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They had to tear it down to the studs, thanks to BDW and Mo malfeasance.

Better days ahead, if BDW lets Chaim Bloom have TOTAL control.

Bomber1 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:53 am

OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:16 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:15 am

OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:12 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:05 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.

Dude. Winter is killing you. Ironically I’m more excited as I expect nothing for winning but expect a lot from assessment going forward.

Gotta start somewhere.

Good for you. I'm just not. I like to win.

We all want to win. What are you not seeing here. We are not supposed to win. We got in too deep. Takes time to recover. Get this- Time meaning years.

Not your ally.

You like so many others really bought into this. Really sad how they sold the fans on this.

Do you think that going “CCard” over the rebuild is going to change the fact that they are rebuilding?

They’ve made their decision as far as the direction in which they’re taking the team.

I for one am glad they’ve chosen the path they have.

You may think it’s sad; many others believe it should have happened several years ago.

The "rebuild" did begin TWO YEARS ago. Trading key players at the deadline, no free agent signing, Now trading all veteran players and keeping a proven loser management. Where have you been??

Pura Vida wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 09:39 am

Bomber1 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:53 am

OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:16 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:15 am

OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:12 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:05 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.

Dude. Winter is killing you. Ironically I’m more excited as I expect nothing for winning but expect a lot from assessment going forward.

Gotta start somewhere.

Good for you. I'm just not. I like to win.

We all want to win. What are you not seeing here. We are not supposed to win. We got in too deep. Takes time to recover. Get this- Time meaning years.

Not your ally.

You like so many others really bought into this. Really sad how they sold the fans on this.

Do you think that going “CCard” over the rebuild is going to change the fact that they are rebuilding?

They’ve made their decision as far as the direction in which they’re taking the team.

I for one am glad they’ve chosen the path they have.

You may think it’s sad; many others believe it should have happened several years ago.

The "rebuild" did begin TWO YEARS ago. Trading key players at the deadline, no free agent signing, Now trading all veteran players and keeping a proven loser management. Where have you been??

Other than what has been going on behind the scenes in terms of hiring FO staff, instructors, building facilities, etc., their rebuilding moves involving players have been at best half-[ashed] prior to this offseason.

It has been said before - if they were serious, they should have torn it down at the 2023 trading deadline.

Who cares? Troll much?

hmoss859 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 09:39 am They had to tear it down to the studs, thanks to BDW and Mo malfeasance.

Better days ahead, if BDW lets Chaim Bloom have TOTAL control.

+1
Look...I get that fans are bumming over what the record could likely be in 2026.
But....that doesn’t mean the season can’t be compelling.
Also I know they have $$ in reserve to spend but I would wait until 2027 to get into free agency.
Just my opinions.

Pura Vida wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 09:39 am

Bomber1 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:53 am

OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:16 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:15 am

OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:12 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:05 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.

Dude. Winter is killing you. Ironically I’m more excited as I expect nothing for winning but expect a lot from assessment going forward.

Gotta start somewhere.

Good for you. I'm just not. I like to win.

We all want to win. What are you not seeing here. We are not supposed to win. We got in too deep. Takes time to recover. Get this- Time meaning years.

Not your ally.

You like so many others really bought into this. Really sad how they sold the fans on this.

Do you think that going “CCard” over the rebuild is going to change the fact that they are rebuilding?

They’ve made their decision as far as the direction in which they’re taking the team.

I for one am glad they’ve chosen the path they have.

You may think it’s sad; many others believe it should have happened several years ago.

The "rebuild" did begin TWO YEARS ago. Trading key players at the deadline, no free agent signing, Now trading all veteran players and keeping a proven loser management. Where have you been??

2 years ago they signed Gray, Gibson and Lynn and spent a ton of money to do it.
You think Mozeliak did that as part of a rebuild?

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.

Were you excited last year? Why? What changed?

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.

Exactly Ronnie. This org was a complete mess under MO the last 5 years and ownership let it go downhill. They have a new direction and they have rebuilt the minor league and player development systems and are remaking the team. We have JJW to watch this year. We shall see if IH and Burley can improve. The is the year they either fish or cut bait with NG and JW. Lots will happen. I expect them to make another move or two. There is some decent young pitching. Baez is hopefully a major league OFer and will prove that in a season or so. Someone with a plan is in charge for a change. Sure, this season will be 75 wins, maybe .500 if lots of good things happen, but I expect it to go up from there.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 09:36 am

OldRed wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 09:33 am

hugeCardfan wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 09:27 am

Voldemort wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 09:18 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.

Dang, the whole point of spring training is to get all of these prospects on the field to see where the team stands for this year. Are some of these new players ready? Who makes the big team? What will the pitching look like? It is a time to watch some of the players we have heard about for years. I am really excited about spring training.

Exactly. ST may be more exciting than the regular season. My interest will be in seeing these players work hard to build momentum for the future. I will also be interested in how they play the second half. I'd love for some momentum for '27....

Sure, I want to win in '26, but to need it is folly. .500 and/or a few breakouts would be just fine. Expectations are low but to not have hope with so much talent on the farm, makes no sense to me.

Spring training has seldom been about breakout young players making the opening day roster. Remember even Pujols wouldn't have made it if not for a Bobby Bonilla injury. Teams usually know their starting lineups before a game is played in spring training. Spring training has always been for veterans getting at bats getting ready for the season.

Spring training is not an American Legion tryout.

For your model to succeed you need vets. Who are the Bonillas of this team. So yes, in the absence of vets it is indeed a tryout of sorts.

ST is also a place where rookies break in.

What Are veterans 2026 Cardinals? Let em play whoever rises to the top so be it.

Hope you can find a way to enjoy it, there probably won't be a spring training next year.

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 10:55 am Hope you can find a way to enjoy it, there probably won't be a spring training next year.

Hopefully they can at least do a shortened spring training like '22

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2026 08:05 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.

Dude. Winter is killing you. Ironically I’m more excited as I expect nothing for winning but expect a lot from assessment going forward.

Gotta start somewhere.

I'm with you, Bulldog. I am not excited about ST, either, at least in the context of a normal season's cadence. Normally I am counting days until pitchers and catchers report, looking forward to the first organized ballgames since October, and then the final countdown to Opening Day. Not this year. But I am looking forward to getting this rebuild underway, to see how this yutes movement progresses. Who will rise, who will fall. Who will exceed expectations, who will bust. What player will come out of nowhere and be a contributor to this team.

Some posters still haven't accepted where this ballclub is right now. Fine. I don't like it, either, but the reality of the situation isn't going to change. Might as well face reality and derive what enjoyment one can from the greatest game God ever invented.

Go Cardinals. Screw the Cubs.

I'm very excited to see the guys and the new facility in person this year.

Eager to get answers to these questions:
How does Victor Scott 2.0 look?
How about Walker?
How is Winn and his knee?
How is Noot and his heels?
How does JJ look after a full offseason?
How does Church look after his debut?
How does Crooks look after his debut?
Can Saggese or Fermin step into a key role?

I'm less focused on the pitchers, though still curious how the depth shakes out.

I've spoke my peace about how I think this season is going to go. There is nothing to be overly excited about but to watch and see how the plan progresses. It's going to be dark before the storm and I think that's where it's at. You can barely watch them at home, and the "Cardinal" experience is going to be way overpriced. Going to take time to build it all back up, as well as trust.

If I'm wrong and they perform over their heads to a .500 record, I will happily eat my words. But I still haven't seen anything that changes my mind that the bottom falls out and this season is historic. And not in a good way.

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'll admit the payroll reduction and refusal to add major league talent has dampened my enthusiasm somewhat, but there's something about the sound of a bat hitting a ball and the approaching excitement of the games that draws me back with anticipation. Honestly I'll feel like they should win every game yet I know that's not possible. I'll watch at least for a while but I won't get invested until I see concrete proof that they have a real chance to be special. Still, it's like opening a present on Christmas, isn't it?

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.

Why? This is one of the only times I can remember that literally ANYONE can make the team, and the players should know it so we'll see competition. I can see in maybe 3-5 seasons both the Cards and the Blues being top teams again...but it all starts from the rebuild.