So is this the team we're running with in 2026

[StlMike1969]

To break it down for 2026. I think we will see solid offensive seasons from,
Burleson
Herrera
Donovan
Wetherholt (He makes the team out of ST)
Saggese

Guys that will improve over 2025
Winn

Guys that HAVE to show improvement to get or keep a job
Walker
Nootbar
Gorman
Victor Scott
Pages

Guys waiting in the wings
Koperniak
Church
Torres
Prieto
Crooks
Fermin

There is not a lot of power in that lineup but there certainly is speed, defense and guys capable of hitting close to .300 and 20-25 HR's. Get 4 to 5 hitting .280+-20 HR's-40+ doubles and you could have a 90 win team. We are getting ready to witness a true competition of youth. I am excited that it will bring many surprises. Tired of watching over paid millionaires suck at their job and get start after start because the team is knee deep in debt to them. Glad to see some enthusiasm and competition. Make no mistake these guys know there are jobs to be had which means multi million dollar contracts. They will be playing to perform.

[Carp4Cy]

January has pretty much come to a close. Looks to me like they ultimately keep Donovan. The team added Stanek and May and they are minus Contreras, Gray and Arenado? I guess some of the pitching acquired in the trades will partake in the rotation.

Okay, so with the team as it currently stands, where is the offense going to come from? We have to hope Walker, Gorman and JJ produce and that Burleson can maintain. I am trying to be optimistic, but it seems like a tall lift to win more than 70-75 games? That will put them in contention for the top draft pick next year. If they get a couple of years drafting at the top and some of these prospects hit, then we are looking at a 2028-2029 revival?

New guys include: May, Fitts, Dobbins, Pushard, Stanek, Bruihl, Wetherholt, and possibly Torres.

There could still be more.

Yes, I know them all except Torres. Who is that?

Bryan Torres. Played last year in Memphis. Won the batting title year before in Springfield. Late bloomer/not a prized draft picks, so it os a question ad to if he gets a shot or not. Definitely deserves one. Can play OF and 2B. Prototypical leadoff man.

He's the same age as Donovan. If we are ok building around guys born before 1997, why not just keep Donny as he's proven?

[Cardinals4Life]

January has pretty much come to a close. Looks to me like they ultimately keep Donovan. The team added Stanek and May and they are minus Contreras, Gray and Arenado? I guess some of the pitching acquired in the trades will partake in the rotation.

Okay, so with the team as it currently stands, where is the offense going to come from? We have to hope Walker, Gorman and JJ produce and that Burleson can maintain. I am trying to be optimistic, but it seems like a tall lift to win more than 70-75 games? That will put them in contention for the top draft pick next year. If they get a couple of years drafting at the top and some of these prospects hit, then we are looking at a 2028-2029 revival?

New guys include: May, Fitts, Dobbins, Pushard, Stanek, Bruihl, Wetherholt, and possibly Torres.

There could still be more.

Yes, I know them all except Torres. Who is that?

Bryan Torres. Played last year in Memphis. Won the batting title year before in Springfield. Late bloomer/not a prized draft picks, so it os a question ad to if he gets a shot or not. Definitely deserves one. Can play OF and 2B. Prototypical leadoff man.

He's the same age as Donovan. If we are ok building around guys born before 1997, why not just keep Donny as he's proven?

I don't disagree with that. Torres, however, has 6 years of team control to Donovan's 2. Personally, I am fine keeping Donovan. Guys can still play ball at age 30!!!

[RichieRichSTL]

January has pretty much come to a close. Looks to me like they ultimately keep Donovan. The team added Stanek and May and they are minus Contreras, Gray and Arenado? I guess some of the pitching acquired in the trades will partake in the rotation.

Okay, so with the team as it currently stands, where is the offense going to come from? We have to hope Walker, Gorman and JJ produce and that Burleson can maintain. I am trying to be optimistic, but it seems like a tall lift to win more than 70-75 games? That will put them in contention for the top draft pick next year. If they get a couple of years drafting at the top and some of these prospects hit, then we are looking at a 2028-2029 revival?

We were one of the worst teams in 2023 and drafted accordingly. A double dip to the botton is the absolute worst way to run a rebuild. The revenue loss may never support what's needed to get back. Its a lost opportunity of a generation.

How much revenue do you believe they lose? I guess they lost big on the TV deal, nothing that can be done about that. Fan support comes and goes, but they should get people in the stands when the team begins to perform again. I just wonder how quickly they can recover that tv money.

Their viewership is down too. That hurts their TV ask too.

[RamFan08NY]

January has pretty much come to a close. Looks to me like they ultimately keep Donovan. The team added Stanek and May and they are minus Contreras, Gray and Arenado? I guess some of the pitching acquired in the trades will partake in the rotation.

Okay, so with the team as it currently stands, where is the offense going to come from? We have to hope Walker, Gorman and JJ produce and that Burleson can maintain. I am trying to be optimistic, but it seems like a tall lift to win more than 70-75 games? That will put them in contention for the top draft pick next year. If they get a couple of years drafting at the top and some of these prospects hit, then we are looking at a 2028-2029 revival?

Missed Herrera ... Don't get too concerned about 2026 . This is first year into the rebuild. Bloom said he is not making moves for the short term but for the long term benefit of the team. Enjoy the young guys .. JJ has a bright future .. think Doyle may be up after the trade deadline ..
See what improvement VS II makes this year. The team should look faster than the slow motion 2025 team. Not putting any number on the wins.
Nobody knows .

Thats the best way to look towards this season. No expectation on # of wins, plenty of opportunity to see of the young guys can just play, have fun, and create some excitement. This team showed very little in the terms of fun and excitement over the past few years. Maybe steal a few pages from what the no-name TB Rays have shown over the past several years .

I know its going to be more exciting than seeing the likes of the aging Goldy, Nado, Crawford, carpenter, and Mikolas
Taking the field.