The Cardinals with Kyle Tucker.

[CCard]

I like the Tucker possibility, I'm saying that up front.

That being said, I don't see any big, out-of-house signings before the huge labor obstacle is solved in 2027. I never expect the big signings in a normal setting, that's not our makeup.

We could do an inhouse signing or two this offseason, but that's about it.

Bet your butt that some billionaire will sign him. Just not the penny pinching DeWitt. Another star going to a high payroll team, probably with deferred money.

CCard - Guess that makes 2/3 of the owners of ML teams "penny pinchers". Right?

Just watch the playoffs and you'll see who spends money. The proof is in the pudding as they say.

So, you would like to spend like the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, etc.?

You know who else cries poor all the time? The Pirates, Reds, Marlins, etc etc. What do these teams have in common? They don't pony up on the payroll. No one is saying to spend $350 million like the Dodgers, but come on, cutting payroll when you're already way below the luxury tax threshold? This has been beaten to death already. They're being cheap. And cheap in the MLB gets you jack cht.

[Cranny]

I like the Tucker possibility, I'm saying that up front.

That being said, I don't see any big, out-of-house signings before the huge labor obstacle is solved in 2027. I never expect the big signings in a normal setting, that's not our makeup.

We could do an inhouse signing or two this offseason, but that's about it.

Bet your butt that some billionaire will sign him. Just not the penny pinching DeWitt. Another star going to a high payroll team, probably with deferred money.

CCard - Guess that makes 2/3 of the owners of ML teams "penny pinchers". Right?

Just watch the playoffs and you'll see who spends money. The proof is in the pudding as they say.

So, you would like to spend like the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, etc.?

You know who else cries poor all the time? The Pirates, Reds, Marlins, etc etc. What do these teams have in common? They don't pony up on the payroll. No one is saying to spend $350 million like the Dodgers, but come on, cutting payroll when you're already way below the luxury tax threshold? This has been beaten to death already. They're being cheap. And cheap in the MLB gets you jack cht.

They're actually giving some talented young players a chance to succeed. Pretty exciting to see, and working fairly well so far. You should watch the interview with Cerfolio that was posted on here. It was revealing.

[45s]

Depends on how close you think the Cardinals actually are to competing and how much Tucker is going to get.

If Tucker gets, say, 10 yrs./$300 million, you should be expecting to be in "win now" mode over about the first five years of that contract moreso than waiting until the last five.

There are positive signs in the productivity of the Cardinals young players, but I don't know if this offseason or the offseason after the 2026 season is the time to start adding pieces again.

The last projection I saw was 12 years for 525

Tucker is not coming to Stl.

If 12/525 is the deal, I hope he doesn't come to St Louis. Someone is going to pay an average of 43.75M per season through his age 41 season? He might deliver 5 eilite seasons and 3 fair seasons. Has anyone noticed the decline in our age 34 third baseman? Hello. Tell me (not a rhetorical question) who out there presently is worth 30M annually at the following ages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

Spot on……it’s surprising some want to sign Tucker with their experience of Goldschmidt and arenado….highly paid players, aging and performing poorly….

It’s not the per season cost….its the years these guys want

That’s why H said adios

[RunSup]

The team would look like-

Tucker Scott Burleson

Nado Winn Donovan Willy

Pages. DH Gorman/Herrera

Staff.

Gray Sandy Libby McG Pallante.

The reason I mention Tucker and Sandy as they are currently available or will be at seasons end. And no one else is available at this precise time.

Anything less in this scenerio just puts us in upper mediocre catagory. The reset is falling into our lap, all things functioning well- players- team - future.

There’s not a GM who wouldn’t love to be in our position. So much opportunity for power again.

Well Bulldog, I read your op and skipped to the last page. Now I have Supertramp stuck in my head. Thanks for the earworm.

"Dreamer, you know you are a dreamer
Well, can you put your hands in your head? Oh no!"

Tucker feels like another Bryce Harper trip.

My read is that Walker will get another shot as this season has been lost. He is still young. Walker and Burly in RF until Josh Baez arrives.

Wetherholt in the mix sometime in 2026. Bloom trades Nado in the off season and do what Mo couldn't.

They won't sign Alcantra. Replace that name in 2027 with the SP they draft with the fifth pick in July.

Oli is the manager in 2026 or offered a role in the Development organization.

Thats the future I see in my crystal ball. But have fun storming the castle.

[desertrat23]

I like the Tucker possibility, I'm saying that up front.

That being said, I don't see any big, out-of-house signings before the huge labor obstacle is solved in 2027. I never expect the big signings in a normal setting, that's not our makeup.

We could do an inhouse signing or two this offseason, but that's about it.

Bet your butt that some billionaire will sign him. Just not the penny pinching DeWitt. Another star going to a high payroll team, probably with deferred money.

CCard - Guess that makes 2/3 of the owners of ML teams "penny pinchers". Right?

Just watch the playoffs and you'll see who spends money. The proof is in the pudding as they say.

So, you would like to spend like the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, etc.?

You know who else cries poor all the time? The Pirates, Reds, Marlins, etc etc. What do these teams have in common? They don't pony up on the payroll. No one is saying to spend $350 million like the Dodgers, but come on, cutting payroll when you're already way below the luxury tax threshold? This has been beaten to death already. They're being cheap. And cheap in the MLB gets you jack cht.

They're actually giving some talented young players a chance to succeed. Pretty exciting to see, and working fairly well so far. You should watch the interview with Cerfolio that was posted on here. It was revealing.

I guess if third place is “working fairly well so far,” then I guess it is.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Depends on how close you think the Cardinals actually are to competing and how much Tucker is going to get.

If Tucker gets, say, 10 yrs./$300 million, you should be expecting to be in "win now" mode over about the first five years of that contract moreso than waiting until the last five.

There are positive signs in the productivity of the Cardinals young players, but I don't know if this offseason or the offseason after the 2026 season is the time to start adding pieces again.

The last projection I saw was 12 years for 525

Tucker is not coming to Stl.

If 12/525 is the deal, I hope he doesn't come to St Louis. Someone is going to pay an average of 43.75M per season through his age 41 season? He might deliver 5 eilite seasons and 3 fair seasons. Has anyone noticed the decline in our age 34 third baseman? Hello. Tell me (not a rhetorical question) who out there presently is worth 30M annually at the following ages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

Spot on……it’s surprising some want to sign Tucker with their experience of Goldschmidt and arenado….highly paid players, aging and performing poorly….

It’s not the per season cost….its the years these guys want

That’s why H said adios

It’s not a pretty picture. If we don’t sign bigger fish eventually, we run the risk of being consumed by said species.

In order to compete we need to up our ante. Otherwise we are a flightless bird.

[sikeston bulldog2]

The team would look like-

Tucker Scott Burleson

Nado Winn Donovan Willy

Pages. DH Gorman/Herrera

Staff.

Gray Sandy Libby McG Pallante.

The reason I mention Tucker and Sandy as they are currently available or will be at seasons end. And no one else is available at this precise time.

Anything less in this scenerio just puts us in upper mediocre catagory. The reset is falling into our lap, all things functioning well- players- team - future.

There’s not a GM who wouldn’t love to be in our position. So much opportunity for power again.

Well Bulldog, I read your op and skipped to the last page. Now I have Supertramp stuck in my head. Thanks for the earworm.

"Dreamer, you know you are a dreamer
Well, can you put your hands in your head? Oh no!"

Tucker feels like another Bryce Harper trip.

My read is that Walker will get another shot as this season has been lost. He is still young. Walker and Burly in RF until Josh Baez arrives.

Wetherholt in the mix sometime in 2026. Bloom trades Nado in the off season and do what Mo couldn't.

They won't sign Alcantra. Replace that name in 2027 with the SP they draft with the fifth pick in July.

Oli is the manager in 2026 or offered a role in the Development organization.

Thats the future I see in my crystal ball. But have fun storming the castle.

Gotta break the mold, or stay non relevant.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Depends on how close you think the Cardinals actually are to competing and how much Tucker is going to get.

If Tucker gets, say, 10 yrs./$300 million, you should be expecting to be in "win now" mode over about the first five years of that contract moreso than waiting until the last five.

There are positive signs in the productivity of the Cardinals young players, but I don't know if this offseason or the offseason after the 2026 season is the time to start adding pieces again.

The last projection I saw was 12 years for 525

Tucker is not coming to Stl.

If 12/525 is the deal, I hope he doesn't come to St Louis. Someone is going to pay an average of 43.75M per season through his age 41 season? He might deliver 5 eilite seasons and 3 fair seasons. Has anyone noticed the decline in our age 34 third baseman? Hello. Tell me (not a rhetorical question) who out there presently is worth 30M annually at the following ages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

Spot on……it’s surprising some want to sign Tucker with their experience of Goldschmidt and arenado….highly paid players, aging and performing poorly….

It’s not the per season cost….its the years these guys want

That’s why H said adios

It’s not a pretty picture. If we don’t sign bigger fish eventually, we run the risk of being consumed by said species.

In order to compete we need to up our ante. Otherwise we are a flightless bird.

I agree that the talent level needs to be higher, but are you suggesting we pay large sums per season to players through their age 40 or beyond seasons?

[sikeston bulldog2]

Depends on how close you think the Cardinals actually are to competing and how much Tucker is going to get.

If Tucker gets, say, 10 yrs./$300 million, you should be expecting to be in "win now" mode over about the first five years of that contract moreso than waiting until the last five.

There are positive signs in the productivity of the Cardinals young players, but I don't know if this offseason or the offseason after the 2026 season is the time to start adding pieces again.

The last projection I saw was 12 years for 525

Tucker is not coming to Stl.

If 12/525 is the deal, I hope he doesn't come to St Louis. Someone is going to pay an average of 43.75M per season through his age 41 season? He might deliver 5 eilite seasons and 3 fair seasons. Has anyone noticed the decline in our age 34 third baseman? Hello. Tell me (not a rhetorical question) who out there presently is worth 30M annually at the following ages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

Spot on……it’s surprising some want to sign Tucker with their experience of Goldschmidt and arenado….highly paid players, aging and performing poorly….

It’s not the per season cost….its the years these guys want

That’s why H said adios

It’s not a pretty picture. If we don’t sign bigger fish eventually, we run the risk of being consumed by said species.

In order to compete we need to up our ante. Otherwise we are a flightless bird.

I agree that the talent level needs to be higher, but are you suggesting we pay large sums per season to players through their age 40 or beyond seasons?

No. I’m certain Tucker will have an opt out, and take it. As for longevity he seems the body type to handle a long season. This less injury.

Anyway the point is, it’s this level talent we need to get to our top, and if not Tucker , who? And if not now , when.

The current model is moving like pond water.

[45s]

Depends on how close you think the Cardinals actually are to competing and how much Tucker is going to get.

If Tucker gets, say, 10 yrs./$300 million, you should be expecting to be in "win now" mode over about the first five years of that contract moreso than waiting until the last five.

There are positive signs in the productivity of the Cardinals young players, but I don't know if this offseason or the offseason after the 2026 season is the time to start adding pieces again.

The last projection I saw was 12 years for 525

Tucker is not coming to Stl.

If 12/525 is the deal, I hope he doesn't come to St Louis. Someone is going to pay an average of 43.75M per season through his age 41 season? He might deliver 5 eilite seasons and 3 fair seasons. Has anyone noticed the decline in our age 34 third baseman? Hello. Tell me (not a rhetorical question) who out there presently is worth 30M annually at the following ages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

Spot on……it’s surprising some want to sign Tucker with their experience of Goldschmidt and arenado….highly paid players, aging and performing poorly….

It’s not the per season cost….its the years these guys want

That’s why H said adios

It’s not a pretty picture. If we don’t sign bigger fish eventually, we run the risk of being consumed by said species.

In order to compete we need to up our ante. Otherwise we are a flightless bird.

I agree that the talent level needs to be higher, but are you suggesting we pay large sums per season to players through their age 40 or beyond seasons?

No. I’m certain Tucker will have an opt out, and take it. As for longevity he seems the body type to handle a long season. This less injury.

Anyway the point is, it’s this level talent we need to get to our top, and if not Tucker , who? And if not now , when.

The current model is moving like pond water.

The current model has been in place less than a year.

The new guy…and the changes he will bring is not officially in place.

Patience Grasshopper

[desertrat23]

Depends on how close you think the Cardinals actually are to competing and how much Tucker is going to get.

If Tucker gets, say, 10 yrs./$300 million, you should be expecting to be in "win now" mode over about the first five years of that contract moreso than waiting until the last five.

There are positive signs in the productivity of the Cardinals young players, but I don't know if this offseason or the offseason after the 2026 season is the time to start adding pieces again.

The last projection I saw was 12 years for 525

Tucker is not coming to Stl.

If 12/525 is the deal, I hope he doesn't come to St Louis. Someone is going to pay an average of 43.75M per season through his age 41 season? He might deliver 5 eilite seasons and 3 fair seasons. Has anyone noticed the decline in our age 34 third baseman? Hello. Tell me (not a rhetorical question) who out there presently is worth 30M annually at the following ages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

Spot on……it’s surprising some want to sign Tucker with their experience of Goldschmidt and arenado….highly paid players, aging and performing poorly….

It’s not the per season cost….its the years these guys want

That’s why H said adios

It’s not a pretty picture. If we don’t sign bigger fish eventually, we run the risk of being consumed by said species.

In order to compete we need to up our ante. Otherwise we are a flightless bird.

I agree that the talent level needs to be higher, but are you suggesting we pay large sums per season to players through their age 40 or beyond seasons?

No. I’m certain Tucker will have an opt out, and take it. As for longevity he seems the body type to handle a long season. This less injury.

Anyway the point is, it’s this level talent we need to get to our top, and if not Tucker , who? And if not now , when.

The current model is moving like pond water.

The current model has been in place less than a year.

The new guy…and the changes he will bring is not officially in place.

Patience Grasshopper

I hear you, but one playoff series win in 10 years doesn’t lend itself to a lot of desire for patience. Abysmal attendance says as much.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Depends on how close you think the Cardinals actually are to competing and how much Tucker is going to get.

If Tucker gets, say, 10 yrs./$300 million, you should be expecting to be in "win now" mode over about the first five years of that contract moreso than waiting until the last five.

There are positive signs in the productivity of the Cardinals young players, but I don't know if this offseason or the offseason after the 2026 season is the time to start adding pieces again.

The last projection I saw was 12 years for 525

Tucker is not coming to Stl.

If 12/525 is the deal, I hope he doesn't come to St Louis. Someone is going to pay an average of 43.75M per season through his age 41 season? He might deliver 5 eilite seasons and 3 fair seasons. Has anyone noticed the decline in our age 34 third baseman? Hello. Tell me (not a rhetorical question) who out there presently is worth 30M annually at the following ages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

Spot on……it’s surprising some want to sign Tucker with their experience of Goldschmidt and arenado….highly paid players, aging and performing poorly….

It’s not the per season cost….its the years these guys want

That’s why H said adios

It’s not a pretty picture. If we don’t sign bigger fish eventually, we run the risk of being consumed by said species.

In order to compete we need to up our ante. Otherwise we are a flightless bird.

I agree that the talent level needs to be higher, but are you suggesting we pay large sums per season to players through their age 40 or beyond seasons?

No. I’m certain Tucker will have an opt out, and take it. As for longevity he seems the body type to handle a long season. This less injury.

Anyway the point is, it’s this level talent we need to get to our top, and if not Tucker , who? And if not now , when.

The current model is moving like pond water.

The current model has been in place less than a year.

The new guy…and the changes he will bring is not officially in place.

Patience Grasshopper

I hear you, but one playoff series win in 10 years doesn’t lend itself to a lot of desire for patience. Abysmal attendance says as much.

You aren't wrong, but it's clear that some practices are changing. Those changes will become more prominent as time goes on. I am more optimistic about the future for the Cardinals than I have been in 10 years. There are smart people in the building and I think that will matter a lot. I'm not overly concerned about this season.

[45s]

Depends on how close you think the Cardinals actually are to competing and how much Tucker is going to get.

If Tucker gets, say, 10 yrs./$300 million, you should be expecting to be in "win now" mode over about the first five years of that contract moreso than waiting until the last five.

There are positive signs in the productivity of the Cardinals young players, but I don't know if this offseason or the offseason after the 2026 season is the time to start adding pieces again.

The last projection I saw was 12 years for 525

Tucker is not coming to Stl.

If 12/525 is the deal, I hope he doesn't come to St Louis. Someone is going to pay an average of 43.75M per season through his age 41 season? He might deliver 5 eilite seasons and 3 fair seasons. Has anyone noticed the decline in our age 34 third baseman? Hello. Tell me (not a rhetorical question) who out there presently is worth 30M annually at the following ages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

Spot on……it’s surprising some want to sign Tucker with their experience of Goldschmidt and arenado….highly paid players, aging and performing poorly….

It’s not the per season cost….its the years these guys want

That’s why H said adios

It’s not a pretty picture. If we don’t sign bigger fish eventually, we run the risk of being consumed by said species.

In order to compete we need to up our ante. Otherwise we are a flightless bird.

I agree that the talent level needs to be higher, but are you suggesting we pay large sums per season to players through their age 40 or beyond seasons?

No. I’m certain Tucker will have an opt out, and take it. As for longevity he seems the body type to handle a long season. This less injury.

Anyway the point is, it’s this level talent we need to get to our top, and if not Tucker , who? And if not now , when.

The current model is moving like pond water.

The current model has been in place less than a year.

The new guy…and the changes he will bring is not officially in place.

Patience Grasshopper

I hear you, but one playoff series win in 10 years doesn’t lend itself to a lot of desire for patience. Abysmal attendance says as much.

I feel your pain

I have been through this type situation, but if done correctly a rebuild can lead to long term success.

I will grant you that there is some question as to whether the people currently in place can get it right.

In the meantime, enjoy the Tigers title.

Congrats to your kids.

[desertrat23]

Depends on how close you think the Cardinals actually are to competing and how much Tucker is going to get.

If Tucker gets, say, 10 yrs./$300 million, you should be expecting to be in "win now" mode over about the first five years of that contract moreso than waiting until the last five.

There are positive signs in the productivity of the Cardinals young players, but I don't know if this offseason or the offseason after the 2026 season is the time to start adding pieces again.

The last projection I saw was 12 years for 525

Tucker is not coming to Stl.

If 12/525 is the deal, I hope he doesn't come to St Louis. Someone is going to pay an average of 43.75M per season through his age 41 season? He might deliver 5 eilite seasons and 3 fair seasons. Has anyone noticed the decline in our age 34 third baseman? Hello. Tell me (not a rhetorical question) who out there presently is worth 30M annually at the following ages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

Spot on……it’s surprising some want to sign Tucker with their experience of Goldschmidt and arenado….highly paid players, aging and performing poorly….

It’s not the per season cost….its the years these guys want

That’s why H said adios

It’s not a pretty picture. If we don’t sign bigger fish eventually, we run the risk of being consumed by said species.

In order to compete we need to up our ante. Otherwise we are a flightless bird.

I agree that the talent level needs to be higher, but are you suggesting we pay large sums per season to players through their age 40 or beyond seasons?

No. I’m certain Tucker will have an opt out, and take it. As for longevity he seems the body type to handle a long season. This less injury.

Anyway the point is, it’s this level talent we need to get to our top, and if not Tucker , who? And if not now , when.

The current model is moving like pond water.

The current model has been in place less than a year.

The new guy…and the changes he will bring is not officially in place.

Patience Grasshopper

I hear you, but one playoff series win in 10 years doesn’t lend itself to a lot of desire for patience. Abysmal attendance says as much.

I feel your pain

I have been through this type situation, but if done correctly a rebuild can lead to long term success.

I will grant you that there is some question as to whether the people currently in place can get it right.

In the meantime, enjoy the Tigers title.

Congrats to your kids.

If they had fired or reassigned Mo after last year, I’d be fully on board with their plan. The fact that they let him keep his job for a farewell tour shows they’re not serious.

[Talkin' Baseball]

That definitely feels cobbled up.

[Talkin' Baseball]

That definitely feels cobbled up.

It's part of the overall problem and it comes from ownership. Mo makes an easy target- he does the things they want done in the way they want them done. There is no decisiveness- no commitment where the onfield product is concerned. Everything turns into a middling slog. The roster is that way, the payroll is that way, the rebuild/re-set/runway season is that way, and this front office change has been done that way as well. There's nothing like soggy cereal to energize the fanbase.