The media is even saying the cardinals say one thing and do another!

[Mr Nice Guy]

Well, I have seen several places - ESPN, SI, e.g. - repeating the so-called goal of a "reset" year, and to let the young players play, but question why the vets such as Arenado, Gray, Fedde, et al, are still on the team. So is it a reset, or are they trying to compete?

It’s both. They’re hoping to be competitive while they reset their payroll to a lower number. This isn’t that hard.

It wouldn't be that hard if the team had enough balls to actually communicate what they were actually planning. But they didn't want to hold a press conference & tell the fans that goal #1 wasn't to play prospects but instead was to save money, and if they can be competitive while doing it.

Problem is you can sell fans on playing prospects, you can sell them on trying to compete. You can't sell most people on "we want to save money above all while trying to be as competitive as possible within our lower payroll" In essence you're dooming yourself to the muddy middle where you're never bad enough to get high draft picks fans can get excited about but also never good enough to get fans excited by the promise of the team competing for a championship. So instead they try to use the "reset" messaging because it sounds better than what they were really planning which was just a payroll reduction. They thought that would include playing more kids, but they underestimated their GM's lack of ability to even do a fire sale right.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

I am not a Mo fan, but I think Mo got jammed from every angle this offseason. First, WC and Gray said no wave the NTC. Then Nado vetoed Houston, and Bregman blocked Boston. My guess is the other GMs low-balled him on RH and Fedde. He and BDW decided to stand pat until some better offers come in or until July. Just my guess. The optics of all that contradict what was said back in the fall. So, the press write about it.

If they get good value for Fedde and Helsley at the AS break then the rebuild is on track. Dealing off Nado and Gray etc means nothing in that respect. it is just money that has no long term impact on how the team rebuilds. So I know I am one of the biggest complainers they still have both pitchers (injury or less effectiveness losing them value) but if it works in 3 months I will mea culpa and be happy.

[Futuregm2]

Well, I have seen several places - ESPN, SI, e.g. - repeating the so-called goal of a "reset" year, and to let the young players play, but question why the vets such as Arenado, Gray, Fedde, et al, are still on the team. So is it a reset, or are they trying to compete?

It’s both. They’re hoping to be competitive while they reset their payroll to a lower number. This isn’t that hard.

It wouldn't be that hard if the team had enough balls to actually communicate what they were actually planning. But they didn't want to hold a press conference & tell the fans that goal #1 wasn't to play prospects but instead was to save money, and if they can be competitive while doing it.

Problem is you can sell fans on playing prospects, you can sell them on trying to compete. You can't sell most people on "we want to save money above all while trying to be as competitive as possible within our lower payroll" In essence you're dooming yourself to the muddy middle where you're never bad enough to get high draft picks fans can get excited about but also never good enough to get fans excited by the promise of the team competing for a championship. So instead they try to use the "reset" messaging because it sounds better than what they were really planning which was just a payroll reduction. They thought that would include playing more kids, but they underestimated their GM's lack of ability to even do a fire sale right.

Hey, being in the middle last year helped us get a #5 pick And really because of that it didn’t matter if they were terrible this year or not because we can’t have a lottery pick next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if that played some kind of a role in it, too, as they learned that at the end of the winter meetings. This would have been a waste of a year to tear the roster down unless you could get good prospects in the trades themselves, which they weren’t going to.

[hugeCardfan]

Well, I have seen several places - ESPN, SI, e.g. - repeating the so-called goal of a "reset" year, and to let the young players play, but question why the vets such as Arenado, Gray, Fedde, et al, are still on the team. So is it a reset, or are they trying to compete?

It’s both. They’re hoping to be competitive while they reset their payroll to a lower number. This isn’t that hard.

It wouldn't be that hard if the team had enough balls to actually communicate what they were actually planning. But they didn't want to hold a press conference & tell the fans that goal #1 wasn't to play prospects but instead was to save money, and if they can be competitive while doing it.

Problem is you can sell fans on playing prospects, you can sell them on trying to compete. You can't sell most people on "we want to save money above all while trying to be as competitive as possible within our lower payroll" In essence you're dooming yourself to the muddy middle where you're never bad enough to get high draft picks fans can get excited about but also never good enough to get fans excited by the promise of the team competing for a championship. So instead they try to use the "reset" messaging because it sounds better than what they were really planning which was just a payroll reduction. They thought that would include playing more kids, but they underestimated their GM's lack of ability to even do a fire sale right.

Hey, being in the middle last year helped us get a #5 pick And really because of that it didn’t matter if they were terrible this year or not because we can’t have a lottery pick next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if that played some kind of a role in it, too, as they learned that at the end of the winter meetings. This would have been a waste of a year to tear the roster down unless you could get good prospects in the trades themselves, which they weren’t going to.

Somebody gets it.

[mariontt]

PRESIDENT George W.Bush said There's an old saying in Tennessee I know it's in Texas that says fool me once shame on. shame on you fool me. you can't get fooled again.I think we cardinal fans are there.

Probably my favorite quote of all time.