The plan for the off season….

[Baseball Dude]

As we head into a third consecutive off season without hope of finding or signing that one “missing piece” I believe we will be a bit more aggressive. I can see the cards signing a bunch of potential trade pieces. I could see a Marcus Stroman, JT Brubaker, Ryan Helsley, etc. We will need the innings with Mikolas gone and Pallante hopefully headed to the pen. We can hope to catch lightening in a bottle and continue to work on rebuilding the farm, even if the last few sell offs haven’t offered up much potential yet.

[Absolut]

Helsley and stroman. Please no

[Youboughtit]

Helsley and stroman. Please no

Didn’t Stroman get released and no one picked him up? He would be worse than Fedde or Mikolas.

[ICCFIM2]

As we head into a third consecutive off season without hope of finding or signing that one “missing piece” I believe we will be a bit more aggressive. I can see the cards signing a bunch of potential trade pieces. I could see a Marcus Stroman, JT Brubaker, Ryan Helsley, etc. We will need the innings with Mikolas gone and Pallante hopefully headed to the pen. We can hope to catch lightening in a bottle and continue to work on rebuilding the farm, even if the last few sell offs haven’t offered up much potential yet.

I don't think that will be there strategy at all. They will trade for some young starting pitching. If they need an arm to sign, it will be some cheap under the radar veteran. Aggressive is not my expectation. Changing the herd and adding talent in places of need like SP in exchange for infielders and OFs is my expectation. It is going to be guys we never heard of and we are either going to trust Bloom or not. My expectation for the team next year is 75-80 wins but hope at the end of the season.

[Bubble4427]

I’m not trolling. This is what I honestly think the plan is.
1. Cut costs again this off-season.
2. Preach patience to the fan base as they rebuild through the draft
3. Get through next season on a bare bones budget while preparing for a lengthy work stoppage in ‘27
4. Sell the team within 12 months of baseball resuming after the labor dispute is resolved.

The current ownership is no longer in the “be competitive for the long haul” mindset. It’s cut costs, clear out any major long term contracts to clean up the the books…and when the labor dispute gets settled….make a killing in selling the team because the Dewitt’s have lost the stomach to play with the big boys (big wallets) moving forward.

[JuanAgosto]

I’m not trolling. This is what I honestly think the plan is.
1. Cut costs again this off-season.
2. Preach patience to the fan base as they rebuild through the draft
3. Get through next season on a bare bones budget while preparing for a lengthy work stoppage in ‘27
4. Sell the team within 12 months of baseball resuming after the labor dispute is resolved.

The current ownership is no longer in the “be competitive for the long haul” mindset. It’s cut costs, clear out any major long term contracts to clean up the the books…and when the labor dispute gets settled….make a killing in selling the team because the Dewitt’s have lost the stomach to play with the big boys (big wallets) moving forward.

I am not questioning or doubting your thoughts. A sale could mean Bloom is out of a job. Would he take the job knowing it was short-term and only to cut costs for DeWitt to sell? He wouldn't even get a chance to reap the benefits.

[Bubble4427]

I’m not trolling. This is what I honestly think the plan is.
1. Cut costs again this off-season.
2. Preach patience to the fan base as they rebuild through the draft
3. Get through next season on a bare bones budget while preparing for a lengthy work stoppage in ‘27
4. Sell the team within 12 months of baseball resuming after the labor dispute is resolved.

The current ownership is no longer in the “be competitive for the long haul” mindset. It’s cut costs, clear out any major long term contracts to clean up the the books…and when the labor dispute gets settled….make a killing in selling the team because the Dewitt’s have lost the stomach to play with the big boys (big wallets) moving forward.

I am not questioning or doubting your thoughts. A sale could mean Bloom is out of a job. Would he take the job knowing it was short-term and only to cut costs for DeWitt to sell? He wouldn't even get a chance to reap the benefits.

Do you honestly think that the Cardinals would tell Bloom they were intending to sell 2 years ago when he was hired? I think a lot has changed in the last 2 years too. The Cardinals slide and the obscured spending of the Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, et. are at the top of the list.

Bloom was hired to cut costs….that is what he did in Boston. He did build a farm system….but the Red Sox did not spend much at all during his tenure. Look at the guys track record. The Dewitt’s knew what they were doing all along IMO.

[TopofthePerch]

I’m not trolling. This is what I honestly think the plan is.
1. Cut costs again this off-season.
2. Preach patience to the fan base as they rebuild through the draft
3. Get through next season on a bare bones budget while preparing for a lengthy work stoppage in ‘27
4. Sell the team within 12 months of baseball resuming after the labor dispute is resolved.

The current ownership is no longer in the “be competitive for the long haul” mindset. It’s cut costs, clear out any major long term contracts to clean up the the books…and when the labor dispute gets settled….make a killing in selling the team because the Dewitt’s have lost the stomach to play with the big boys (big wallets) moving forward.

I mean them not spending up to their revenue has only been a thing for the last few years. They have been in that top ten range most seasons and it didn't get them any further. I am not saying they can't spend more but you are delusional for thinking they can or should spend with the big boys because they never have.

[Bubble4427]

I’m not trolling. This is what I honestly think the plan is.
1. Cut costs again this off-season.
2. Preach patience to the fan base as they rebuild through the draft
3. Get through next season on a bare bones budget while preparing for a lengthy work stoppage in ‘27
4. Sell the team within 12 months of baseball resuming after the labor dispute is resolved.

The current ownership is no longer in the “be competitive for the long haul” mindset. It’s cut costs, clear out any major long term contracts to clean up the the books…and when the labor dispute gets settled….make a killing in selling the team because the Dewitt’s have lost the stomach to play with the big boys (big wallets) moving forward.

I mean them not spending up to their revenue has only been a thing for the last few years. They have been in that top ten range most seasons and it didn't get them any further. I am not saying they can't spend more but you are delusional for thinking they can or should spend with the big boys because they never have.

I am merely stating that I think the Dewitt’s will sell the team. The Cards have never been a “big boy spender”…but they are. Quickly being left in the dust. You can’t cut payroll and raise tickets at the same time.

BASEBALL IS BROKEN. They need to put in a hard cap and a hard floor (forcing the cheapskate teams to spend to a certain amount). Until everyone wakes up and actually does what is best for the game and its fans….baseball will fall farther behind. What major sport has 6 teams every season that literally have zero chance before the first game is played? And the commissioner is a complete and utter embarrassment. Ohtani signs a 70 million a year dollar with 68 million of that deferred?….how is that good for the game. All of the other sports have caps and all of the other sports make money and have somewhat better parity in their league.

Dewitt’s are getting out of the business. Didn’t Mike Shannon say this before he died during a radio show. I think he got into some trouble for it…but I could be wrong.

[JuanAgosto]

I’m not trolling. This is what I honestly think the plan is.
1. Cut costs again this off-season.
2. Preach patience to the fan base as they rebuild through the draft
3. Get through next season on a bare bones budget while preparing for a lengthy work stoppage in ‘27
4. Sell the team within 12 months of baseball resuming after the labor dispute is resolved.

The current ownership is no longer in the “be competitive for the long haul” mindset. It’s cut costs, clear out any major long term contracts to clean up the the books…and when the labor dispute gets settled….make a killing in selling the team because the Dewitt’s have lost the stomach to play with the big boys (big wallets) moving forward.

I am not questioning or doubting your thoughts. A sale could mean Bloom is out of a job. Would he take the job knowing it was short-term and only to cut costs for DeWitt to sell? He wouldn't even get a chance to reap the benefits.

Do you honestly think that the Cardinals would tell Bloom they were intending to sell 2 years ago when he was hired? I think a lot has changed in the last 2 years too. The Cardinals slide and the obscured spending of the Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, et. are at the top of the list.

Bloom was hired to cut costs….that is what he did in Boston. He did build a farm system….but the Red Sox did not spend much at all during his tenure. Look at the guys track record. The Dewitt’s knew what they were doing all along IMO.

Surely he is smart enough and connected enough throughout the league to have gotten a heads-up on any plan to sell.

[imadangman]

Dewitt’s are getting out of the business. Didn’t Mike Shannon say this before he died during a radio show. I think he got into some trouble for it…but I could be wrong.

He said that in 2021. That makes me wonder how early ownership groups start "testing the waters" before it actually becomes public knowledge that the team is for sale. Probably quite some time.

[Bomber1]

I’m not trolling. This is what I honestly think the plan is.
1. Cut costs again this off-season.
2. Preach patience to the fan base as they rebuild through the draft
3. Get through next season on a bare bones budget while preparing for a lengthy work stoppage in ‘27
4. Sell the team within 12 months of baseball resuming after the labor dispute is resolved.

The current ownership is no longer in the “be competitive for the long haul” mindset. It’s cut costs, clear out any major long term contracts to clean up the the books…and when the labor dispute gets settled….make a killing in selling the team because the Dewitt’s have lost the stomach to play with the big boys (big wallets) moving forward.

If they indeed sell this “plan” is fine by me.

[rockondlouie]

I think there is only a very slim chance the team is sold as long as BDWJr is alive, he LOVES baseball.

After that, I absolutely think FREDO (aka BDWIII) sells the team.

He's a clone of ABIII.

[Wattage]

I think there is only a very slim chance the team is sold as long as BDWJr is alive, he LOVES baseball.

After that, I absolutely think FREDO (aka BDWIII) sells the team.

He's a clone of ABIII.

Dewitt the3rd would be wise to sell cuz hes already more far hated by fambase than the actual owner, and clearly doesnt know how to address or talk to the fans and fans would likely never come back for him unless he hired someone else to do pr statements and interviews for him. John mozeliak actually looks like a genius at addressing the fans and handling interviews in comparison.

Every interview by Dewitt 3rd is just him choking kn stupid statements. Its bad enough when he defends bad moves like mozeliak, buts whats even worse is he frequently ge r s frustrated and makes statements calling out fams for not wanting to support and threatening to cut payroll more if they dont and just whining and complaining ablut his fambase hes trying to sell to- something even mozeliak would never be dumb enough to do.

[3dender]

As we head into a third consecutive off season without hope of finding or signing that one “missing piece” I believe we will be a bit more aggressive. I can see the cards signing a bunch of potential trade pieces. I could see a Marcus Stroman, JT Brubaker, Ryan Helsley, etc. We will need the innings with Mikolas gone and Pallante hopefully headed to the pen. We can hope to catch lightening in a bottle and continue to work on rebuilding the farm, even if the last few sell offs haven’t offered up much potential yet.

I don't think that will be there strategy at all. They will trade for some young starting pitching. If they need an arm to sign, it will be some cheap under the radar veteran. Aggressive is not my expectation. Changing the herd and adding talent in places of need like SP in exchange for infielders and OFs is my expectation. It is going to be guys we never heard of and we are either going to trust Bloom or not. My expectation for the team next year is 75-80 wins but hope at the end of the season.

I think something along the lines of this or Bubble's prediction right below it is the most likely outcome.

I'm not convinced they'll sell the team after 2027, but it also wouldn't surprise me. Regardless of the sale, I'm pretty sure that they won't make any significant payroll investments until after the new CBA.

[45s]

I’m not trolling. This is what I honestly think the plan is.
1. Cut costs again this off-season.
2. Preach patience to the fan base as they rebuild through the draft
3. Get through next season on a bare bones budget while preparing for a lengthy work stoppage in ‘27
4. Sell the team within 12 months of baseball resuming after the labor dispute is resolved.

The current ownership is no longer in the “be competitive for the long haul” mindset. It’s cut costs, clear out any major long term contracts to clean up the the books…and when the labor dispute gets settled….make a killing in selling the team because the Dewitt’s have lost the stomach to play with the big boys (big wallets) moving forward.

I mean them not spending up to their revenue has only been a thing for the last few years. They have been in that top ten range most seasons and it didn't get them any further. I am not saying they can't spend more but you are delusional for thinking they can or should spend with the big boys because they never have.

I am merely stating that I think the Dewitt’s will sell the team. The Cards have never been a “big boy spender”…but they are. Quickly being left in the dust. You can’t cut payroll and raise tickets at the same time.

BASEBALL IS BROKEN. They need to put in a hard cap and a hard floor (forcing the cheapskate teams to spend to a certain amount). Until everyone wakes up and actually does what is best for the game and its fans….baseball will fall farther behind. What major sport has 6 teams every season that literally have zero chance before the first game is played? And the commissioner is a complete and utter embarrassment. Ohtani signs a 70 million a year dollar with 68 million of that deferred?….how is that good for the game. All of the other sports have caps and all of the other sports make money and have somewhat better parity in their league.

Dewitt’s are getting out of the business. Didn’t Mike Shannon say this before he died during a radio show. I think he got into some trouble for it…but I could be wrong.

Would you sell a cash cow?