STLtoday.com

Melville wrote: ↑17 May 2025 09:12 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑17 May 2025 04:27 am How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Gosh, something of an honor to be the only person with a shout out in your thread title.
But, it is never about me.
Only and always about the game.
Not everyone got it wrong.
In fact, I have been correct.
I said the team would likely win around 78 games - but could surprise if a couple of players exceeded expectations and could have a winning record (there were a few others who said the same).
Let's break it down.
I said the rotation was good enough to compete - and it has been.
Virtually everyone said it was a mistake to hang onto Fedde and Helsley - whereas I alone said it would be foolish to trade either one until seeing where the team stood in July.
I have warned several times not to be surprised to see Mo hang onto some of the pending FA's the entire year and instead settle for comp draft picks.
Correct on each point.
Many questioned the infield - particularly moving Contreras to 1B.
I said Contreras would be fine at 1b and was the established leader of the team (sure enough, as goes Contreras, so goes the team).
I said the infield, with so much depth and options, was a strength and was plenty good enough for a competitive team.
Right about both.
Folks said Pages was not a MLB player.
I said he was the team's best catcher and would again take over the primary starting role because the pitching staff wanted and trusted him.
Also said Herrera would not improve enough defensively and said his only path to being an MLB regular would be based on his bat - and that he must add power.
Which is exactly what has happened - albeit in a small sample size.
I was right.
Concerning the outfield, I said it would be a major weakness unless a couple of players emerged to exceed expectations.
Thank goodness Scott has emerged as a budding star (astute readers will recall there should NOT be a ST competition for CF) and the middling Mootbaar has (so far) stayed out of the emergency room.
I said I was more concerned with Walker than any other of the young players - and he has indeed struggled.
Now, what else?
Oh yes.
Since refusing to report to Houston, N/A has remained with STL and as a result the opportunities for Gorman have been too limited to draw any conclusions.
Still, N/A's attitude seems to be recovering from the previous toxic culture - and that has certainly been evident in his efforts on defense in particular (the bat is better than last year but will never be what it once was).
As for The Marmol being a good manager - he's not.
Happy to take any questions you or others may have.

Web7 wrote: ↑17 May 2025 08:06 am We have not played a single game against the NL west ….. the best division in baseball… there is still a long way to go

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 May 2025 10:28 am

Melville wrote: ↑17 May 2025 09:12 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑17 May 2025 04:27 am How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Gosh, something of an honor to be the only person with a shout out in your thread title.
But, it is never about me.
Only and always about the game.
Not everyone got it wrong.
In fact, I have been correct.
I said the team would likely win around 78 games - but could surprise if a couple of players exceeded expectations and could have a winning record (there were a few others who said the same).
Let's break it down.
I said the rotation was good enough to compete - and it has been.
Virtually everyone said it was a mistake to hang onto Fedde and Helsley - whereas I alone said it would be foolish to trade either one until seeing where the team stood in July.
I have warned several times not to be surprised to see Mo hang onto some of the pending FA's the entire year and instead settle for comp draft picks.
Correct on each point.
Many questioned the infield - particularly moving Contreras to 1B.
I said Contreras would be fine at 1b and was the established leader of the team (sure enough, as goes Contreras, so goes the team).
I said the infield, with so much depth and options, was a strength and was plenty good enough for a competitive team.
Right about both.
Folks said Pages was not a MLB player.
I said he was the team's best catcher and would again take over the primary starting role because the pitching staff wanted and trusted him.
Also said Herrera would not improve enough defensively and said his only path to being an MLB regular would be based on his bat - and that he must add power.
Which is exactly what has happened - albeit in a small sample size.
I was right.
Concerning the outfield, I said it would be a major weakness unless a couple of players emerged to exceed expectations.
Thank goodness Scott has emerged as a budding star (astute readers will recall there should NOT be a ST competition for CF) and the middling Mootbaar has (so far) stayed out of the emergency room.
I said I was more concerned with Walker than any other of the young players - and he has indeed struggled.
Now, what else?
Oh yes.
Since refusing to report to Houston, N/A has remained with STL and as a result the opportunities for Gorman have been too limited to draw any conclusions.
Still, N/A's attitude seems to be recovering from the previous toxic culture - and that has certainly been evident in his efforts on defense in particular (the bat is better than last year but will never be what it once was).
As for The Marmol being a good manager - he's not.
Happy to take any questions you or others may have.

Nominee for [nonsense] post of the year. Provide evidence that you stated all of this. You can't!

Cranny wrote: ↑17 May 2025 08:49 am

stormtime wrote: ↑17 May 2025 08:41 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑17 May 2025 04:27 am How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Everyone is shocked, to be sure. That said, while it is an amazing run, they haven't done anything yet. This team could easily lapse and this could be their high water mark. They easily could not be a playoff team, or perhaps even worse, barely sneak in and lose 2-3 and be at home......all the while missing a gold mine for Helsley, and smaller pots of silver for Fedde, Matz and maybe Nolan.

The gold mine and pots of silver may already be here with all of our younger players.

riff raff wrote: ↑17 May 2025 12:02 pm

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 May 2025 10:28 am

Melville wrote: ↑17 May 2025 09:12 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑17 May 2025 04:27 am How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Gosh, something of an honor to be the only person with a shout out in your thread title.
But, it is never about me.
Only and always about the game.
Not everyone got it wrong.
In fact, I have been correct.
I said the team would likely win around 78 games - but could surprise if a couple of players exceeded expectations and could have a winning record (there were a few others who said the same).
Let's break it down.
I said the rotation was good enough to compete - and it has been.
Virtually everyone said it was a mistake to hang onto Fedde and Helsley - whereas I alone said it would be foolish to trade either one until seeing where the team stood in July.
I have warned several times not to be surprised to see Mo hang onto some of the pending FA's the entire year and instead settle for comp draft picks.
Correct on each point.
Many questioned the infield - particularly moving Contreras to 1B.
I said Contreras would be fine at 1b and was the established leader of the team (sure enough, as goes Contreras, so goes the team).
I said the infield, with so much depth and options, was a strength and was plenty good enough for a competitive team.
Right about both.
Folks said Pages was not a MLB player.
I said he was the team's best catcher and would again take over the primary starting role because the pitching staff wanted and trusted him.
Also said Herrera would not improve enough defensively and said his only path to being an MLB regular would be based on his bat - and that he must add power.
Which is exactly what has happened - albeit in a small sample size.
I was right.
Concerning the outfield, I said it would be a major weakness unless a couple of players emerged to exceed expectations.
Thank goodness Scott has emerged as a budding star (astute readers will recall there should NOT be a ST competition for CF) and the middling Mootbaar has (so far) stayed out of the emergency room.
I said I was more concerned with Walker than any other of the young players - and he has indeed struggled.
Now, what else?
Oh yes.
Since refusing to report to Houston, N/A has remained with STL and as a result the opportunities for Gorman have been too limited to draw any conclusions.
Still, N/A's attitude seems to be recovering from the previous toxic culture - and that has certainly been evident in his efforts on defense in particular (the bat is better than last year but will never be what it once was).
As for The Marmol being a good manager - he's not.
Happy to take any questions you or others may have.

Nominee for [nonsense] post of the year. Provide evidence that you stated all of this. You can't!

I find it amazing that someone, anyone would read all that. I'm sure it was very inciteful.
I have dooshville on a 3-sentence limit for the most part. If he goes over, I generally just skip past him.

Voldemort wrote: ↑17 May 2025 10:28 am

Melville wrote: ↑17 May 2025 09:12 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑17 May 2025 04:27 am How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Gosh, something of an honor to be the only person with a shout out in your thread title.
But, it is never about me.
Only and always about the game.
Not everyone got it wrong.
In fact, I have been correct.
I said the team would likely win around 78 games - but could surprise if a couple of players exceeded expectations and could have a winning record (there were a few others who said the same).
Let's break it down.
I said the rotation was good enough to compete - and it has been.
Virtually everyone said it was a mistake to hang onto Fedde and Helsley - whereas I alone said it would be foolish to trade either one until seeing where the team stood in July.
I have warned several times not to be surprised to see Mo hang onto some of the pending FA's the entire year and instead settle for comp draft picks.
Correct on each point.
Many questioned the infield - particularly moving Contreras to 1B.
I said Contreras would be fine at 1b and was the established leader of the team (sure enough, as goes Contreras, so goes the team).
I said the infield, with so much depth and options, was a strength and was plenty good enough for a competitive team.
Right about both.
Folks said Pages was not a MLB player.
I said he was the team's best catcher and would again take over the primary starting role because the pitching staff wanted and trusted him.
Also said Herrera would not improve enough defensively and said his only path to being an MLB regular would be based on his bat - and that he must add power.
Which is exactly what has happened - albeit in a small sample size.
I was right.
Concerning the outfield, I said it would be a major weakness unless a couple of players emerged to exceed expectations.
Thank goodness Scott has emerged as a budding star (astute readers will recall there should NOT be a ST competition for CF) and the middling Mootbaar has (so far) stayed out of the emergency room.
I said I was more concerned with Walker than any other of the young players - and he has indeed struggled.
Now, what else?
Oh yes.
Since refusing to report to Houston, N/A has remained with STL and as a result the opportunities for Gorman have been too limited to draw any conclusions.
Still, N/A's attitude seems to be recovering from the previous toxic culture - and that has certainly been evident in his efforts on defense in particular (the bat is better than last year but will never be what it once was).
As for The Marmol being a good manager - he's not.
Happy to take any questions you or others may have.

Nominee for [nonsense] post of the year. Provide evidence that you stated all of this. You can't!

Bully4you wrote: ↑17 May 2025 04:27 am How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

CCard wrote: ↑17 May 2025 12:54 pm I'm happy to admit (up to this point) that I was wrong about this team. Then again, a great stretch of 15 games doesn't make a season. Right now they're firing on all cylinders and I hope that continues. To expect them to continue at this pace is reality though. I just hope it's close to reality. I still don't trust Mikolas.

stormtime wrote: ↑17 May 2025 08:41 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑17 May 2025 04:27 am How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Everyone is shocked, to be sure. That said, while it is an amazing run, they haven't done anything yet. This team could easily lapse and this could be their high water mark. They easily could not be a playoff team, or perhaps even worse, barely sneak in and lose 2-3 and be at home......all the while missing a gold mine for Helsley, and smaller pots of silver for Fedde, Matz and maybe Nolan.

Melville wrote: ↑17 May 2025 13:18 pm

CCard wrote: ↑17 May 2025 12:54 pm I'm happy to admit (up to this point) that I was wrong about this team. Then again, a great stretch of 15 games doesn't make a season. Right now they're firing on all cylinders and I hope that continues. To expect them to continue at this pace is reality though. I just hope it's close to reality. I still don't trust Mikolas.

Agree concerning Mikolas.
He is the weakest link in the rotation and those of us who called for McGreevy, not Mikolas, to have the spot, were probably correct.
Mikolas does not K many hitters, but unlike Pallante he cannot rely on inducing ground balls to compensate.
A lot of hard contact getting caught in the outfield - and that is not sustainable.
Regardless of what standings may look like in July, Super Slo Mo should not miss an opportunity to move him.

Melville wrote: ↑17 May 2025 13:22 pm

stormtime wrote: ↑17 May 2025 08:41 am

Bully4you wrote: ↑17 May 2025 04:27 am How did we all get it so wrong?
Is Marmol actually a baseball genius?
Not one person or pundit predicted this.
Including me. I have to admit that.
But I am happy to have been wrong.
Others not so much.
They'd rather be correct and have the team suffer.
WOW
GO CARDS GO!!!

MARMOL 2026 and beyond!!!

Everyone is shocked, to be sure. That said, while it is an amazing run, they haven't done anything yet. This team could easily lapse and this could be their high water mark. They easily could not be a playoff team, or perhaps even worse, barely sneak in and lose 2-3 and be at home......all the while missing a gold mine for Helsley, and smaller pots of silver for Fedde, Matz and maybe Nolan.

Agree that it still makes sense to move N/A, Mikolas, and Matz.
Have said all along there should be no hurry to move Fedde and Helsley until July - and both should be kept if STL is within 5 of the division lead the week before the deadline.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑17 May 2025 13:23 pm

Melville wrote: ↑17 May 2025 13:18 pm

CCard wrote: ↑17 May 2025 12:54 pm I'm happy to admit (up to this point) that I was wrong about this team. Then again, a great stretch of 15 games doesn't make a season. Right now they're firing on all cylinders and I hope that continues. To expect them to continue at this pace is reality though. I just hope it's close to reality. I still don't trust Mikolas.

Agree concerning Mikolas.
He is the weakest link in the rotation and those of us who called for McGreevy, not Mikolas, to have the spot, were probably correct.
Mikolas does not K many hitters, but unlike Pallante he cannot rely on inducing ground balls to compensate.
A lot of hard contact getting caught in the outfield - and that is not sustainable.
Regardless of what standings may look like in July, Super Slo Mo should not miss an opportunity to move him.

Mik is a strike thrower. Either they barrel him or they don’t. Doesn’t usually walk many but has walked eight in four of last five games while averaging 5 IP. That means almost two runners per inning by walks. Then combined with his hittability, the recipe is for 5 run games.