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Beefing up your farm system fits every scenario
Posted: 23 Dec 2025 18:50 pm
by opti mist
completely a no-lose situation. The Cardinals will have no salary commitments beyond 2026. There will be either a lockout or a new CBA, and the Cardinals will be in a perfect position to move forward. Probably upwards of $200 million to spend on free agents.
Whatever the possible scenario, a revamped farm system will serve the Cardinals well 5-10 years into the future. They were not serious contenders for 2026 anyway, so why not clear the books and build for the future.
Opti
Re: Beefing up your farm system fits every scenario
Posted: 23 Dec 2025 18:51 pm
by craviduce
opti mist wrote: ↑23 Dec 2025 18:50 pm
completely a no-lose situation. The Cardinals will have no salary commitments beyond 2026. There will be either a lockout or a new CBA, and the Cardinals will be in a perfect position to move forward. Probably upwards of $200 million to spend on free agents.
Whatever the possible scenario, a revamped farm system will serve the Cardinals well 5-10 years into the future. They were not serious contenders for 2026 anyway, so why not clear the books and build for the future.
Opti
well said, Opti
Re: Beefing up your farm system fits every scenario
Posted: 23 Dec 2025 19:33 pm
by 2ninr
It's a polarizing situation. I try to be respectful of other people's views. Lots of really good long time fans don't see it the way I do. But it couldn't be clearer to me they are doing the right thing. And that seems to be the consensus of most baseball people outside of the organization.
Re: Beefing up your farm system fits every scenario
Posted: 23 Dec 2025 20:52 pm
by RamFan08NY
opti mist wrote: ↑23 Dec 2025 18:50 pm
completely a no-lose situation. The Cardinals will have no salary commitments beyond 2026. There will be either a lockout or a new CBA, and the Cardinals will be in a perfect position to move forward. Probably upwards of $200 million to spend on free agents.
Whatever the possible scenario, a revamped farm system will serve the Cardinals well 5-10 years into the future. They were not serious contenders for 2026 anyway, so why not clear the books and build for the future.
Opti
Amen. I absolutely love the plan, and honestly I cannot wait to see a young, energetic team take the field. Win or lose in 26, I look forward to it.
Re: Beefing up your farm system fits every scenario
Posted: 23 Dec 2025 21:28 pm
by Ozziesfan41
RamFan08NY wrote: ↑23 Dec 2025 20:52 pm
opti mist wrote: ↑23 Dec 2025 18:50 pm
completely a no-lose situation. The Cardinals will have no salary commitments beyond 2026. There will be either a lockout or a new CBA, and the Cardinals will be in a perfect position to move forward. Probably upwards of $200 million to spend on free agents.
Whatever the possible scenario, a revamped farm system will serve the Cardinals well 5-10 years into the future. They were not serious contenders for 2026 anyway, so why not clear the books and build for the future.
Opti
Amen. I absolutely love the plan, and honestly I cannot wait to see a young, energetic team take the field. Win or lose in 26, I look forward to it.
Agree and once he signs another veteran free agent starter to go with liebratore and mcgreevy there is going to be actual competition for rotation spots instead of gifting them
To aging well past their prime starters because there is no one else
Re: Beefing up your farm system fits every scenario
Posted: 24 Dec 2025 00:36 am
by Carp4Cy
opti mist wrote: ↑23 Dec 2025 18:50 pm
completely a no-lose situation. The Cardinals will have no salary commitments beyond 2026. There will be either a lockout or a new CBA, and the Cardinals will be in a perfect position to move forward. Probably upwards of $200 million to spend on free agents.
Whatever the possible scenario, a revamped farm system will serve the Cardinals well 5-10 years into the future. They were not serious contenders for 2026 anyway, so why not clear the books and build for the future.
Opti
The problem is as it has been, we still have the wrong manager and coaches who cannot develop these young guys at the major league level.
Re: Beefing up your farm system fits every scenario
Posted: 24 Dec 2025 06:37 am
by mattmitchl44
opti mist wrote: ↑23 Dec 2025 18:50 pm
...so why not clear the books...
This is the part that CT seems to argue incessantly over.
Even though they are tying up tens of millions of dollars in "dead payroll space" to trade Gray, Contreras, and Arenado, you still have a faction on CT who will insist that they still MUST spend $130, $140, etc. million on the 2026 roster to "try to compete." However, given that they have about a 70-72 win roster right now, there is no way for them to get to being actually "competitive" in 2026. So it would be just for show and not for the reality of being competitive.
The only thing I don't want to see them do is sign older, expensive FA to long term (3+ year) contracts this offseason. Since they can't compete in 2026 anyway, there is no reason for them to tie themselves to a "declining asset" in an expensive veteran over age 30. So, yes, clear the books and retain the flexibility to add after the 2026, 2027, 2028 seasons when they are, hopefully, really ready to compete again.
Re: Beefing up your farm system fits every scenario
Posted: 24 Dec 2025 06:42 am
by AnExParrot
mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 06:37 am
opti mist wrote: ↑23 Dec 2025 18:50 pm
...so why not clear the books...
This is the part that CT seems to argue incessantly over.
Even though they are tying up tens of millions of dollars in "dead payroll space" to trade Gray, Contreras, and Arenado, you still have a faction on CT who will insist that they still MUST spend $130, $140, etc. million on the 2026 roster to "try to compete." However, given that they have about a 70-72 win roster right now, there is no way for them to get to being actually "competitive" in 2026. So it would be just for show and not for the reality of being competitive.
The only thing I don't want to see them do is sign older, expensive FA to long term (3+ year) contracts this offseason. Since they can't compete in 2026 anyway, there is no reason for them to tie themselves to a "declining asset" in an expensive veteran over age 30. So, yes, clear the books and retain the flexibility to add after the 2026, 2027, 2028 seasons when they are, hopefully, really ready to compete again.
When will you admit you want the team to be the Pirates/As, matt? That's what you want, why not just admit it?
