It's kind of good that DeWitt doesn't seem to want to waste money

[Clubmaker2]

When have they spent the dry powder or money they saved? Like never. So why does it matter if they saved money on salaries this year, they wont add it to future salary spending.

[mattmitchl44]

When have they spent the dry powder or money they saved? Like never. So why does it matter if they saved money on salaries this year, they wont add it to future salary spending.

I get that fans want to look at history and be skeptical.

However, I would point out that the path the organization appears to be on is unprecedented over the last 25-30 years. So it is possible that the future path of the team - conserving resources now with an intention of spending them later - may also be unprecedented.

[3dender]

When have they spent the dry powder or money they saved? Like never. So why does it matter if they saved money on salaries this year, they wont add it to future salary spending.

I get that fans want to look at history and be skeptical.

However, I would point out that the path the organization appears to be on is unprecedented over the last 25-30 years. So it is possible that the future path of the team - conserving resources now with an intention of spending them later - may also be unprecedented.

I've never been under the impression that their "dry powder" carries over from one year to the next. They have always appeared to operate with each year as a discrete budgeting event.

I don't think that necessarily suggests you're right or wrong, I just think it comes down to what BDW feels is an acceptable payroll amount to carry with a team competing in earnest. Sure seems over the last few years that he hasn't been comfortable breaking the $170M barrier.

[rockondlouie]

It seems to me there is a transition occurring. The way Junior built the team will look significantly different than the 3s model.

I personally think the III is behind a lot of this new direction.

No Alex this is all BDWJr's plan.

He's the baseball man having grown up in the game under the guidance of his father (former GM/even a part owner).

He went on scouting trips w/his Father and knows the game.

He's the one who decide it was time to get back to the Cardinals roots which is drafting & player development, something he instituted once before when he hired J. Luhnow. Got away from under Mo.

BDWIII (aka Fredo) runs the business side. He has zero to very little to do w/the baseball side nor does he show much interest in it.

This re-shuffle, new direction back to the old direction is 100% BDWJr.

Rock, with Jr. being 84, my fear is "Fredo" could take over at any time! That is a scary thought as I just don't see the love for baseball, when he speaks, like his old man has. Selling the team, would be my hope, before number 3 is calling the shots. The team could go 40-122, but hey, "how about those Mo and Girsch Bobblehead nights"! My fear is we do all this rebuilding, and right before takeoff, Fredo takes the reigns. No one here knows exactly what type of owner he will be, but his past comments certainly don't leave me feeling all rosy about the future of our Birds.

Same here zuck.

Big Bill loves the game, Fredo reminds me too much of ABIII who hated baseball.

If something happens to Jr, then lets hope Fredo just sells the team!

[VegasVinny]

When have they spent the dry powder or money they saved? Like never. So why does it matter if they saved money on salaries this year, they wont add it to future salary spending.

I get that fans want to look at history and be skeptical.

However, I would point out that the path the organization appears to be on is unprecedented over the last 25-30 years. So it is possible that the future path of the team - conserving resources now with an intention of spending them later - may also be unprecedented.

I've never been under the impression that their "dry powder" carries over from one year to the next. They have always appeared to operate with each year as a discrete budgeting event.

I don't think that necessarily suggests you're right or wrong, I just think it comes down to what BDW feels is an acceptable payroll amount to carry with a team competing in earnest. Sure seems over the last few years that he hasn't been comfortable breaking the $170M barrier.

Agreed - and I don't necessarily think Matt is alluding to the fact they do.

As fans, we'd love the org to say "welp, we would've allocated $180 MM to the 40-man payroll in 2026, but since we're spending only $60 MM (?), we'll move that excess $120 MM toward future payrolls." I'm not getting into the weeds of the finance because that's not my wheelhouse, but they still have to shell out $$ to its ownership stake and we all know they're (rightfully) forecasting major erosion in revenue this year.

[TheFantasyStud]

IMHO the $ should be spent on extensions
If any of the following players show long term potential of being 3 WAR plus players consistently throw the money at them and make as many home grown studs lifetime cardinals.

JJ Wetherholt
Mason Winn
Ivan Herrera
Jordan Walker
Rainel Rodriquez

Fridge considerations
Alex Burleson
Victory Scott

Pitchers are tougher to want to extend do to injury risk but maybe
McGreevy, Doyle, Matthews, Clarke, Franklin, Liberatore emerge as considerations