Cardinals Spending in 2030 - A poll

[Youboughtit]

Which of these choices best describes where you think the Cardinals' spending on the ML payroll will be in 2030:

1) They'll be spending like the Dodgers (maybe because you think the team will have been sold to another Steve Cohen?)!

2) They'll be spending well over $200 million and have a payroll in the Top 10 in MLB (10th in 2025 was $210 million).

3) They'll be back to spending consistent with their historical highs (~$180 million) wherever that ranks them.

4) Due to revenue issues, they'll be spending a bit less than their historical highs (e.g., ~$140-$150 million).

5) They'll be spending down with the small market teams (like the Guardians or less).

FWIW - I'll take #3.

The plan will depend on how well the farm is producing. If they are consistently churning out enough talent to compete, the only spending will be occasional arbitration raises and they won’t extend/keep anyone. So basically option 5.

If the farm is proving more supplemental-level talent but not enough to compete for a wildcard then I think they land somewhere between 3 and 4.

I think the latter scenario is more realistic as the former would require dominating the draft and development aspect, and while I think Bloom will be good, I doubt he will be THAT good.

All things considered, I still think the plan is to build for a wildcard berth/compete for a division title, despite the PR talk. We switched POBOs, not ownership, and BDW likely still believes the playoffs are a crapshoot, unless you spend crazily. And he’s probably right.

By 2030 any high performers must be extended. That will increase salaries as well. That includes Doyle Winn Wetherholt and many others.

[dugoutrex]

150ish

[ScotchMIrish]

With this tv deal and mediocre attendance how can they spend at a high level?

BDW gets a loan, spends on some stars and winning, and FANS return. Fans aren’t returning to watch a AAA club

We were 5 games over .500 at the all star break and attendance wasn't good. The tv deal is a big factor. People no longer get the games on their basic cable or satellite package and aren't paying $20 a month and as a result have lost interest.

A new tv deal is needed. DeWitt Jr and/or DeWitt III aren't going to take out a loan.

[CorneliusWolfe]

Which of these choices best describes where you think the Cardinals' spending on the ML payroll will be in 2030:

1) They'll be spending like the Dodgers (maybe because you think the team will have been sold to another Steve Cohen?)!

2) They'll be spending well over $200 million and have a payroll in the Top 10 in MLB (10th in 2025 was $210 million).

3) They'll be back to spending consistent with their historical highs (~$180 million) wherever that ranks them.

4) Due to revenue issues, they'll be spending a bit less than their historical highs (e.g., ~$140-$150 million).

5) They'll be spending down with the small market teams (like the Guardians or less).

FWIW - I'll take #3.

The plan will depend on how well the farm is producing. If they are consistently churning out enough talent to compete, the only spending will be occasional arbitration raises and they won’t extend/keep anyone. So basically option 5.

If the farm is proving more supplemental-level talent but not enough to compete for a wildcard then I think they land somewhere between 3 and 4.

I think the latter scenario is more realistic as the former would require dominating the draft and development aspect, and while I think Bloom will be good, I doubt he will be THAT good.

All things considered, I still think the plan is to build for a wildcard berth/compete for a division title, despite the PR talk. We switched POBOs, not ownership, and BDW likely still believes the playoffs are a crapshoot, unless you spend crazily. And he’s probably right.

By 2030 any high performers must be extended. That will increase salaries as well. That includes Doyle Winn Wetherholt and many others.

They should be, but if they have what they deem suitable replacements knocking on the door, my guess is they let the vets walk instead of trading the surplus prospect assets. I think ownership’s primary goal is to compete, but as cheap as possible.

[Cardinals1964]

With this tv deal and mediocre attendance how can they spend at a high level?

Cardinals are valued at $2.5 billion.
Dewitt paid $150 million.
He could use some of that money to improve the product.
You don’t open a restaurant and serve terrible food and tell the customers you’ll serve better food if they buy more of your garbage food.

[Goldfan]

With this tv deal and mediocre attendance how can they spend at a high level?

BDW gets a loan, spends on some stars and winning, and FANS return. Fans aren’t returning to watch a AAA club

We were 5 games over .500 at the all star break and attendance wasn't good. The tv deal is a big factor. People no longer get the games on their basic cable or satellite package and aren't paying $20 a month and as a result have lost interest.

A new tv deal is needed. DeWitt Jr and/or DeWitt III aren't going to take out a loan.

People have (upset) at MO and wanted him gone. Secondly they’ve been (upset) at BDW for keeping him and not spending. But mostly sick of MO being utterly clueless. So they stayed home. Basically same story from every Cards Fan I know and people I just run in to. And unfortunately it will take STARS and dominant fun winning to get Butts back in seats. The low talent OLI run team…..5games over .500 at Allstar break ain’t gonna cut it. Giant hole BDW has dug……and he’s still screwing up keeping Oli

[ScotchMIrish]

With this tv deal and mediocre attendance how can they spend at a high level?

BDW gets a loan, spends on some stars and winning, and FANS return. Fans aren’t returning to watch a AAA club

We were 5 games over .500 at the all star break and attendance wasn't good. The tv deal is a big factor. People no longer get the games on their basic cable or satellite package and aren't paying $20 a month and as a result have lost interest.

A new tv deal is needed. DeWitt Jr and/or DeWitt III aren't going to take out a loan.

People have (upset) at MO and wanted him gone. Secondly they’ve been (upset) at BDW for keeping him and not spending. But mostly sick of MO being utterly clueless. So they stayed home. Basically same story from every Cards Fan I know and people I just run in to. And unfortunately it will take STARS and dominant fun winning to get Butts back in seats. The low talent OLI run team…..5games over .500 at Allstar break ain’t gonna cut it. Giant hole BDW has dug……and he’s still screwing up keeping Oli

I agree with a lot of that but 5 games over .500 is a winning team and the fans weren't showing up.

[Youboughtit]

Which of these choices best describes where you think the Cardinals' spending on the ML payroll will be in 2030:

1) They'll be spending like the Dodgers (maybe because you think the team will have been sold to another Steve Cohen?)!

2) They'll be spending well over $200 million and have a payroll in the Top 10 in MLB (10th in 2025 was $210 million).

3) They'll be back to spending consistent with their historical highs (~$180 million) wherever that ranks them.

4) Due to revenue issues, they'll be spending a bit less than their historical highs (e.g., ~$140-$150 million).

5) They'll be spending down with the small market teams (like the Guardians or less).

FWIW - I'll take #3.

The plan will depend on how well the farm is producing. If they are consistently churning out enough talent to compete, the only spending will be occasional arbitration raises and they won’t extend/keep anyone. So basically option 5.

If the farm is proving more supplemental-level talent but not enough to compete for a wildcard then I think they land somewhere between 3 and 4.

I think the latter scenario is more realistic as the former would require dominating the draft and development aspect, and while I think Bloom will be good, I doubt he will be THAT good.

All things considered, I still think the plan is to build for a wildcard berth/compete for a division title, despite the PR talk. We switched POBOs, not ownership, and BDW likely still believes the playoffs are a crapshoot, unless you spend crazily. And he’s probably right.

By 2030 any high performers must be extended. That will increase salaries as well. That includes Doyle Winn Wetherholt and many others.

They should be, but if they have what they deem suitable replacements knocking on the door, my guess is they let the vets walk instead of trading the surplus prospect assets. I think ownership’s primary goal is to compete, but as cheap as possible.

Compete for what? That is my question. No one cares about the NLC or wildcard so if that’s the plan then sell the team because fans don’t care about that. If it is to win a WS then that formula is failed and impossible. Draft and develop may win a division but not a WS without a top 10 payroll. See Rampa and Milwaukee as proof. Both #1 farm systems that didn’t have a chance in playoffs

[CorneliusWolfe]

Which of these choices best describes where you think the Cardinals' spending on the ML payroll will be in 2030:

1) They'll be spending like the Dodgers (maybe because you think the team will have been sold to another Steve Cohen?)!

2) They'll be spending well over $200 million and have a payroll in the Top 10 in MLB (10th in 2025 was $210 million).

3) They'll be back to spending consistent with their historical highs (~$180 million) wherever that ranks them.

4) Due to revenue issues, they'll be spending a bit less than their historical highs (e.g., ~$140-$150 million).

5) They'll be spending down with the small market teams (like the Guardians or less).

FWIW - I'll take #3.

The plan will depend on how well the farm is producing. If they are consistently churning out enough talent to compete, the only spending will be occasional arbitration raises and they won’t extend/keep anyone. So basically option 5.

If the farm is proving more supplemental-level talent but not enough to compete for a wildcard then I think they land somewhere between 3 and 4.

I think the latter scenario is more realistic as the former would require dominating the draft and development aspect, and while I think Bloom will be good, I doubt he will be THAT good.

All things considered, I still think the plan is to build for a wildcard berth/compete for a division title, despite the PR talk. We switched POBOs, not ownership, and BDW likely still believes the playoffs are a crapshoot, unless you spend crazily. And he’s probably right.

By 2030 any high performers must be extended. That will increase salaries as well. That includes Doyle Winn Wetherholt and many others.

They should be, but if they have what they deem suitable replacements knocking on the door, my guess is they let the vets walk instead of trading the surplus prospect assets. I think ownership’s primary goal is to compete, but as cheap as possible.

Compete for what? That is my question. No one cares about the NLC or wildcard so if that’s the plan then sell the team because fans don’t care about that. If it is to win a WS then that formula is failed and impossible. Draft and develop may win a division but not a WS without a top 10 payroll. See Rampa and Milwaukee as proof. Both #1 farm systems that didn’t have a chance in playoffs

I completely agree, but ownership believed firmly for years that you compete for the playoffs and then it is just a crapshoot. I doubt that has changed much just because they swapped out an executive.

The only difference now is they aren’t publicly stating it because it’s bad PR, so they say publicly state the goal is to win the WS. But the philosophy and strategy could end up being more of the same as before. Just silently veiled behind the hopes they can do it on the cheap through the farm, but do it right this time. Which as you correctly stated, won’t be enough. I hope I’m wrong but ever since TLR left, so did the true commitment to winning and all that comes with it. They’re selling hope in kids now.

[Cardinals1964]

Which of these choices best describes where you think the Cardinals' spending on the ML payroll will be in 2030:

1) They'll be spending like the Dodgers (maybe because you think the team will have been sold to another Steve Cohen?)!

2) They'll be spending well over $200 million and have a payroll in the Top 10 in MLB (10th in 2025 was $210 million).

3) They'll be back to spending consistent with their historical highs (~$180 million) wherever that ranks them.

4) Due to revenue issues, they'll be spending a bit less than their historical highs (e.g., ~$140-$150 million).

5) They'll be spending down with the small market teams (like the Guardians or less).

FWIW - I'll take #3.

The plan will depend on how well the farm is producing. If they are consistently churning out enough talent to compete, the only spending will be occasional arbitration raises and they won’t extend/keep anyone. So basically option 5.

If the farm is proving more supplemental-level talent but not enough to compete for a wildcard then I think they land somewhere between 3 and 4.

I think the latter scenario is more realistic as the former would require dominating the draft and development aspect, and while I think Bloom will be good, I doubt he will be THAT good.

All things considered, I still think the plan is to build for a wildcard berth/compete for a division title, despite the PR talk. We switched POBOs, not ownership, and BDW likely still believes the playoffs are a crapshoot, unless you spend crazily. And he’s probably right.

By 2030 any high performers must be extended. That will increase salaries as well. That includes Doyle Winn Wetherholt and many others.

They should be, but if they have what they deem suitable replacements knocking on the door, my guess is they let the vets walk instead of trading the surplus prospect assets. I think ownership’s primary goal is to compete, but as cheap as possible.

Compete for what? That is my question. No one cares about the NLC or wildcard so if that’s the plan then sell the team because fans don’t care about that. If it is to win a WS then that formula is failed and impossible. Draft and develop may win a division but not a WS without a top 10 payroll. See Rampa and Milwaukee as proof. Both #1 farm systems that didn’t have a chance in playoffs

I care about winning the NLC.

[mattmitchl44]

Compete for what? That is my question. No one cares about the NLC or wildcard so if that’s the plan then sell the team because fans don’t care about that. If it is to win a WS then that formula is failed and impossible. Draft and develop may win a division but not a WS without a top 10 payroll. See Rampa and Milwaukee as proof. Both #1 farm systems that didn’t have a chance in playoffs

Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Tampa Bay haven't won a WS (yet) with a top farm system and a MLB payroll ranked in the bottom third.

However, the Cardinals should be aiming for a top farm system and a MLB payroll somewhere in range of 10th to 15th.

The $50, $70, $100 million payroll difference there should be significant.

When you have eliminated the impossible (spending like the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Astros, etc.), whatever is left (winning by the formula the Cardinals are undertaking), no matter how improbable, must be the truth.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Compete for what? That is my question. No one cares about the NLC or wildcard so if that’s the plan then sell the team because fans don’t care about that. If it is to win a WS then that formula is failed and impossible. Draft and develop may win a division but not a WS without a top 10 payroll. See Rampa and Milwaukee as proof. Both #1 farm systems that didn’t have a chance in playoffs

Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Tampa Bay haven't won a WS (yet) with a top farm system and a MLB payroll ranked in the bottom third.

However, the Cardinals should be aiming for a top farm system and a MLB payroll somewhere in range of 10th to 15th.

The $50, $70, $100 million payroll difference there should be significant.

When you have eliminated the impossible (spending like the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Astros, etc.), whatever is left (winning by the formula the Cardinals are undertaking), no matter how improbable, must be the truth.

Good write. What’s the poll numbers?

[Goldfan]

With this tv deal and mediocre attendance how can they spend at a high level?

BDW gets a loan, spends on some stars and winning, and FANS return. Fans aren’t returning to watch a AAA club

We were 5 games over .500 at the all star break and attendance wasn't good. The tv deal is a big factor. People no longer get the games on their basic cable or satellite package and aren't paying $20 a month and as a result have lost interest.

A new tv deal is needed. DeWitt Jr and/or DeWitt III aren't going to take out a loan.

People have (upset) at MO and wanted him gone. Secondly they’ve been (upset) at BDW for keeping him and not spending. But mostly sick of MO being utterly clueless. So they stayed home. Basically same story from every Cards Fan I know and people I just run in to. And unfortunately it will take STARS and dominant fun winning to get Butts back in seats. The low talent OLI run team…..5games over .500 at Allstar break ain’t gonna cut it. Giant hole BDW has dug……and he’s still screwing up keeping Oli

I agree with a lot of that but 5 games over .500 is a winning team and the fans weren't showing up.

5 games over is around .500. I’m talking about an exciting fun WINNING team. And what happened. Oli pitched Miles and Fedde FOUR games in that back to back Cubbie bear week and that Was the end of season. THEN Mo sold…..

[sikeston bulldog2]

With this tv deal and mediocre attendance how can they spend at a high level?

BDW gets a loan, spends on some stars and winning, and FANS return. Fans aren’t returning to watch a AAA club

We were 5 games over .500 at the all star break and attendance wasn't good. The tv deal is a big factor. People no longer get the games on their basic cable or satellite package and aren't paying $20 a month and as a result have lost interest.

A new tv deal is needed. DeWitt Jr and/or DeWitt III aren't going to take out a loan.

People have (upset) at MO and wanted him gone. Secondly they’ve been (upset) at BDW for keeping him and not spending. But mostly sick of MO being utterly clueless. So they stayed home. Basically same story from every Cards Fan I know and people I just run in to. And unfortunately it will take STARS and dominant fun winning to get Butts back in seats. The low talent OLI run team…..5games over .500 at Allstar break ain’t gonna cut it. Giant hole BDW has dug……and he’s still screwing up keeping Oli

I agree with a lot of that but 5 games over .500 is a winning team and the fans weren't showing up.

5 games over is around .500. I’m talking about an exciting fun WINNING team. And what happened. Oli pitched Miles and Fedde FOUR games in that back to back Cubbie bear week and that Was the end of season. THEN Mo sold…..

I agree on pitcher selection. Backfired. 5 games over is impossible unless a rainout. 83-79, or 84-78. No five over.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

I'll wait to see what the new contract with the union is and what type of TV deal they can get.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I'll wait to see what the new contract with the union is and what type of TV deal they can get.

Long wait. In the mean time,,,,