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Re: $ to apend
Posted: 12 Nov 2025 16:54 pm
by Cardinals4Life
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:25 pm
Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:59 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat.
If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
10,000%. Absolutely ZERO reason payroll shouldn't be back to 180M. None.
It was $178 in 2022. 4 years later at rate of other teams increase it should be $200m plus. That still wouldn’t get them back to top11 like 2006 and 2011
Thanks for sharing that.
Agreed. Not only should it be at 180M, but higher, like you say, to keep up with annual increases.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 12 Nov 2025 16:55 pm
by brock118
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:47 pm
brock118 wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:43 pm
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:45 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
You're in for a long, cold winter brother.
Agreed they are looking to shred as much payroll as possible, part of the reason for hiring Bloom. He knows how it is to deal with a low payroll. They won't up the payroll until they have a better tv contract and know about the CBA in 2027. We are looking at a $80-90 million payroll next year I believe.
Then the rebuild is at least 5 years. The next 3 FA classes have no elite players in them. It’s now or its going to be a AAA team for a very long time
Unfortunately. I think they have done the math and if they haven't good lord what a bad organization. They predict how much attendance will be with lower paid guys and the amount of payroll to find the point of profit they want.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 12 Nov 2025 17:01 pm
by Youboughtit
brock118 wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:55 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:47 pm
brock118 wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:43 pm
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:45 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
You're in for a long, cold winter brother.
Agreed they are looking to shred as much payroll as possible, part of the reason for hiring Bloom. He knows how it is to deal with a low payroll. They won't up the payroll until they have a better tv contract and know about the CBA in 2027. We are looking at a $80-90 million payroll next year I believe.
Then the rebuild is at least 5 years. The next 3 FA classes have no elite players in them. It’s now or its going to be a AAA team for a very long time
Unfortunately. I think they have done the math and if they haven't good lord what a bad organization. They predict how much attendance will be with lower paid guys and the amount of payroll to find the point of profit they want.
It’s been well established using Forbes estimates even and profit the more the owner spends the more profit is made. Fans and attendance will not return until several years of high spending. In 2022 payroll was $178m and for best had Cardinals at $42m profit. Last year payroll was $132m and profit was $2m. cardinals are also near the bottom in revenue % spent on payroll. The owner killed the market and is not making an offer excuse instead of investing to build it back
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 12 Nov 2025 17:08 pm
by JuanAgosto
45s wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:06 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:55 pm
BrockFloodMaris wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:51 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
Have you seen or read any of the dozens of articles, press releases and interviews with Cards front office over the past six months? If you have, then you’ll know that the Cards are in the middle of investing in their minor league development system. Signing high end free agents to long term contracts is not part of their plan.
No MLB team operates that way to take $100m from payroll to invest $5m in minor leauge coaches. That is a lie. Fans were told to expect payroll to stay the same and increase slightly. So removing more means it will be reinvested. Otherwise owner can expect less than 1m fans next year
Friendly wager?
They won’t reinvest in free agents ……and they draw more than 1m
Some would have to be invested in starting pitching. BDW would then claim the rest was going into pay hikes and deferred contracts (as if that wasn't already budgeted.

). In reality, it will be used to pay for the new minor league instructors and upgraded tech. Ol Billy isn't spending additional $ on that. The payroll reduction goes towards those costs.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 12 Nov 2025 22:48 pm
by zuck698
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 17:01 pm
brock118 wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:55 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:47 pm
brock118 wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:43 pm
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:45 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
You're in for a long, cold winter brother.
Agreed they are looking to shred as much payroll as possible, part of the reason for hiring Bloom. He knows how it is to deal with a low payroll. They won't up the payroll until they have a better tv contract and know about the CBA in 2027. We are looking at a $80-90 million payroll next year I believe.
Then the rebuild is at least 5 years. The next 3 FA classes have no elite players in them. It’s now or its going to be a AAA team for a very long time
Unfortunately. I think they have done the math and if they haven't good lord what a bad organization. They predict how much attendance will be with lower paid guys and the amount of payroll to find the point of profit they want.
It’s been well established using Forbes estimates even and profit the more the owner spends the more profit is made. Fans and attendance will not return until several years of high spending. In 2022 payroll was $178m and for best had Cardinals at $42m profit. Last year payroll was $132m and profit was $2m. cardinals are also near the bottom in revenue % spent on payroll. The owner killed the market and is not making an offer excuse instead of investing to build it back
Exactly Youbougtit. What business has a operational strategy of investing less profit revenue back into the business, with the idea that it will increase revenue. It is so counterintuitive to any real business strategy that I have ever been exposed to. You have to spend to win. Yes, spend wisely, unlike Mo, but nevertheless spend!
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 12 Nov 2025 22:50 pm
by Youboughtit
zuck698 wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 22:48 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 17:01 pm
brock118 wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:55 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:47 pm
brock118 wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:43 pm
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:45 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
You're in for a long, cold winter brother.
Agreed they are looking to shred as much payroll as possible, part of the reason for hiring Bloom. He knows how it is to deal with a low payroll. They won't up the payroll until they have a better tv contract and know about the CBA in 2027. We are looking at a $80-90 million payroll next year I believe.
Then the rebuild is at least 5 years. The next 3 FA classes have no elite players in them. It’s now or its going to be a AAA team for a very long time
Unfortunately. I think they have done the math and if they haven't good lord what a bad organization. They predict how much attendance will be with lower paid guys and the amount of payroll to find the point of profit they want.
It’s been well established using Forbes estimates even and profit the more the owner spends the more profit is made. Fans and attendance will not return until several years of high spending. In 2022 payroll was $178m and for best had Cardinals at $42m profit. Last year payroll was $132m and profit was $2m. cardinals are also near the bottom in revenue % spent on payroll. The owner killed the market and is not making an offer excuse instead of investing to build it back
Exactly Youbougtit. What business has a operational strategy of investing less profit revenue back into the business, with the idea that it will increase revenue. It is so counterintuitive to any real business strategy that I have ever been exposed to. You have to spend to win. Yes, spend wisely, unlike Mo, but nevertheless spend!
The method now will cause appreciation of the franchise to slow stop and possibly reverse.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 12 Nov 2025 23:02 pm
by greyhawk
I believe this team will be willing to pay anyone who will take a 1 yr fair market deal --- this ownership will want nothing on the books or at least as little as possible in 2027. It becomes interesting once there is a new labor agreement in place to see how competitive they will decide to be.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 12 Nov 2025 23:31 pm
by Ozziesfan41
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:47 pm
brock118 wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 16:43 pm
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:45 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
You're in for a long, cold winter brother.
Agreed they are looking to shred as much payroll as possible, part of the reason for hiring Bloom. He knows how it is to deal with a low payroll. They won't up the payroll until they have a better tv contract and know about the CBA in 2027. We are looking at a $80-90 million payroll next year I believe.
Then the rebuild is at least 5 years. The next 3 FA classes have no elite players in them. It’s now or its going to be a AAA team for a very long time
Then it will be a AAA for a long time
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 13 Nov 2025 03:51 am
by sikeston bulldog2
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
What you’re doing is a good math problem. Problem is, simple math has no place in big business.
It’s all high end futures. Formulas. Algorithms.
Math affect to big business is like salt on French fries- very little.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 13 Nov 2025 05:51 am
by clemonsonroots
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:45 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
You're in for a long, cold winter brother.
more like a long cold future
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 13 Nov 2025 06:35 am
by sikeston bulldog2
clemonsonroots wrote: ↑13 Nov 2025 05:51 am
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:45 pm
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
You're in for a long, cold winter brother.
more like a long cold future
And Steve miller said- in the winter time, when all the leaves are brown, and the wind blows. And the birds. Have all flown. For the summer.
Hear me callin.
In the winter time.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 13 Nov 2025 07:25 am
by ScotchMIrish
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
Combined they make $67 million in 2026. Who knows what will happen but I think they will clear less than your estimate.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 13 Nov 2025 08:43 am
by Youboughtit
ScotchMIrish wrote: ↑13 Nov 2025 07:25 am
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
Combined they make $67 million in 2026. Who knows what will happen but I think they will clear less than your estimate.
Gray and Nado have $57m combined. I think clearing $40m and eating $17m sounds fair.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 13 Nov 2025 08:54 am
by rockondlouie
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
I'd assume BDWJr eats:
-$20-25M of NADO's deal for a couple of lotto tickets
-$15-20M of S. Gray's for a solid return
(WIllyC stays)
That should save him that $40+M you mentioned.
I could see BDWJr giving a portion of that to add player salary either via trades or thru FA.
I'm expecting a $110-125M payroll in 2026.
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 13 Nov 2025 09:08 am
by Youboughtit
rockondlouie wrote: ↑13 Nov 2025 08:54 am
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
I'd assume BDWJr eats:
-$20-25M of NADO's deal for a couple of lotto tickets
-$15-20M of S. Gray's for a solid return
(WIllyC stays)
That should save him that $40+M you mentioned.
I could see BDWJr giving a portion of that to add player salary either via trades or thru FA.
I'm expecting a $110-125M payroll in 2026.
It’s currently at $75m obligated before arb and that’s with NA and Gray being takking $57m of that. So it $40m is taken away that is $35m in contracts before arb. No reason one elite superstar could not be added for fans to be excited about
Re: $ to apend
Posted: 13 Nov 2025 09:30 am
by 45s
Youboughtit wrote: ↑13 Nov 2025 09:08 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑13 Nov 2025 08:54 am
Youboughtit wrote: ↑12 Nov 2025 15:39 pm
So if the Cardinals are able to trade Gray and Arenado they should have cleared $40-$50m from payroll depending on how much they eat. If they don’t reinvest that plus some of the $50m they removed last year into the payroll ownership is giving the middle finger to the fans. With all this youth the need for elite superstar high end talent to make fans want to buy tickets should be the number 1 priority. I am thinking Murakami and Valdez would be my targets.
I'd assume BDWJr eats:
-$20-25M of NADO's deal for a couple of lotto tickets
-$15-20M of S. Gray's for a solid return
(WIllyC stays)
That should save him that $40+M you mentioned.
I could see BDWJr giving a portion of that to add player salary either via trades or thru FA.
I'm expecting a $110-125M payroll in 2026.
It’s currently at $75m obligated before arb and that’s with NA and Gray being takking $57m of that. So it $40m is taken away that is $35m in contracts before arb. No reason one elite superstar could not be added for fans to be excited about
let is know when there is an elite superstar ...who could sign anywhere......who would come to stl....
a small market club in disarray and in the initial stages of a rebuild......