Not excited about spring training

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Melville
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Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by Melville »

11WSChamps wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:23 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:19 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
The Cardinals have enough talent on the roster to produce a winning record.
Whether there is enough intelligence among the manager and staff to get them there in another question entirely.
No they don't.
I teach success for a living.
My analysis is always built on a bias free analysis of what is attainable and what is not.
I am paid to help leaders and organizations understand how to set and achieve performance goals.
Baseball is no different.
This roster can achieve a winning record.
Can leadership get them there?
THAT, not the roster, is the applicable question.
OldRed
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Posts: 3419
Joined: 23 May 2024 15:53 pm

Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by OldRed »

Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:28 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:21 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:19 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
The Cardinals have enough talent on the roster to produce a winning record.
Whether there is enough intelligence among the manager and staff to get them there in another question entirely.
Where is the talent? Start with the pitching and then go to the lineup and their bench.
The starting staff is better and deeper than opening day a year ago.
The projected starting infield has a high ceiling, will be better than last year, and can be one of the best in the NL.
The BP should be as good as last year - though it is not as deep and injuries could be a problem in that regard.
The outfield - as I alone have analyzed and explained with perfection each of the past 10+ years - is unquestionably a looming disaster and was inexcusably made worse by the Donovan trade and it is imperative that Bloom make an addition before opening day (unless the team gets a shocking breakout from an unexpected source).
Bottom line.
Contender?
No.
Capable of playing above .500?
Yes.
In fact, if The Marmot does not have the team above .500 at the 60 game mark, he should be fired.
LOL! Like your predictions of players in the past you will learn, hopefully if you keep watching and listening.
sikeston bulldog2
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Posts: 15444
Joined: 11 Aug 2023 16:20 pm

Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by sikeston bulldog2 »

Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:28 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:21 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:19 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
The Cardinals have enough talent on the roster to produce a winning record.
Whether there is enough intelligence among the manager and staff to get them there in another question entirely.
Where is the talent? Start with the pitching and then go to the lineup and their bench.
The starting staff is better and deeper than opening day a year ago.
The projected starting infield has a high ceiling, will be better than last year, and can be one of the best in the NL.
The BP should be as good as last year - though it is not as deep and injuries could be a problem in that regard.
The outfield - as I alone have analyzed and explained with perfection each of the past 10+ years - is unquestionably a looming disaster and was inexcusably made worse by the Donovan trade and it is imperative that Bloom make an addition before opening day (unless the team gets a shocking breakout from an unexpected source).
Bottom line.
Contender?
No.
Capable of playing above .500?
Yes.
In fact, if The Marmot does not have the team above .500 at the 60 game mark, he should be fired.
I’ll start by saying again, if done my way, the infield Can be near league best on both defense and offense, a rare collaboration.

Two- above .500 at 60 are the results of a fresh team. I ask you. If they are above at 60, but below at 160, same fate.
Last edited by sikeston bulldog2 on 11 Feb 2026 08:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
OldRed
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Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by OldRed »

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:31 am How did someone make it through the '70s and '90s? Good Lord, it's been 30 years since we've had a rebuild. Get a grip.

Most of you hated Mo forever, well, now we have a replacement. Can't you at least get excited about that? All the mediocre veterans that we signed to extensions are gone that a lot of people could not stand and now we're giving it over to young players. Does that not do anything for you?

I mean, hate what you hate and like what you like, but do it with some dignity.
Don't lecture me on dignity. I had season tickets in the 70's, at least they had a team that wanted to win, they just didn't have the talent, but they were fun to watch. I can't get excited about what they will be putting on the field this year. Hopefully, I'm wrong and can again enjoy Cardinal baseball. It would be wonderful to see a few of the younger players have a terrific year.
ecleme22
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Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by ecleme22 »

OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
I’m very excited about ST.

Bloom has done exactly what he wanted to do in the offseason. Now it’s a clean slate with one of the best farm talent in baseball.
11WSChamps
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Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by 11WSChamps »

Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:32 am
11WSChamps wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:23 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:19 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
The Cardinals have enough talent on the roster to produce a winning record.
Whether there is enough intelligence among the manager and staff to get them there in another question entirely.
No they don't.
I teach success for a living.
My analysis is always built on a bias free analysis of what is attainable and what is not.
I am paid to help leaders and organizations understand how to set and achieve performance goals.
Baseball is no different.
This roster can achieve a winning record.
Can leadership get them there?
THAT, not the roster, is the applicable question.
I notice you always leave yourself an out.

Uh its the same group leading in the dugout this season minus Gray, Contreras and Donovan.

There's no thoroughbred in the corral.

72-90.
Melville
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Posts: 5629
Joined: 23 May 2024 16:16 pm

Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by Melville »

OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:32 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:28 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:21 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:19 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
The Cardinals have enough talent on the roster to produce a winning record.
Whether there is enough intelligence among the manager and staff to get them there in another question entirely.
Where is the talent? Start with the pitching and then go to the lineup and their bench.
The starting staff is better and deeper than opening day a year ago.
The projected starting infield has a high ceiling, will be better than last year, and can be one of the best in the NL.
The BP should be as good as last year - though it is not as deep and injuries could be a problem in that regard.
The outfield - as I alone have analyzed and explained with perfection each of the past 10+ years - is unquestionably a looming disaster and was inexcusably made worse by the Donovan trade and it is imperative that Bloom make an addition before opening day (unless the team gets a shocking breakout from an unexpected source).
Bottom line.
Contender?
No.
Capable of playing above .500?
Yes.
In fact, if The Marmot does not have the team above .500 at the 60 game mark, he should be fired.
LOL! Like your predictions of players in the past you will learn, hopefully if you keep watching and listening.
My record of analyzing Cardinals players is far better than anyone associated with the organization - or outside of the organization - over the past 10+ years.
My record is not perfect (no one is) - but my accuracy rate is well above 95%.
This team has enough at catcher, infield, starting rotation, and bullpen to win more games than they lose - even with a subpar outfield.
The pertinent question is whether they have competent leadership to get them there.
That is the bias free, agenda free reality of the situation.
sikeston bulldog2
Forum User
Posts: 15444
Joined: 11 Aug 2023 16:20 pm

Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by sikeston bulldog2 »

OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:36 am
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:31 am How did someone make it through the '70s and '90s? Good Lord, it's been 30 years since we've had a rebuild. Get a grip.

Most of you hated Mo forever, well, now we have a replacement. Can't you at least get excited about that? All the mediocre veterans that we signed to extensions are gone that a lot of people could not stand and now we're giving it over to young players. Does that not do anything for you?

I mean, hate what you hate and like what you like, but do it with some dignity.
Don't lecture me on dignity. I had season tickets in the 70's, at least they had a team that wanted to win, they just didn't have the talent, but they were fun to watch. I can't get excited about what they will be putting on the field this year. Hopefully, I'm wrong and can again enjoy Cardinal baseball. It would be wonderful to see a few of the younger players have a terrific year.
“To see a few younger players have terrific years “ is all the hope we all have. That’s the point of optimism.
jcgmoi
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Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by jcgmoi »

First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
Why don't you pull the bed covers up over your head for a few months until you're less tiresome? Take a flashlight and read some of what Bart Giamatti thought about the game: https://mason.gmu.edu/~rmatz/giamatti.html
Melville
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Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by Melville »

11WSChamps wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:37 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:32 am
11WSChamps wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:23 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:19 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
The Cardinals have enough talent on the roster to produce a winning record.
Whether there is enough intelligence among the manager and staff to get them there in another question entirely.
No they don't.
I teach success for a living.
My analysis is always built on a bias free analysis of what is attainable and what is not.
I am paid to help leaders and organizations understand how to set and achieve performance goals.
Baseball is no different.
This roster can achieve a winning record.
Can leadership get them there?
THAT, not the roster, is the applicable question.
I notice you always leave yourself an out.

Uh its the same group leading in the dugout this season minus Gray, Contreras and Donovan.

There's no thoroughbred in the corral.

72-90.
I never "leave myself an out".
This team has enough talent to produce a winning record.
Period.
If it fails to do so, it will be due to debilitating injuries (unlikely) or an incompetent manager and staff.
Unequivocally correct.
OldRed
Forum User
Posts: 3419
Joined: 23 May 2024 15:53 pm

Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by OldRed »

Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:38 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:32 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:28 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:21 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:19 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
The Cardinals have enough talent on the roster to produce a winning record.
Whether there is enough intelligence among the manager and staff to get them there in another question entirely.
Where is the talent? Start with the pitching and then go to the lineup and their bench.
The starting staff is better and deeper than opening day a year ago.
The projected starting infield has a high ceiling, will be better than last year, and can be one of the best in the NL.
The BP should be as good as last year - though it is not as deep and injuries could be a problem in that regard.
The outfield - as I alone have analyzed and explained with perfection each of the past 10+ years - is unquestionably a looming disaster and was inexcusably made worse by the Donovan trade and it is imperative that Bloom make an addition before opening day (unless the team gets a shocking breakout from an unexpected source).
Bottom line.
Contender?
No.
Capable of playing above .500?
Yes.
In fact, if The Marmot does not have the team above .500 at the 60 game mark, he should be fired.
LOL! Like your predictions of players in the past you will learn, hopefully if you keep watching and listening.
My record of analyzing Cardinals players is far better than anyone associated with the organization - or outside of the organization - over the past 10+ years.
My record is not perfect (no one is) - but my accuracy rate is well above 95%.
This team has enough at catcher, infield, starting rotation, and bullpen to win more games than they lose - even with a subpar outfield.
The pertinent question is whether they have competent leadership to get them there.
That is the bias free, agenda free reality of the situation.
You are a legend in your own mind.
Swuhgen
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Posts: 2415
Joined: 21 Aug 2019 09:33 am

Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by Swuhgen »

OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
This is as excited as I have been for Spring Training in years.
Jatalk
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Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by Jatalk »

OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
I feel your pain but cheer up. Baseball is starting. We will have new topics to complain about on CT and who knows they might surprise us.
OldRed
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Posts: 3419
Joined: 23 May 2024 15:53 pm

Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by OldRed »

Swuhgen wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:46 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
This is as excited as I have been for Spring Training in years.
Good for you. I've gone to spring training; this would not be a year I would want to go. We will see if they have any sell outs in Jupiter this year.
11WSChamps
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Joined: 23 May 2024 13:35 pm

Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by 11WSChamps »

Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:42 am
11WSChamps wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:37 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:32 am
11WSChamps wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:23 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:19 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
The Cardinals have enough talent on the roster to produce a winning record.
Whether there is enough intelligence among the manager and staff to get them there in another question entirely.
No they don't.
I teach success for a living.
My analysis is always built on a bias free analysis of what is attainable and what is not.
I am paid to help leaders and organizations understand how to set and achieve performance goals.
Baseball is no different.
This roster can achieve a winning record.
Can leadership get them there?
THAT, not the roster, is the applicable question.
I notice you always leave yourself an out.

Uh its the same group leading in the dugout this season minus Gray, Contreras and Donovan.

There's no thoroughbred in the corral.

72-90.
I never "leave myself an out".
This team has enough talent to produce a winning record.
Period.
If it fails to do so, it will be due to debilitating injuries (unlikely) or an incompetent manager and staff.
Unequivocally correct.
I got you pegged bud.

There's always a caveat.

How is the same incompetent manager and staff from last season going to all of a sudden become baseball savants?
sikeston bulldog2
Forum User
Posts: 15444
Joined: 11 Aug 2023 16:20 pm

Re: Not excited about spring training

Post by sikeston bulldog2 »

11WSChamps wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:49 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:42 am
11WSChamps wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:37 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:32 am
11WSChamps wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:23 am
Melville wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:19 am
OldRed wrote: 11 Feb 2026 08:02 am First time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
The Cardinals have enough talent on the roster to produce a winning record.
Whether there is enough intelligence among the manager and staff to get them there in another question entirely.
No they don't.
I teach success for a living.
My analysis is always built on a bias free analysis of what is attainable and what is not.
I am paid to help leaders and organizations understand how to set and achieve performance goals.
Baseball is no different.
This roster can achieve a winning record.
Can leadership get them there?
THAT, not the roster, is the applicable question.
I notice you always leave yourself an out.

Uh its the same group leading in the dugout this season minus Gray, Contreras and Donovan.

There's no thoroughbred in the corral.

72-90.
I never "leave myself an out".
This team has enough talent to produce a winning record.
Period.
If it fails to do so, it will be due to debilitating injuries (unlikely) or an incompetent manager and staff.
Unequivocally correct.
I got you pegged bud.

There's always a caveat.

How is the same incompetent manager and staff from last season going to all of a sudden become baseball savants?
How? Well if there was any truth to the thought that the former GM dictates lineups, then there may be a way forward there.
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