Hate to think this but we aren't far from Royals territory

[C-Unit]

We averaged 5,917 more fans per game this season. After the 1985 debacle they didn't make the postseason for 29 years. Won a WS in 2015 and within 3 season lost 104 games. Took them 9 seasons after the WS to post a winning record.

We have to get rid of the mentality of 5 games over .500 at the all star break is an automatic sell off like we did this season.

Yeah, you have a point. For the most part, if you get in you have a chance and with expanded playoffs it should be a bit easier to set your sights on a playoff spot, and less tempting to go the other way.

But a competitive roster needs to be geared towards winning 90-94 games year in year out. Not 83-85. Anything happens if you get in, yes. But there is still a difference between a 94-win team and a 85, the main difference being that you aren't entirely counting on luck to carry you (just to make the playoff spot, even).

The 2006 team was 5 games over .500.

My point for starting this thread is this isn't easy. We aren't going to be the Dodgers winning 90+ games every year. Revenue is down significantly.

Yeah but the 2006 team was on the low end for the win totals of all the teams we had around that era. Nowadays, that's about what our target seems to be.

You're right the path ahead is tough. But you have to get back to being a consistent 90-94 win team if you want to call yourself a team with a chance to win it all.

Cleveland has won 90+ games 6 times since 2016 (and 35-25 in the covid year).

And then we know about Milwaukee, they've won 90+ games 5 times since 2018.

So yes its hard but those are two examples of teams that can do it without revenues in their favor. We can also circle teams with higher revenues who spend poorly and don't get bang for their buck, and end up with disappointing teams.

So it can be done. If Bloom/Cerfolio are successful with what they are setting out to do, we should be seeing a better organization. And, Cerfolio came from that Cleveland system that has been so good.

The 2006 team was on the low end of wins total because of injuries not because of lack of talent they got healthy at the right time. That’s what makes the argument of the 2006 team being an example of the just get in and anything can happen so dumb

That's exactly right they weren't just some team that got lucky they were still a team full of seasoned veteran players

[ScotchMIrish]

We averaged 5,917 more fans per game this season. After the 1985 debacle they didn't make the postseason for 29 years. Won a WS in 2015 and within 3 season lost 104 games. Took them 9 seasons after the WS to post a winning record.

We have to get rid of the mentality of 5 games over .500 at the all star break is an automatic sell off like we did this season.

This team isn't as good as KC right now. And probably not next year if they stay the course to a full rebuild aiming at 2027. But there is a difference between STL and KC. Once STL has a functioning farm system again and that investment produces results then they should have the fan base and larger TV revenues to allow them to spend more than KC.

The rational fans on this forum understand what has to happen to see a team challenge for a WS title again. We can not compete with the big market teams spending money. No chance of having a payroll remotely close to LAD or NYY. We have to have a better farm system producing results AND spend what we do have the right way.

When the farm starts sending quality talent up it will be time to spend again. I believe if they market appropriately this team has the fan/market base to allow them to spend near $200mil on major league salaries. I don't KNOW this but gut tells me the size and history of baseball in STL should generate revenues supporting that. So in 2027 when we have shaken out a few higher end controlled talents then it will be time to supplement with free agents.

Bummer some here want instant gratification. Can't help them cause they won't get it even if STL spent like they want. The core is lacking.

That's the new reality. The new tv deal isn't helping promote the team as much as the previous one - that's another factor in revenue.

[ecleme22]

“We have to get rid of the mentality of 5 games over .500 at the all star break is an automatic sell off like we did this season.”

That’s not a “mentality.” It’s something that just happened last year.

And it proved to be a (bleep) good idea.

[ScotchMIrish]

“We have to get rid of the mentality of 5 games over .500 at the all star break is an automatic sell off like we did this season.”

That’s not a “mentality.” It’s something that just happened last year.

And it proved to be a (drat) good idea.

Perhaps since apparently no starting pitching was available but Ramon Laureano would have looked good in a Cardinals uniform if we could have acquired him without giving too much.

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

We averaged 5,917 more fans per game this season. After the 1985 debacle they didn't make the postseason for 29 years. Won a WS in 2015 and within 3 season lost 104 games. Took them 9 seasons after the WS to post a winning record.

We have to get rid of the mentality of 5 games over .500 at the all star break is an automatic sell off like we did this season.

I’m assuming you didn’t see many games. This team was poorly designed. Now that Johnnie Moe Moe is gohn time to retool and actually build a roster that makes sense.

I am hoping this is what happens

[ecleme22]

“We have to get rid of the mentality of 5 games over .500 at the all star break is an automatic sell off like we did this season.”

That’s not a “mentality.” It’s something that just happened last year.

And it proved to be a (drat) good idea.

Perhaps since apparently no starting pitching was available but Ramon Laureano would have looked good in a Cardinals uniform if we could have acquired him without giving too much.

Oh god, you have no clue.

[mattmitchl44]

The Cardinals ONLY path back to being a consistently successful organization is to get (back) to having a Top 5 farm system in terms of delivering young, cost controlled players to the ML team. They are, at least, working their way in that direction.

They have to get better about identifying, obtaining, and developing players for the ML team.

And obtaining such players mostly comes down to:

(1) drafting better (and drafting higher over the short term gives you an opportunity to draft better)
(2) better international scouting and signing, and
(3) trading away veteran players in seasons when you aren't ready to "win now" for prospects you want from other teams.

If you fail to do (3), you don't profit from it, and you may end up being a better version of mediocre where you win a few more meaningless games and compromise (1) as well.