that article is talking about.
You would be better off not getting a top six pick so you can return to the lottery the next year.
The Cardinals were fifth pick two years ago and they will be 13th pick this year. If the Cardinals would’ve been a top six pick this year, they would not be eligible for the lottery next year.

The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2025 was left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle, selected as the No. 5 overall pick.
The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2024 was shortstop JJ Wetherholt, selected 7th overall.

And they will be 13th in 2026 draft after losing out in the lottery dropping from 8th to 13th.

But you saw the two drafts right? So they drop down a bit in the next draft and lose terribly, then the next draft they're right back in the thick of it.

Nope. No guarantee. They could drop again. Before the lottery, you could finish last five years in a row and keep getting the number one pick. But that’s over now. I know it interferes with your tanking narrative, but that’s the way it is.
Even if they were tanking, why do you say that as if people would be bothered by it? The only reason people are bothered by it is because you cannot take in a lottery.
In the next draft, the Cardinals were slotted with the number eight pick. They got the number 13 pick.

[CCard]

Did they? I don't remember that. Maybe they could move down a few spots and still get a player they could comfortably sign. They signed Liam didn't they?

In the 2025 draft the Cardinals moved up from 13th to 5th and took Doyle.
2026 they dropped from 8th to 13th.
Tanking and the lottery doesn’t guarantee the best draft position any longer. Nor can you move up in the draft year after year.

But losing does give you a better percentage chance, right?

No it does not.
MLB teams cannot move up in the draft lottery year after year; strict rules prevent consecutive high picks to stop tanking. Revenue-sharing payees (large market) cannot receive a lottery pick in back-to-back years, while recipients (small market) are barred from receiving one for more than two consecutive years.
Teams that are ineligible to receive a lottery selection are permitted to select no earlier than 10th overall in that draft.

I just posted the link that says it does. I think I'll take that over your opinion.

Where is the link? A connection to another one of your opinion’s?
I posted the draft lottery rules. You cannot keep losing and collecting number one picks. It’s impossible. You can’t do it. That’s not an opinion. You can have your own opinion, but don’t try to have your own facts.

Yes, losing can improve a team's chances of securing a higher draft pick in the MLB lottery, as the teams with the worst records have the strongest odds of winning one of the top picks. However, the lottery system is designed so that the worst team is not guaranteed the top pick, which adds an element of unpredictability.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... by-losing/

This is just one link that explains it.



Image credit: Jacob Wilson (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

A convincing argument can be made that the A’s, Pirates and Tigers could win in this year’s draft lottery by losing out.

After posting the worst record in the majors in 2023, the A’s are one of three teams with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick in this week’s draft lottery. The A’s have an 18.3% chance of getting the No. 1 pick, the same odds as the Royals and Rockies. The Pirates have a 3.0% chance of the first pick, while the Tigers have a tiny 1.6% chance of winning the No. 1 pick.

While admittedly much can change between now and draft day, the 2024 MLB draft is currently viewed as one of the thinnest at the top in years.

And that’s why losing could be winning, especially if a team like the A’s falls in the draft order like they did last year.
Updated 2024 MLB Draft Rankings

See the 100 best players in the 2024 draft class heading into the winter.
CLICK HERE

Under the collective bargaining agreement’s rules, no revenue sharing paying team can receive a lottery pick in back-to-back drafts.

Dec 9, 2025The Cardinals went into Tuesday with MLB's eighth-best odds for the No. 1 pick (2.35 percent), but they dropped below the Rockies and Nationals

Saddled with the 13th-best odds for the top spot in the Draft, the Cardinals surged to the No. 5 pick for the 2025 MLB Draft. Not only will it be the franchise’s highest selection since 1998, when they took J.D. Drew at No. 5, it will be the first time in franchise history that they have had consecutive top 10 selections. The Cardinals nabbed highly touted infielder J.J. Wetherholt with the No. 7 pick last July, and now they will likely have a shot at another transformational selection.

OMG. Do you understand your own article? They are talking about if they lost out in the lottery so they could have another chance the next year. Not losing games. In your own article it will tell you that you can’t be in the lottery year after year.
That’s what that article is talking about.
You would be better off not getting a top six pick so you can return to the lottery the next year.
The Cardinals were fifth pick two years ago and they will be 13th pick this year. If the Cardinals would’ve been a top six pick this year, they would not be eligible for the lottery next year.

The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2025 was left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle, selected as the No. 5 overall pick.
The St. Louis Cardinals' top draft pick in 2024 was shortstop JJ Wetherholt, selected 7th overall.

And they will be 13th in 2026 draft after losing out in the lottery dropping from 8th to 13th.

But you saw the two drafts right? So they drop down a bit in the next draft and lose terribly, then the next draft they're right back in the thick of it.

Nope. No guarantee. They could drop again. Before the lottery, you could finish last five years in a row and keep getting the number one pick. But that’s over now. I know it interferes with your tanking narrative, but that’s the way it is.
Even if they were tanking, why do you say that as if people would be bothered by it? The only reason people are bothered by it is because you cannot take in a lottery.
In the next draft, the Cardinals were slotted with the number eight pick. They got the number 13 pick.

For one, I just showed you back to back drafts for the Cardinals, so, there goes your argument. Secondly, many teams would just as soon pick in the low teens as the high single digits because the players are more easy to sign and for cheaper. So there's that. But most of all, tanking is just wrong. If the Cards were favored to win the division I doubt you'd be all in for trading Gray or Contreras. Because they aren't favored is no excuse not to try. They can easily sign some mid to high level talent and still work on the terrible farm system that produced the Champion Springfield Cardinals.