Anyone else catch this line from J. Denton column?

[JohnnyMO]

I've said for a long time that the Cardinals have a good shot at being able to compete for championships as early as 2027. They've already been stocking the farm and seeing which players are legit big leaguers. They have 2026 to continue to draft, develop, and to see which guys are going to step up. Then once the new CBA is in place they will have plenty of money to bolster the roster as needed. Of course there are variables, but right now they are set up to be good sooner than a lot of people think. It's not going to be 2026, though.

[Cardinals4Life]

About new Cardinals starter R. Fitts:

“When I (Fitts) talked to [president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom] it was about wanting success for many years, and I want to be a part of that. It was awesome to hear where [the Cardinals] are at -- this isn’t the start of any kind of rebuild or anything; it was, ‘we feel we’re close to being ready to complete and we want you to be a part of that.’”

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/rich ... -cardinals

100% saw that. Hoping that means we will be looking to add talent that is big league ready or already has some big league experience and not trying to get a bunch of guys eho are in A ball.

MattMitch will not want to hear this.

[Hoosier59]

Chaim has never called it a rebuild. The media, especially Bernie, has.
I think we will compete this year. He’s clearing the roster but he’s got a plan and will have money to spend.

I've been in agreement w/you FS.

Once the dust settles and all the trades are completed I think the franchise will be in a much better place and (IMO) the 2026 squad will be better than the 2025 team by anywhere from 5 - 10 games!

Lotta deadweight is gone (Mikolas/Fedde soon NADO too?) and while we'll likely lose a good player in Donny, they'll add possibly an even better player in JJW!

From the same article:

“Sometimes the long term might conflict with the short term … and when those things run in opposite directions, we’re going to choose the long term because that’s where this organization needs to be,” Bloom said. “We’re trying to get back to a certain place and stay there. History has shown the way the Cardinals have always done that is with their young, talented core.”

The important thing is Bloom won't lose sight of the L-T plan even if he still wants to compete in 2026, that's rock solid.

Bloom cuts salary, it’s what he did in Boston.
The Cardinals lost their TV contract (50 million a year) and dropped a million in attendance…..News flash, the Cardinals will not spend money for 2-3 years …….especially not before a labor agreement is put into place.

The Cardinals are at least 3-5 years away from being competitive again, much less contenders.

The gist of my post was if everything goes as planned, they’ll be pretty good. Does anyone really expect everything to go as planned.
It might take awhile to get all of those kinks ironed out! I don’t expect them to finish too many games below .500, but they certainly could. Especially if the pitching doesn’t pan out.

[Carp4Cy]

Chaim has never called it a rebuild. The media, especially Bernie, has.
I think we will compete this year. He’s clearing the roster but he’s got a plan and will have money to spend.

I've been in agreement w/you FS.

Once the dust settles and all the trades are completed I think the franchise will be in a much better place and (IMO) the 2026 squad will be better than the 2025 team by anywhere from 5 - 10 games!

Lotta deadweight is gone (Mikolas/Fedde soon NADO too?) and while we'll likely lose a good player in Donny, they'll add possibly an even better player in JJW!

From the same article:

“Sometimes the long term might conflict with the short term … and when those things run in opposite directions, we’re going to choose the long term because that’s where this organization needs to be,” Bloom said. “We’re trying to get back to a certain place and stay there. History has shown the way the Cardinals have always done that is with their young, talented core.”

The important thing is Bloom won't lose sight of the L-T plan even if he still wants to compete in 2026, that's rock solid.

Bloom cuts salary, it’s what he did in Boston.
The Cardinals lost their TV contract (50 million a year) and dropped a million in attendance…..News flash, the Cardinals will not spend money for 2-3 years …….especially not before a labor agreement is put into place.

The Cardinals are at least 3-5 years away from being competitive again, much less contenders.

That's not acceptable. If the Cards aren't competitive for another 3-5 years, Bloom will find himself fired, or more likely quit and find a better franchise.

[mattmitchl44]

About new Cardinals starter R. Fitts:

“When I (Fitts) talked to [president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom] it was about wanting success for many years, and I want to be a part of that. It was awesome to hear where [the Cardinals] are at -- this isn’t the start of any kind of rebuild or anything; it was, ‘we feel we’re close to being ready to complete and we want you to be a part of that.’”

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/rich ... -cardinals

100% saw that. Hoping that means we will be looking to add talent that is big league ready or already has some big league experience and not trying to get a bunch of guys eho are in A ball.

MattMitch will not want to hear this.

I've consistently said they should be targeting AA or AAA prospects who are ML ready or close to it. Don't know where you are creating this A ball strawman from.

But yes they should be able to get guys with higher ceilings, which they need, if they are less "ML proven."

[Cardinals4Life]

About new Cardinals starter R. Fitts:

“When I (Fitts) talked to [president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom] it was about wanting success for many years, and I want to be a part of that. It was awesome to hear where [the Cardinals] are at -- this isn’t the start of any kind of rebuild or anything; it was, ‘we feel we’re close to being ready to complete and we want you to be a part of that.’”

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/rich ... -cardinals

100% saw that. Hoping that means we will be looking to add talent that is big league ready or already has some big league experience and not trying to get a bunch of guys eho are in A ball.

MattMitch will not want to hear this.

I've consistently said they should be targeting AA or AAA prospects who are ML ready or close to it. Don't know where you are creating this A ball strawman from.

But yes they should be able to get guys with higher ceilings, which they need, if they are less "ML proven."

You don't want guys who might have 5 years of control because we might not be ready to win yet. You say this all the time. Your Brandon Clarke's are so far away they may never even make The Show.

[rockondlouie]

Chaim has never called it a rebuild. The media, especially Bernie, has.
I think we will compete this year. He’s clearing the roster but he’s got a plan and will have money to spend.

I've been in agreement w/you FS.

Once the dust settles and all the trades are completed I think the franchise will be in a much better place and (IMO) the 2026 squad will be better than the 2025 team by anywhere from 5 - 10 games!

Lotta deadweight is gone (Mikolas/Fedde soon NADO too?) and while we'll likely lose a good player in Donny, they'll add possibly an even better player in JJW!

From the same article:

“Sometimes the long term might conflict with the short term … and when those things run in opposite directions, we’re going to choose the long term because that’s where this organization needs to be,” Bloom said. “We’re trying to get back to a certain place and stay there. History has shown the way the Cardinals have always done that is with their young, talented core.”

The important thing is Bloom won't lose sight of the L-T plan even if he still wants to compete in 2026, that's rock solid.

I read it as - we're not going to make any decisions now to "compete" in 2026 that could compromise our ability to compete later. If a decision works for both, fine. If not, they take the path that supports the long term rebuild.

Of course you did matt, no surprise to any of us you'd read it to fit your view.

Bloom said. “Our goal is to field a team every year that can compete for this division and for a World Series championship.”

[rockondlouie]

Chaim has never called it a rebuild. The media, especially Bernie, has.
I think we will compete this year. He’s clearing the roster but he’s got a plan and will have money to spend.

I've been in agreement w/you FS.

Once the dust settles and all the trades are completed I think the franchise will be in a much better place and (IMO) the 2026 squad will be better than the 2025 team by anywhere from 5 - 10 games!

Lotta deadweight is gone (Mikolas/Fedde soon NADO too?) and while we'll likely lose a good player in Donny, they'll add possibly an even better player in JJW!

From the same article:

“Sometimes the long term might conflict with the short term … and when those things run in opposite directions, we’re going to choose the long term because that’s where this organization needs to be,” Bloom said. “We’re trying to get back to a certain place and stay there. History has shown the way the Cardinals have always done that is with their young, talented core.”

The important thing is Bloom won't lose sight of the L-T plan even if he still wants to compete in 2026, that's rock solid.

Bloom cuts salary, it’s what he did in Boston.
The Cardinals lost their TV contract (50 million a year) and dropped a million in attendance…..News flash, the Cardinals will not spend money for 2-3 years …….especially not before a labor agreement is put into place.

The Cardinals are at least 3-5 years away from being competitive again, much less contenders.

Actually cutting salary is what RED SOX OWNERSHIP did in Boston, not Bloom.

And I agree bubbles, Dewitt won't spend any "real' money until 1) the new CBA is in place and 2) attendance picks up

[rockondlouie]

About new Cardinals starter R. Fitts:

“When I (Fitts) talked to [president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom] it was about wanting success for many years, and I want to be a part of that. It was awesome to hear where [the Cardinals] are at -- this isn’t the start of any kind of rebuild or anything; it was, ‘we feel we’re close to being ready to complete and we want you to be a part of that.’”

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/rich ... -cardinals

100% saw that. Hoping that means we will be looking to add talent that is big league ready or already has some big league experience and not trying to get a bunch of guys eho are in A ball.

MattMitch will not want to hear this.

And on cue C4L matt did indeed not like it and he saw it as a fit for his lose 90-100 games for years agenda.

Bloom said. “Our goal is to field a team every year that can compete for this division and for a World Series championship.”

https://www.mlb.com/news/chaim-bloom-in ... operations

[Bubble4427]

Chaim has never called it a rebuild. The media, especially Bernie, has.
I think we will compete this year. He’s clearing the roster but he’s got a plan and will have money to spend.

I've been in agreement w/you FS.

Once the dust settles and all the trades are completed I think the franchise will be in a much better place and (IMO) the 2026 squad will be better than the 2025 team by anywhere from 5 - 10 games!

Lotta deadweight is gone (Mikolas/Fedde soon NADO too?) and while we'll likely lose a good player in Donny, they'll add possibly an even better player in JJW!

From the same article:

“Sometimes the long term might conflict with the short term … and when those things run in opposite directions, we’re going to choose the long term because that’s where this organization needs to be,” Bloom said. “We’re trying to get back to a certain place and stay there. History has shown the way the Cardinals have always done that is with their young, talented core.”

The important thing is Bloom won't lose sight of the L-T plan even if he still wants to compete in 2026, that's rock solid.

Bloom cuts salary, it’s what he did in Boston.
The Cardinals lost their TV contract (50 million a year) and dropped a million in attendance…..News flash, the Cardinals will not spend money for 2-3 years …….especially not before a labor agreement is put into place.

The Cardinals are at least 3-5 years away from being competitive again, much less contenders.

The gist of my post was if everything goes as planned, they’ll be pretty good. Does anyone really expect everything to go as planned.
It might take awhile to get all of those kinks ironed out! I don’t expect them to finish too many games below .500, but they certainly could. Especially if the pitching doesn’t pan out.

Agreed.

[Bubble4427]

Chaim has never called it a rebuild. The media, especially Bernie, has.
I think we will compete this year. He’s clearing the roster but he’s got a plan and will have money to spend.

I've been in agreement w/you FS.

Once the dust settles and all the trades are completed I think the franchise will be in a much better place and (IMO) the 2026 squad will be better than the 2025 team by anywhere from 5 - 10 games!

Lotta deadweight is gone (Mikolas/Fedde soon NADO too?) and while we'll likely lose a good player in Donny, they'll add possibly an even better player in JJW!

From the same article:

“Sometimes the long term might conflict with the short term … and when those things run in opposite directions, we’re going to choose the long term because that’s where this organization needs to be,” Bloom said. “We’re trying to get back to a certain place and stay there. History has shown the way the Cardinals have always done that is with their young, talented core.”

The important thing is Bloom won't lose sight of the L-T plan even if he still wants to compete in 2026, that's rock solid.

Bloom cuts salary, it’s what he did in Boston.
The Cardinals lost their TV contract (50 million a year) and dropped a million in attendance…..News flash, the Cardinals will not spend money for 2-3 years …….especially not before a labor agreement is put into place.

The Cardinals are at least 3-5 years away from being competitive again, much less contenders.

That's not acceptable. If the Cards aren't competitive for another 3-5 years, Bloom will find himself fired, or more likely quit and find a better franchise.

I would tend to agree….but he is doing what the OWNER wants. The best way to get competitive again is if the Dewitt’s sold the team. Mo really screwed this team over, but if you don’t think he was given a firm budget number by BDW to operate under, well….you’re kidding yourself. 3-5 years plus a new labor agreement is what it’s going to take to make the Cardinals contenders again. Baseball is broken.

[Melville]

About new Cardinals starter R. Fitts:

“When I (Fitts) talked to [president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom] it was about wanting success for many years, and I want to be a part of that. It was awesome to hear where [the Cardinals] are at -- this isn’t the start of any kind of rebuild or anything; it was, ‘we feel we’re close to being ready to complete and we want you to be a part of that.’”

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/rich ... -cardinals

It simply means that Bloom understands and agrees with what I have been telling everyone here for several months.
The team can and should compete for a W/C spot in 2026 with 3 or 4 easily accomplished moves - while still building a foundation to achieve 90+ wins regularly in the seasons which follow.
It really is not difficult.
I am glad Bloom appears to understand this as well as I do.

[ICCFIM2]

Competing in 2026 will be determined by how does McGreevey proceed? Fitts? Will Liberatore become a competent 180+ innings pitcher? Will Quinn Mathews bounce back after a down 2025? Who will finish out the rotation after all the trades are made, and will a Veteran arm be added to the mix via free agentcy? Will Pallante be the 2024 version, or the 2025?
Will Gorman, and/or Walker figure things out? What kind of rookie season will Wetherholt have? Will Burleson, and Herrera continue to impress? Will Winn be better offensively after getting his knee repaired. Will Crooks be the run producer he has been in the minors?
Finally, will the bullpen be as good as last year? Who are the lefties going to be? Closer?
If all of those things end up positively, then the Cardinals should be quite competitive in 2026.

Your view here is similar to mine. The Cards have too many ifs for anyone to say that they have a real shot at competing in 2026. If a lot of those ifs are answered positively, it could be a pleasantly surprising year. We will need to see what other trades Bloom makes. He will also have some money to add some certainty to the team via free agency.

I am not that high on Crooks. I think Bernal will be the real catcher of the future since he is supposed to be our best defensive catcher and hits decently as well.

In my view our hope for 2026 is that Wetherholdt becomes a tent pole #2 hitter, Burleson and Herrera continue to develop and can become good 3 and 4 hitters. Then we need 1 of Gorman or Walker to emerge as 800+OPS hitters. That would at least give us a core of hitters to work with. V Scott needs to be a 325 OBP guy and continue as a GG CF. Hopefully Winn can be a 725-750 OPS guy as well and hold for entire season. If all those things happen, it is a good starting 8 that is still missing a few pieces, but a fun core to watch grow. SP, at least we have some guys coming up that could be good. We will see.

[mattmitchl44]

About new Cardinals starter R. Fitts:

“When I (Fitts) talked to [president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom] it was about wanting success for many years, and I want to be a part of that. It was awesome to hear where [the Cardinals] are at -- this isn’t the start of any kind of rebuild or anything; it was, ‘we feel we’re close to being ready to complete and we want you to be a part of that.’”

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/rich ... -cardinals

100% saw that. Hoping that means we will be looking to add talent that is big league ready or already has some big league experience and not trying to get a bunch of guys eho are in A ball.

MattMitch will not want to hear this.

I've consistently said they should be targeting AA or AAA prospects who are ML ready or close to it. Don't know where you are creating this A ball strawman from.

But yes they should be able to get guys with higher ceilings, which they need, if they are less "ML proven."

You don't want guys who might have 5 years of control because we might not be ready to win yet. You say this all the time. Your Brandon Clarke's are so far away they may never even make The Show.

There is nothing wrong with getting a guy with five years of team control. But if you have reduced the uncertainty in what they can/ will develop into - if you have made their floor more certain - you are not going to get as high of a potential ceiling for what you have to give up.

Donovan could bring you a high floor/medium ceiling guy like a Cameron, or you could prefer to get a prospect with a lower floor (more uncertainty) because they are just ML ready but haven't played in the majors yet, but who has a higher ceiling.

[mattmitchl44]

About new Cardinals starter R. Fitts:

“When I (Fitts) talked to [president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom] it was about wanting success for many years, and I want to be a part of that. It was awesome to hear where [the Cardinals] are at -- this isn’t the start of any kind of rebuild or anything; it was, ‘we feel we’re close to being ready to complete and we want you to be a part of that.’”

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/rich ... -cardinals

100% saw that. Hoping that means we will be looking to add talent that is big league ready or already has some big league experience and not trying to get a bunch of guys eho are in A ball.

MattMitch will not want to hear this.

And on cue C4L matt did indeed not like it and he saw it as a fit for his lose 90-100 games for years agenda.

Bloom said. “Our goal is to field a team every year that can compete for this division and for a World Series championship.”

https://www.mlb.com/news/chaim-bloom-in ... operations

Bloom's quote said he recognizes that what is better for the short term might conflict with what is better for the long term, and when it does they are going to prioritize the long term.

[CorneliusWolfe]

About new Cardinals starter R. Fitts:

“When I (Fitts) talked to [president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom] it was about wanting success for many years, and I want to be a part of that. It was awesome to hear where [the Cardinals] are at -- this isn’t the start of any kind of rebuild or anything; it was, ‘we feel we’re close to being ready to complete and we want you to be a part of that.’”

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/rich ... -cardinals

100% saw that. Hoping that means we will be looking to add talent that is big league ready or already has some big league experience and not trying to get a bunch of guys eho are in A ball.

MattMitch will not want to hear this.

I've consistently said they should be targeting AA or AAA prospects who are ML ready or close to it. Don't know where you are creating this A ball strawman from.

But yes they should be able to get guys with higher ceilings, which they need, if they are less "ML proven."

You don't want guys who might have 5 years of control because we might not be ready to win yet. You say this all the time. Your Brandon Clarke's are so far away they may never even make The Show.

There is nothing wrong with getting a guy with five years of team control. But if you have reduced the uncertainty in what they can/ will develop into - if you have made their floor more certain - you are not going to get as high of a potential ceiling for what you have to give up.

Donovan could bring you a high floor/medium ceiling guy like a Cameron, or you could prefer to get a prospect with a lower floor (more uncertainty) because they are just ML ready but haven't played in the majors yet, but who has a higher ceiling.

You know what is really uncertain? Projected floors and ceilings for prospects.