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I teach success for a living.11WSChamps wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:23 amNo they don't.
LOL! Like your predictions of players in the past you will learn, hopefully if you keep watching and listening.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:28 amThe starting staff is better and deeper than opening day a year ago.OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:21 amWhere is the talent? Start with the pitching and then go to the lineup and their bench.
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.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:28 amThe starting staff is better and deeper than opening day a year ago.OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:21 amWhere is the talent? Start with the pitching and then go to the lineup and their bench.
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.
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.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.
I’m very excited about ST.
I notice you always leave yourself an out.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:32 amI teach success for a living.11WSChamps wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:23 amNo they don't.
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.
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.OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:32 amLOL! Like your predictions of players in the past you will learn, hopefully if you keep watching and listening.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:28 amThe starting staff is better and deeper than opening day a year ago.OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:21 amWhere is the talent? Start with the pitching and then go to the lineup and their bench.
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.
“To see a few younger players have terrific years “ is all the hope we all have. That’s the point of optimism.OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:36 amDon'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.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.
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.htmlFirst time in 70+ years I am not excited about spring training or the start of the season. Baseball Heaven has gone to Hell.
I never "leave myself an out".11WSChamps wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:37 amI notice you always leave yourself an out.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:32 amI teach success for a living.11WSChamps wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:23 amNo they don't.
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.
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.
You are a legend in your own mind.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:38 amMy record of analyzing Cardinals players is far better than anyone associated with the organization - or outside of the organization - over the past 10+ years.OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:32 amLOL! Like your predictions of players in the past you will learn, hopefully if you keep watching and listening.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:28 amThe starting staff is better and deeper than opening day a year ago.OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:21 amWhere is the talent? Start with the pitching and then go to the lineup and their bench.
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.
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.
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.
I got you pegged bud.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:42 amI never "leave myself an out".11WSChamps wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:37 amI notice you always leave yourself an out.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:32 amI teach success for a living.11WSChamps wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:23 amNo they don't.
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.
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.
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.
How? Well if there was any truth to the thought that the former GM dictates lineups, then there may be a way forward there.11WSChamps wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:49 amI got you pegged bud.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:42 amI never "leave myself an out".11WSChamps wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:37 amI notice you always leave yourself an out.Melville wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:32 amI teach success for a living.11WSChamps wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:23 amNo they don't.
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.
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.
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.
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?