Woo-Bin Cho

[Talkin' Baseball]

The Milwaukee Brewers' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with the highest being $162.8 million in 2024 and the lowest around $131.99 million in 2021. In 2026, their total tax payroll is approximately $144.8 million.

The St. Louis Cardinals' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with a notable decrease to approximately $99 million in 2026. Another reason why the Brewers are so far ahead of the Cards in the standings. Another 50 million would have filled a lot of holes for the Cards. Just stop with the boot licking. It really gets old.

Now why would you compare the two payrolls this year? The Cardinals are in the first year of a rebuild. They have traditionally maintained a payroll in the top 12 or so of MLB in the last 20 years. The Brewers are not rebuilding, but they did shed a ton of payroll when they did recently rebuild.

If you'd like to have an honest argument, go look at the Brewers payroll when they started their rebuild. $93 million in 2015 when they started selling. $63 million in 2016 in the first real year of the rebuild, $69 million in 2017. $109 in 2018. Finally, they got back to around their normal payroll level of $136 million in 2019.

I don't know if you're playing dumb about not understanding the rebuild and just trolling or if you're actually just not a bright person, but that's the point of a rebuild. You get rid of a bunch of players who aren't getting any better and who are expensive, rebuild and restock your farm system by trading them off for prospects, in the Cardinals case, get back to drafting and developing, then start adding payroll with guys who you'd like to extend, or from guys that you bring in from the outside. There's every reason to expect that the Cardinals are going to get back to the payroll levels that they were at for the last 25 years after they've had a few years to rebuild.

That's the point. You want to get the team to a level where they are drafting and developing players like the Brewers, but actually having about $50 million or so extra in payroll so you can get to that next level, unlike the Brewers.

Rebuild ...blah....blah....blah. Bull$hit. You either play to win or you plan to fail. They planned to fail and it's come to fruition. They cut payroll in half for no good reason except to keep the money in ownership's pockets. They could have spent the money and this team would have had a chance at a playoff run. There was no reason except they didn't want to spend the money. It's obscene and to be honest I'm shocked that so many are okay with it.

...but isn't that Won Bin Cho dude doing great?

[TimTheTechies]

The Milwaukee Brewers' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with the highest being $162.8 million in 2024 and the lowest around $131.99 million in 2021. In 2026, their total tax payroll is approximately $144.8 million.

The St. Louis Cardinals' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with a notable decrease to approximately $99 million in 2026. Another reason why the Brewers are so far ahead of the Cards in the standings. Another 50 million would have filled a lot of holes for the Cards. Just stop with the boot licking. It really gets old.

Now why would you compare the two payrolls this year? The Cardinals are in the first year of a rebuild. They have traditionally maintained a payroll in the top 12 or so of MLB in the last 20 years. The Brewers are not rebuilding, but they did shed a ton of payroll when they did recently rebuild.

If you'd like to have an honest argument, go look at the Brewers payroll when they started their rebuild. $93 million in 2015 when they started selling. $63 million in 2016 in the first real year of the rebuild, $69 million in 2017. $109 in 2018. Finally, they got back to around their normal payroll level of $136 million in 2019.

I don't know if you're playing dumb about not understanding the rebuild and just trolling or if you're actually just not a bright person, but that's the point of a rebuild. You get rid of a bunch of players who aren't getting any better and who are expensive, rebuild and restock your farm system by trading them off for prospects, in the Cardinals case, get back to drafting and developing, then start adding payroll with guys who you'd like to extend, or from guys that you bring in from the outside. There's every reason to expect that the Cardinals are going to get back to the payroll levels that they were at for the last 25 years after they've had a few years to rebuild.

That's the point. You want to get the team to a level where they are drafting and developing players like the Brewers, but actually having about $50 million or so extra in payroll so you can get to that next level, unlike the Brewers.

Rebuild ...blah....blah....blah. Bull$hit. You either play to win or you plan to fail. They planned to fail and it's come to fruition. They cut payroll in half for no good reason except to keep the money in ownership's pockets. They could have spent the money and this team would have had a chance at a playoff run. There was no reason except they didn't want to spend the money. It's obscene and to be honest I'm shocked that so many are okay with it.

Their goal is to build a team capable of making a deeper playoff run, and for a mid-market franchise, that usually means accepting an occasional rebuilding year. Just look at Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, or even Washington. The Cardinals do not have the massive TV market and financial resources of the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, or Padres, so they cannot simply spend their way out of every problem.

Considering the nonstop negativity from some fans, perhaps the Cardinals should move to a stronger television market, one where people might actually understand that rebuilding is sometimes part of building a real contender.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Their goal is to build a team capable of making a deeper playoff run, and for a mid-market franchise, that usually means accepting an occasional rebuilding year. Just look at Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, or even Washington. The Cardinals do not have the massive TV market and financial resources of the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, or Padres, so they cannot simply spend their way out of every problem.

Considering the nonstop negativity from some fans, perhaps the Cardinals should move to a stronger television market, one where people might actually understand that rebuilding is sometimes part of building a real contender.

And the Mets and Padres have both had rebuilds as well, despite being in those huge markets. The Dodgers and Yankees might be the only two teams who haven't.

[woofy25]

I'm just really excited to see the development of these kids under C. Bloom/R. Cerfolio's now fully instituted player development system that is giving these kids (FINALLY!) all the technological advances other teams minor leaguers have had for some time.

LOL...back of the Kool-aid dude. They haven't won a thing and I don't see a bright future yet either. I don't give a rat's #$$ about developing players that are years away. I want a competitive team in St Louis now.

We will see you in 2028. The rest of 2026 and next year won’t be much fun for the “win now” folks. I’m having a great time watching this process.

Yeah, the Cincy fans and the Pittsburgh fans are having that fun for over a decade. Enjoy.

The Braves figured it out. The Rays rebuild every year, and after two subpar seasons, they have the best record in the AL. See how cherry picking goes both ways?
We could also do this the other way. The Padres and Mets have been all in with huge payrolls and haven't won anything. The Yankees haven't won a WS since 2009. You can find teams to fill any narrative you want.

Again, for the learning impaired, what have they won? Yes, the Padres and the Mets spend money and have under-achieved. That does happen. Yet if you look through the history of baseball you'll see a common thread. Those that spend for top talent win, much more often. Cherry picking? Hardly.

Well, the Braves won the WS in 2021, and they will have made the playoffs in 6 of 8 seasons, including this one. They Rays made it to a WS this decade and will also be appearing in the playoffs in 6 of the last 8 seasons. And of course you're cherry picking. You have to do so in order to try implying that rebuilds don't work. They don't always work, but they can and have.
The Cardinals will spend money again. It just doesn't make sense to do so until they weed out the chaff and the new CBA makes it clear what the new rules of the road are.
If you have the patience of a 6yr old on Christmas morning, then yeah, you're in for a rough time and a lot whining. The plan is the plan. Whining that the Cardinals aren't signing someone like Skubal this offseason is pointless.

The Atlanta Braves' payroll has varied over the past decade, with estimates showing $172.6 million in 2021, $214.1 million in 2022, $248.8 million in 2023, $276.1 million in 2024, $234.8 million in 2025, and $256.5 million in 2026.
As for the Rays, well, wake me up when they win a championship. Bregman just stuck a dagger in them, I guess the Cubs wanted to win more. It just never ends with you sycophants.

Considering I have no relationship with the cardinals, and I have nothing to gain from them, the word sycophant is meaningless. If you’re going make fun of someone, make the name calling relevant.

The cardinals were 11th in payroll in 2021 while the braves were 10th. Nice try. I’d expect the cardinals to start spending money soon and get back to probably middle of the pack, though I don’t know how much less revenue they’ll be generating after the tv deal is finalized.

You just have a “yeah but” for every argument, but your excuses get tougher and tougher to justify as we peel back the onion.

Firstly, that was 2021. A far cry from the $98 million dollar sink hole that ownership has put them in today.
Secondly, you get on hear and agree with what ownership has done to this team, and that's your opinion and you're allowed that, but I'm allowed mine also and to me that makes you a sycophant.

You continue to use words incorrectly, "here" not "hear." Normally, I wouldn't point this one out, but there does seem to be a trend and it starts to impact credibility at a certain point.
I certainly don't agree with what ownership has done. However, given that nobody can change the past and that the present situation is what it is, I agree with the path forward. Yes, there is a difference.

[CCard]

I'm just really excited to see the development of these kids under C. Bloom/R. Cerfolio's now fully instituted player development system that is giving these kids (FINALLY!) all the technological advances other teams minor leaguers have had for some time.

LOL...back of the Kool-aid dude. They haven't won a thing and I don't see a bright future yet either. I don't give a rat's #$$ about developing players that are years away. I want a competitive team in St Louis now.

We will see you in 2028. The rest of 2026 and next year won’t be much fun for the “win now” folks. I’m having a great time watching this process.

Yeah, the Cincy fans and the Pittsburgh fans are having that fun for over a decade. Enjoy.

The Braves figured it out. The Rays rebuild every year, and after two subpar seasons, they have the best record in the AL. See how cherry picking goes both ways?
We could also do this the other way. The Padres and Mets have been all in with huge payrolls and haven't won anything. The Yankees haven't won a WS since 2009. You can find teams to fill any narrative you want.

Again, for the learning impaired, what have they won? Yes, the Padres and the Mets spend money and have under-achieved. That does happen. Yet if you look through the history of baseball you'll see a common thread. Those that spend for top talent win, much more often. Cherry picking? Hardly.

Well, the Braves won the WS in 2021, and they will have made the playoffs in 6 of 8 seasons, including this one. They Rays made it to a WS this decade and will also be appearing in the playoffs in 6 of the last 8 seasons. And of course you're cherry picking. You have to do so in order to try implying that rebuilds don't work. They don't always work, but they can and have.
The Cardinals will spend money again. It just doesn't make sense to do so until they weed out the chaff and the new CBA makes it clear what the new rules of the road are.
If you have the patience of a 6yr old on Christmas morning, then yeah, you're in for a rough time and a lot whining. The plan is the plan. Whining that the Cardinals aren't signing someone like Skubal this offseason is pointless.

The Atlanta Braves' payroll has varied over the past decade, with estimates showing $172.6 million in 2021, $214.1 million in 2022, $248.8 million in 2023, $276.1 million in 2024, $234.8 million in 2025, and $256.5 million in 2026.
As for the Rays, well, wake me up when they win a championship. Bregman just stuck a dagger in them, I guess the Cubs wanted to win more. It just never ends with you sycophants.

Considering I have no relationship with the cardinals, and I have nothing to gain from them, the word sycophant is meaningless. If you’re going make fun of someone, make the name calling relevant.

The cardinals were 11th in payroll in 2021 while the braves were 10th. Nice try. I’d expect the cardinals to start spending money soon and get back to probably middle of the pack, though I don’t know how much less revenue they’ll be generating after the tv deal is finalized.

You just have a “yeah but” for every argument, but your excuses get tougher and tougher to justify as we peel back the onion.

Firstly, that was 2021. A far cry from the $98 million dollar sink hole that ownership has put them in today.
Secondly, you get on hear and agree with what ownership has done to this team, and that's your opinion and you're allowed that, but I'm allowed mine also and to me that makes you a sycophant.

You continue to use words incorrectly, "here" not "hear." Normally, I wouldn't point this one out, but there does seem to be a trend and it starts to impact credibility at a certain point.
I certainly don't agree with what ownership has done. However, given that nobody can change the past and that the present situation is what it is, I agree with the path forward. Yes, there is a difference.

LOL...weak sauce.

[CCard]

The Milwaukee Brewers' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with the highest being $162.8 million in 2024 and the lowest around $131.99 million in 2021. In 2026, their total tax payroll is approximately $144.8 million.

The St. Louis Cardinals' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with a notable decrease to approximately $99 million in 2026. Another reason why the Brewers are so far ahead of the Cards in the standings. Another 50 million would have filled a lot of holes for the Cards. Just stop with the boot licking. It really gets old.

Now why would you compare the two payrolls this year? The Cardinals are in the first year of a rebuild. They have traditionally maintained a payroll in the top 12 or so of MLB in the last 20 years. The Brewers are not rebuilding, but they did shed a ton of payroll when they did recently rebuild.

If you'd like to have an honest argument, go look at the Brewers payroll when they started their rebuild. $93 million in 2015 when they started selling. $63 million in 2016 in the first real year of the rebuild, $69 million in 2017. $109 in 2018. Finally, they got back to around their normal payroll level of $136 million in 2019.

I don't know if you're playing dumb about not understanding the rebuild and just trolling or if you're actually just not a bright person, but that's the point of a rebuild. You get rid of a bunch of players who aren't getting any better and who are expensive, rebuild and restock your farm system by trading them off for prospects, in the Cardinals case, get back to drafting and developing, then start adding payroll with guys who you'd like to extend, or from guys that you bring in from the outside. There's every reason to expect that the Cardinals are going to get back to the payroll levels that they were at for the last 25 years after they've had a few years to rebuild.

That's the point. You want to get the team to a level where they are drafting and developing players like the Brewers, but actually having about $50 million or so extra in payroll so you can get to that next level, unlike the Brewers.

Rebuild ...blah....blah....blah. Bull$hit. You either play to win or you plan to fail. They planned to fail and it's come to fruition. They cut payroll in half for no good reason except to keep the money in ownership's pockets. They could have spent the money and this team would have had a chance at a playoff run. There was no reason except they didn't want to spend the money. It's obscene and to be honest I'm shocked that so many are okay with it.

Their goal is to build a team capable of making a deeper playoff run, and for a mid-market franchise, that usually means accepting an occasional rebuilding year. Just look at Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, or even Washington. The Cardinals do not have the massive TV market and financial resources of the Yankees, Dodgers, Mets, or Padres, so they cannot simply spend their way out of every problem.

Considering the nonstop negativity from some fans, perhaps the Cardinals should move to a stronger television market, one where people might actually understand that rebuilding is sometimes part of building a real contender.

More sycophantic groveling to ownership. The premise is a fallacy. Not only that but it gives cover to cheap ownership and free reign to teams that are willing to spend to win. There is no good excuse for the Cards to have a $98 million dollar payroll. None.

[woofy25]

I'm just really excited to see the development of these kids under C. Bloom/R. Cerfolio's now fully instituted player development system that is giving these kids (FINALLY!) all the technological advances other teams minor leaguers have had for some time.

LOL...back of the Kool-aid dude. They haven't won a thing and I don't see a bright future yet either. I don't give a rat's #$$ about developing players that are years away. I want a competitive team in St Louis now.

We will see you in 2028. The rest of 2026 and next year won’t be much fun for the “win now” folks. I’m having a great time watching this process.

Yeah, the Cincy fans and the Pittsburgh fans are having that fun for over a decade. Enjoy.

The Braves figured it out. The Rays rebuild every year, and after two subpar seasons, they have the best record in the AL. See how cherry picking goes both ways?
We could also do this the other way. The Padres and Mets have been all in with huge payrolls and haven't won anything. The Yankees haven't won a WS since 2009. You can find teams to fill any narrative you want.

Again, for the learning impaired, what have they won? Yes, the Padres and the Mets spend money and have under-achieved. That does happen. Yet if you look through the history of baseball you'll see a common thread. Those that spend for top talent win, much more often. Cherry picking? Hardly.

Well, the Braves won the WS in 2021, and they will have made the playoffs in 6 of 8 seasons, including this one. They Rays made it to a WS this decade and will also be appearing in the playoffs in 6 of the last 8 seasons. And of course you're cherry picking. You have to do so in order to try implying that rebuilds don't work. They don't always work, but they can and have.
The Cardinals will spend money again. It just doesn't make sense to do so until they weed out the chaff and the new CBA makes it clear what the new rules of the road are.
If you have the patience of a 6yr old on Christmas morning, then yeah, you're in for a rough time and a lot whining. The plan is the plan. Whining that the Cardinals aren't signing someone like Skubal this offseason is pointless.

The Atlanta Braves' payroll has varied over the past decade, with estimates showing $172.6 million in 2021, $214.1 million in 2022, $248.8 million in 2023, $276.1 million in 2024, $234.8 million in 2025, and $256.5 million in 2026.
As for the Rays, well, wake me up when they win a championship. Bregman just stuck a dagger in them, I guess the Cubs wanted to win more. It just never ends with you sycophants.

Considering I have no relationship with the cardinals, and I have nothing to gain from them, the word sycophant is meaningless. If you’re going make fun of someone, make the name calling relevant.

The cardinals were 11th in payroll in 2021 while the braves were 10th. Nice try. I’d expect the cardinals to start spending money soon and get back to probably middle of the pack, though I don’t know how much less revenue they’ll be generating after the tv deal is finalized.

You just have a “yeah but” for every argument, but your excuses get tougher and tougher to justify as we peel back the onion.

Firstly, that was 2021. A far cry from the $98 million dollar sink hole that ownership has put them in today.
Secondly, you get on hear and agree with what ownership has done to this team, and that's your opinion and you're allowed that, but I'm allowed mine also and to me that makes you a sycophant.

You continue to use words incorrectly, "here" not "hear." Normally, I wouldn't point this one out, but there does seem to be a trend and it starts to impact credibility at a certain point.
I certainly don't agree with what ownership has done. However, given that nobody can change the past and that the present situation is what it is, I agree with the path forward. Yes, there is a difference.

LOL...weak sauce.

What's your ideal strategy, given the circumstances? Sign Skubal in the offseason and bring back Arozarena? Please, enlighten us with your big spending ideas and who on the current roster you're building around.

[CCard]

The Milwaukee Brewers' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with the highest being $162.8 million in 2024 and the lowest around $131.99 million in 2021. In 2026, their total tax payroll is approximately $144.8 million.

The St. Louis Cardinals' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with a notable decrease to approximately $99 million in 2026. Another reason why the Brewers are so far ahead of the Cards in the standings. Another 50 million would have filled a lot of holes for the Cards. Just stop with the boot licking. It really gets old.

Now why would you compare the two payrolls this year? The Cardinals are in the first year of a rebuild. They have traditionally maintained a payroll in the top 12 or so of MLB in the last 20 years. The Brewers are not rebuilding, but they did shed a ton of payroll when they did recently rebuild.

If you'd like to have an honest argument, go look at the Brewers payroll when they started their rebuild. $93 million in 2015 when they started selling. $63 million in 2016 in the first real year of the rebuild, $69 million in 2017. $109 in 2018. Finally, they got back to around their normal payroll level of $136 million in 2019.

I don't know if you're playing dumb about not understanding the rebuild and just trolling or if you're actually just not a bright person, but that's the point of a rebuild. You get rid of a bunch of players who aren't getting any better and who are expensive, rebuild and restock your farm system by trading them off for prospects, in the Cardinals case, get back to drafting and developing, then start adding payroll with guys who you'd like to extend, or from guys that you bring in from the outside. There's every reason to expect that the Cardinals are going to get back to the payroll levels that they were at for the last 25 years after they've had a few years to rebuild.

That's the point. You want to get the team to a level where they are drafting and developing players like the Brewers, but actually having about $50 million or so extra in payroll so you can get to that next level, unlike the Brewers.

Rebuild ...blah....blah....blah. Bull$hit. You either play to win or you plan to fail. They planned to fail and it's come to fruition. They cut payroll in half for no good reason except to keep the money in ownership's pockets. They could have spent the money and this team would have had a chance at a playoff run. There was no reason except they didn't want to spend the money. It's obscene and to be honest I'm shocked that so many are okay with it.

I think they are playing to win. I think they are planning for success. Longer sustainable success.
Quite honestly, The Team is doing a lot better than I thought they would. I thought this year would be a total disaster. So since they are performing better than I anticipated, I really can’t get upset about it.

The year isn't over yet and they're 14 games out. How much worse could it get? The team is more than just the players. I believe the players and coaches are trying to win but I don't believe ownership and the front office are. When you gut payroll as a mid to upper mid level team then you are in effect planning to fail and it has come to pass. There's just something inherently wrong with intentionally losing. It cheapens the game and the statistics. It also is a slap in the face to the fanbase. And lastly, it guarantees nothing at all. They could rebuild for a decade and be just like Cincy and Pitt. Personally, it sickens me that ownership is doing it and that it has the support of so many sycophants on this board and in sports journalism.

[Talkin' Baseball]

The Milwaukee Brewers' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with the highest being $162.8 million in 2024 and the lowest around $131.99 million in 2021. In 2026, their total tax payroll is approximately $144.8 million.

The St. Louis Cardinals' payroll has varied significantly over the last decade, with a notable decrease to approximately $99 million in 2026. Another reason why the Brewers are so far ahead of the Cards in the standings. Another 50 million would have filled a lot of holes for the Cards. Just stop with the boot licking. It really gets old.

Now why would you compare the two payrolls this year? The Cardinals are in the first year of a rebuild. They have traditionally maintained a payroll in the top 12 or so of MLB in the last 20 years. The Brewers are not rebuilding, but they did shed a ton of payroll when they did recently rebuild.

If you'd like to have an honest argument, go look at the Brewers payroll when they started their rebuild. $93 million in 2015 when they started selling. $63 million in 2016 in the first real year of the rebuild, $69 million in 2017. $109 in 2018. Finally, they got back to around their normal payroll level of $136 million in 2019.

I don't know if you're playing dumb about not understanding the rebuild and just trolling or if you're actually just not a bright person, but that's the point of a rebuild. You get rid of a bunch of players who aren't getting any better and who are expensive, rebuild and restock your farm system by trading them off for prospects, in the Cardinals case, get back to drafting and developing, then start adding payroll with guys who you'd like to extend, or from guys that you bring in from the outside. There's every reason to expect that the Cardinals are going to get back to the payroll levels that they were at for the last 25 years after they've had a few years to rebuild.

That's the point. You want to get the team to a level where they are drafting and developing players like the Brewers, but actually having about $50 million or so extra in payroll so you can get to that next level, unlike the Brewers.

Rebuild ...blah....blah....blah. Bull$hit. You either play to win or you plan to fail. They planned to fail and it's come to fruition. They cut payroll in half for no good reason except to keep the money in ownership's pockets. They could have spent the money and this team would have had a chance at a playoff run. There was no reason except they didn't want to spend the money. It's obscene and to be honest I'm shocked that so many are okay with it.

I think they are playing to win. I think they are planning for success. Longer sustainable success.
Quite honestly, The Team is doing a lot better than I thought they would. I thought this year would be a total disaster. So since they are performing better than I anticipated, I really can’t get upset about it.

The year isn't over yet and they're 14 games out. How much worse could it get? The team is more than just the players. I believe the players and coaches are trying to win but I don't believe ownership and the front office are. When you gut payroll as a mid to upper mid level team then you are in effect planning to fail and it has come to pass. There's just something inherently wrong with intentionally losing. It cheapens the game and the statistics. It also is a slap in the face to the fanbase. And lastly, it guarantees nothing at all. They could rebuild for a decade and be just like Cincy and Pitt. Personally, it sickens me that ownership is doing it and that it has the support of so many sycophants on this board and in sports journalism.

Ah yes, like Pittsburgh...