Did Cards already sneak in the "reset" in '23-'24?

[Konstantinov]

Over those 2 years, gradually increased playing time/growth for Victor Scott, Liberatore, Herrera, Burleson, Nootbar, Winn, Pallante, Leahy, McGreevy. (Gorman and Walker as well)

"Seatfiller" plug-ins while others improved: Verhagen, Woodford, Lawrence, K Gibson, Lance Lynn, Siani, Brandon Crawford, Baker, Yepez, Knizner, Dejong, Palacios, Taylor Motter. And Wainwright's final year.

Declaring a reset before 2023 would obviously have decreased attendance even more than it was for those 2 years.
Was this the master plan now bearing fruit?

[Konstantinov]

I'll add then after declaring a "reset" in 2025, no good higher priced talent was traded away: Contreras, Donovan, Arenado, Gray, Fedde, Helsley

Analysts were dumbfounded, gave the Cards an "F" for their reset.

[Konstantinov]

And finally, reaping in good draft picks like Wetherholt after tanking in 2023.

Did DeWitt/Mo pull a fast one on everybody?

[blackinkbiz]

Over those 2 years, gradually increased playing time/growth for Victor Scott, Liberatore, Herrera, Burleson, Nootbar, Winn, Pallante, Leahy, McGreevy. (Gorman and Walker as well)

"Seatfiller" plug-ins while others improved: Verhagen, Woodford, Lawrence, K Gibson, Lance Lynn, Siani, Brandon Crawford, Baker, Yepez, Knizner, Dejong, Palacios, Taylor Motter. And Wainwright's final year.

Declaring a reset before 2023 would obviously have decreased attendance even more than it was for those 2 years.
Was this the master plan now bearing fruit?

Been telling all the naysayers this repeatedly. This isn't year 1 of the "reset;" it's year 3. Starting in 2023, the Cardinals have graduated players at every single position. Back in 2023, I believe it was called retool on the fly. It's confusing because the Blues were doing the exact same thing at the exact same time so I have difficulty remembering which org used which term.

The Blues success came in year 3. Barring a total collapse, it appears the Cardinals are on the verge of doing the same.

I'm hesitant to declare this as some sort of "secret master plan" however. It was well established and well known the Cards were trying to rebuild on the fly. That's nothing new for them. It's the same model they've essentially followed for the past 20 years. The problem was, up until this last month, the process appeared to be drastically failing.

Let's hope the success is here to stay. It sure looks good right now.

[Konstantinov]

Agree with all of the above. But the Cards definitely called this year, year 1 of the reset. I think they started it 2 years ago, and just didn't tell anyone.

[ramfandan]

I'll add then after declaring a "reset" in 2025, no good higher priced talent was traded away: Contreras, Donovan, Arenado, Gray, Fedde, Helsley

Analysts were dumbfounded, gave the Cards an "F" for their reset.

Little did they know their “F” would be interpreted Fantastic
On May 20th

[hugeCardfan]

I think the Cards were hesitant to put a label on this year. There were still quite a few question marks. But, you cannot otherwise explain to me why the rotation was left alone and Helsley was too. It also explains why Arenado was not traded for spilt milk.

I've been on record for "happy they are where they are". Not willing to predict the potential outcome, I was still satisfied that this was a team they could build and win from. I imagine that everyone is surprised just how well the team has jelled and how mature they play after 2023. I'd love to know what their rationale was to extend Oli 2 years. Have to believe he's been part of the plan from the gitgo. Guessing that Chaim is committed to Oli thru '26 and then the management team is all his.

[jw0595]

If they had any inkling, I don't think they would have passed up on a chance to market a "playoff quality team".

[CorneliusWolfe]

Sneak it in? No. Did it by accident because they didn’t know what they had? Yes. Why they didn’t know is a whole other topic.

MLB top run differentials:
1 NY Yankees. +90
2 Detroit +80
3 Chi Cubs. +69
4 LA Dodgers. +59
5 NY Mets +54
6 St. Louis +45

Tied with Giants, ahead of Phillies, Seattle, Padres. Supposed “real” contenders that no one is saying should reset. We’ve faced some extremely tough pitching too and faced tough lineups to earn that solid differential.

Team should try to win this year by augmenting roster as soon as possible. Especially if we are successful in head to head vs. Cubs after June/early July. If not, then submit to the accept losing in the name of learning experience plan

[CorneliusWolfe]

If they had any inkling, I don't think they would have passed up on a chance to market a "playoff quality team".

Exactly. They didn’t know what they had.

[cardstatman]

Lots of good signs lately despite Walker and Gorman not really succeeding and Fernandez, King, and Romero struggling.

I am happily surprised at Winn, Herrera, Scott, Saggese, Pozo, Liberatore, Leahy.

However, we have been incredibly injury free this season and our depth has not been tested yet.

I fear a collapse is quite possible; I don't see much depth on this team. Part of the reset is to rebuild that.

[Cranny]

Lots of good signs lately despite Walker and Gorman not really succeeding and Fernandez, King, and Romero struggling.

I am happily surprised at Winn, Herrera, Scott, Saggese, Pozo, Liberatore, Leahy.

However, we have been incredibly injury free this season and our depth has not been tested yet.

I fear a collapse is quite possible; I don't see much depth on this team. Part of the reset is to rebuild that.

Saggese, Prieto, Fermin, Vilade, Antico, Crooks, McGreevy, O’Brien, Granillo, etc. are just waiting for a chance to come to St. Louis.

[3dender]

Lots of good signs lately despite Walker and Gorman not really succeeding and Fernandez, King, and Romero struggling.

I am happily surprised at Winn, Herrera, Scott, Saggese, Pozo, Liberatore, Leahy.

However, we have been incredibly injury free this season and our depth has not been tested yet.

I fear a collapse is quite possible; I don't see much depth on this team. Part of the reset is to rebuild that.

Saggese, Prieto, Fermin, Vilade, Antico, Crooks, McGreevy, O’Brien, Granillo, etc. are just waiting for a chance to come to St. Louis.

There is only one certain MLB-ready bat on that list. And two pitchers.

[Futuregm2]

Lots of good signs lately despite Walker and Gorman not really succeeding and Fernandez, King, and Romero struggling.

I am happily surprised at Winn, Herrera, Scott, Saggese, Pozo, Liberatore, Leahy.

However, we have been incredibly injury free this season and our depth has not been tested yet.

I fear a collapse is quite possible; I don't see much depth on this team. Part of the reset is to rebuild that.

Saggese, Prieto, Fermin, Vilade, Antico, Crooks, McGreevy, O’Brien, Granillo, etc. are just waiting for a chance to come to St. Louis.

Come on now Cranny, why didn’t you include Alex Cornwell in that list?!

[peterman'srealitytour]

No, they did not.

[ecleme22]

Not a reset. The signings by WC and SG proved that.

But, they didn't overextend themselves. They didn't make a dumb Ozuna-like trade.