Fans live in a fantasy world

[OldRed]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

You make a good point- reference fantasy. How many posters here play fantasy baseball. I’d say about even.

Do you think their options differ much from those who don’t or have never played.

Be a nice case study.

[skeezix]

Let's see if I have this right:

1. Cardinals are tanking in 2026.
2. Blues are tanking in 2025-6.
3. City SC are tanking in 2026.

A perfect storm for pro sports in STL. Not a good time to be a media sports reporter. Unless you're a crepe-hanger.

[mattmitchl44]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia have all gone down a similar path and been successful on the other side.

[hugeCardfan]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

What? We aren't winning this year? Dam.n you Red; you're sucking all the hopes and dreams right out of my soul.... Can't we just win a few games. Once a week or something? You're no fun.

Couldn't we just get a little excited to see JJ play this year. What about one or two pitching surprises? Can't I watch the farm teams with a little hope. You're no fun at all...you curmudgeon you....

[OldRed]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

What? We aren't winning this year? Dam.n you Red; you're sucking all the hopes and dreams right out of my soul.... Can't we just win a few games. Once a week or something? You're no fun.

Couldn't we just get a little excited to see JJ play this year. What about one or two pitching surprises? Can't I watch the farm teams with a little hope. You're no fun at all...you curmudgeon you....

I knew Cranny would stop by and comment . . . LOL!

[OldRed]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia have all gone down a similar path and been successful on the other side.

No, they didn't. They spent some $$$

[Strummer Jones]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia have all gone down a similar path and been successful on the other side.

No, they didn't. They spent some $$$

Eventually they did.

[kscardsfan]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

So are you saying you are done with this team? Not watching?

[Carp4Cy]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

You make a good point- reference fantasy. How many posters here play fantasy baseball. I’d say about even.

Do you think their options differ much from those who don’t or have never played.

Be a nice case study.

How many Cardinals are you drafting/starting on your fantasy team? Excluding Donovan, assuming he's traded.

[Carp4Cy]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

So are you saying you are done with this team? Not watching?

Sometimes they aren't worth it for a while. Like OSU football the past 2 years. And basketball for several years until this season.

Fans choose how to spend their time every year and every day, and its dependent on performance and return on the time invested.

[BrockFloodMaris]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia have all gone down a similar path and been successful on the other side.

No, they didn't. They spent some $$$

Eventually they did.

Yes, they did. Not much in the first year though. I think the new CBA and the outcome of the tv deal will dictate spending in year two. 2028 is when I expect our MLB payroll to surpass $150M-$175M. Not next week, like some in here expect. I hope no ones head explodes while waiting for this process to unfold.

[CorneliusWolfe]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

Hollywood sells fantasy. Cards fans can usually tell if we’re going to have either a competitive or on-the-rise team, which some would see as “fun enough” to buy in. Looks like this product does not have much buy in at all.

Unless you’re talking about the prospect geek crowd who thinks we’re simply going to draft our way our of this mess and be a powerhouse in a couple years.

I don’t think anyone is really fooled as far as this season is concerned, as I haven’t seen any positive predictions. I predicted a .500 team and that’s the most optimistic I’ve seen.

[mattmitchl44]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia have all gone down a similar path and been successful on the other side.

No, they didn't. They spent some $$$

Houston's payroll was 20th or lower for six straight seasons, Atlanta's was 19th or lower for four straight, and Philadelphia was 18th or lower for three straight.

[Carp4Cy]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia have all gone down a similar path and been successful on the other side.

That might prove to be a different era with different rules and talent economies than what we are heading into. What if we are attempting an outdated 10+ year old strategy that due to the runup in prospect prices and coming changes in talent years of control/ arb salaries, lottery rules etc, proves to be a lot less effective in the 2nd half of the 2020's?

Teams that aren't rebuilding are still turning out MiLB prospects into MLB stars as quickly or more quickly than we have and likely will.

We could have drafted Konnor Griffin. Time will tell who creates more WAR year by year, but right now the analysts like him even more than JJW.

[mattmitchl44]

I'm shocked by the lack of knowledge some post. This will not be a good team. This was strictly a salary dump. If not, other teams would also be doing what the Cardinals are calling a re-build.

I'm not buying in the so-called re-build, and I imagine by ticket sales others are not also.

Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia have all gone down a similar path and been successful on the other side.

That might prove to be a different era with different rules and talent economies than what we are heading into. What if we are attempting an outdated 10+ year old strategy that due to the runup in prospect prices and coming changes in talent years of control/ arb salaries, lottery rules etc, proves to be a lot less effective in the 2nd half of the 2020's?

Teams that aren't rebuilding are still turning out MiLB prospects into MLB stars as quickly or more quickly than we have and likely will.

We could have drafted Konnor Griffin. Time will tell who creates more WAR year by year, but right now the analysts like him even more than JJW.

The increase in top FA prices ensures that the Cardinals have to start from a deep base of cost controlled talent.