Cardinals rebuilding efforts "failed miserably": CNN

[82birds]

Early 2026 Performance: The team has surged to a winning percentage that puts them on a strong postseason pace, easily exceeding preseason projections.

Roster Impact: Young players and rookies have become focal points, with players like Jordan Walker playing like an MVP candidate and rookie JJ Wetherholt stepping up into major roles.

Strategic Outlook: Under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom and manager Oliver Marmol, the 2026 team relies on elite defense, great pitching, and small ball instead of just waiting for the three-run homer.

Trade Deadline: Because the team is performing so well, there are internal debates about whether they should push for a deep postseason run or stick to the original plan of acquiring future assets, though the early success has fueled fan hope.

Thanks that’s interesting they are having internal debates I wonder who is for pushing for a deep post season run and who wants to stick to the original plan. I am 100% certain bloom would want to stick to the original plan

If the cards are in it and say Romero and May are pitching very well and teams come calling....there is no doubt they are gone if bloom can aquire something he things helps long term...same thing with noot...if healthy and playing well he's gone...

agree Bushiro

[Hoosier59]

My Son and I were talking about this very thing. He commented that Bloom came originally from Tampa Bay. How many times have you ever seen The Rays add at the trade deadline? They don’t! They either play with what they have, or sell off expiring contracts to acquire younger talent. How many times have they reached the World Series, let alone win one? Hopefully this isn’t Bloom’s idea of how to run a team, but so far it’s looking like a carbon copy!

[mattmitchl44]

Early 2026 Performance: The team has surged to a winning percentage that puts them on a strong postseason pace, easily exceeding preseason projections.

Roster Impact: Young players and rookies have become focal points, with players like Jordan Walker playing like an MVP candidate and rookie JJ Wetherholt stepping up into major roles.

Strategic Outlook: Under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom and manager Oliver Marmol, the 2026 team relies on elite defense, great pitching, and small ball instead of just waiting for the three-run homer.

Trade Deadline: Because the team is performing so well, there are internal debates about whether they should push for a deep postseason run or stick to the original plan of acquiring future assets, though the early success has fueled fan hope.

Thanks that’s interesting they are having internal debates I wonder who is for pushing for a deep post season run and who wants to stick to the original plan. I am 100% certain bloom would want to stick to the original plan

I'm with Bloom. This team, as great as they've played, is not ready for a deep playoff run.

Stick with the plan. If these kids are still playing like this at the deadline, try to add a part or two that don't cost anything but money.

Agreed. The hitting is encouraging but the pitching isn't quite ready for primetime.

I still expect the pitching to get exposed somewhat over the next two months. I expect the Phillies and maybe the Pirates to pass the Cardinals in the WC standings. Maybe nobody else, however, unless the Mets go on a run.

So the Cardinals may be hanging around three or so games out of the last WC position when the trading deadline comes. At most I'd expect them to be "holders" - maybe not trading May, O'Brien, etc. - but not "buyers" at that point.

If May is pitching really well, they could hold on to him, have him decline the mutual option, and then offer him a QO to at least get something for him if he signs elsewhere.

[mattmitchl44]

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/487 ... -white-sox

Cardinals

Verdict: Not Real

Despite the positives, it's hard to reconcile a team with the lowest strikeout rate as a playoff contender. Here are the playoff teams from the past four seasons who ranked in the bottom 10 in pitcher strikeout rate:

2025: Cubs (21st)
2024: None
2023: Rangers (21st), Diamondbacks (22nd)
2022: Cardinals (28th)

That's four out of 40 -- although only the 2022 Cardinals were near the bottom of the league. That team also benefitted from two 100-loss teams in the division in the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates (the Cardinals went 25-13 against them) and a strong offense with MVP Paul Goldschmidt and MVP candidate Nolan Arenado. This year's NL Central, meanwhile, looks like the best division in the majors.

Of course, like the Rays, the Cardinals' hot start is in the books. They've beaten the Dodgers and Rays in a series, split a two-game series with the Brewers and swept the Pirates in a four-game series, so they've played well against good teams. They haven't played the Cubs yet (and don't face them at all in September). The Cardinals certainly look better than the 70-92 preseason forecast, but the 10-3 record in one-run games and 6-1 in extra innings will be difficult to sustain.

[StlMike1969]

Pitching is always the name of the game. I do not see Bloom dealing anyone that is not a FA or due an enormous raise in ARB at end of season from the pitching ranks not named Romero. I do see him moving some guys like Pages, Pozo, Nootbar maybe even Gorman for more pitching. As others have posted this team is not built for a deep playoff run. Some playoff games are going to happen, and that is great for the team. However the lockout of 27 looms large and until that is over the this team is not committing to any long term deals. Nor is Bloom going to auction off key pieces to facilitate another game or two run into the playoffs this year. If anything he is going to stand pat or clear the way for up and comers in AAA. A lot of those moves can be done in house.

[An Old Friend]

Wasn’t a rebuild to begin with. The intent was always to reset payroll and operate under a small market model, and to be competitive while doing so.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Wasn’t a rebuild to begin with. The intent was always to reset payroll and operate under a small market model, and to be competitive while doing so.

If it was to reset payroll and implement a smaller model, I’d think that has happened. Both.

As for competition. If you are saying being competitive to the point of post season, I’d disagree. I don’t think that was top priority.

If you say have a .500 record and play good baseball, I’d agree wholeheartedly.

Nice write.

[rockondlouie]

I'm with Bloom. This team, as great as they've played, is not ready for a deep playoff run.

Stick with the plan. If these kids are still playing like this at the deadline, try to add a part or two that don't cost anything but money.

^^^THIS^^^

Some players will (likely) still be dealt and should be if they're NOT part of the L-T plan (re: D. May, JoJo, Noot, Stanek if anyone wants him).

C. Bloom may even get an offer he can't refuse for R. O'Brien, it could easily happen.

But no way he will deal any prospects he deems have a future here in St. Louis (re: L-T plan).

But I could see him dealing those that don't for a bullpen piece or two.

[OldRed]

7. St. Louis Cardinals (27-19)

Previous Rank: No. 8
Last Week: 2-1 @ ATH, 2-1 vs. KC

The Cardinals rebuilding efforts have failed miserably, as they have gone straight from selling off several veteran pieces to contending, skipping the whole struggle through several years of bad baseball part. With a 15-7 record against teams with a winning record and a 10-3 record in one-run games, it's hard to poke holes in their unexpected start.

And just think the entire starting lineup is made up of players Mo drafted and signed.

[Bushiro]

My Son and I were talking about this very thing. He commented that Bloom came originally from Tampa Bay. How many times have you ever seen The Rays add at the trade deadline? They don’t! They either play with what they have, or sell off expiring contracts to acquire younger talent. How many times have they reached the World Series, let alone win one? Hopefully this isn’t Bloom’s idea of how to run a team, but so far it’s looking like a carbon copy!

Without a doubt....however the only difference would be payroll...if the birds can start to consistently win and get fans back in the seats...then bloom should have some payroll to add to the youth that they didn't quite have there

[Ozziesfan41]

My Son and I were talking about this very thing. He commented that Bloom came originally from Tampa Bay. How many times have you ever seen The Rays add at the trade deadline? They don’t! They either play with what they have, or sell off expiring contracts to acquire younger talent. How many times have they reached the World Series, let alone win one? Hopefully this isn’t Bloom’s idea of how to run a team, but so far it’s looking like a carbon copy!

Without a doubt....however the only difference would be payroll...if the birds can start to consistently win and get fans back in the seats...then bloom should have some payroll to add to the youth that they didn't quite have there

+1 not only that but the line up next year is looking good JJ herrera burly walker with Baez hopefully making the team out of spring training sending church to center then Rodriguez starting at Memphis most likely then coming up later in the season that will be a nightmare lineup for pitchers especially if bloom can trade for a third base prospect or sign a third baseman who can actually hit decently. That line up would grind pitchers down. they could then spend money on pitchers

[DwaininAztec]

They can’t even get their rebuild right

LOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOL

[Konstantinov]

Dewitt/Mo started the rebuild in 2023, just didn't tell anybody.