This is the most excited I've been about a season since 2019

[ecleme22]

WHY?
In 2019, I felt they had some DIRECTION. Shildt's first full season, newly acquired Goldy, DeJong came off two good seasons, Carp hadn't yet declined deeply, the OF seemed promising, ETC.

2021-2022:
Some of you may have been more excited, but to me, we went into both seasons with starter rotation [shirt] shows, no OF depth, DeJong had become dead weight, Mo seemed dead set on Hudson being a starter, wasn't sure of Hicks' role, Matt Carpenter allowed to hang around. It seemed like an incomplete, unfocused roster. With both seasons requiring the acquisition of TWO starters at the deadline, not because of unforeseen injuries but because of inept roster building...

2026:
This org and team seem to have a direction. And personally, I think the rotation and offense have a chance to be better than 2025, which could lead to a better record than many forecast. Either way, it appears to be a CLEAR DIRECTION that can be built on for years to come.

[CNYFan]

Hear Hear!! +1

[earp]

Thinking more like:
Significantly subpar!

[bccardsfan]

As I posted in the other thread, I'm excited to see if JJW will make it in The Bigs this season. Everything else is gravy. They're not going to the World Series this year, so what? There's lots of interesting things to watch

[Goldfan]

WHY?
In 2019, I felt they had some DIRECTION. Shildt's first full season, newly acquired Goldy, DeJong came off two good seasons, Carp hadn't yet declined deeply, the OF seemed promising, ETC.

2021-2022:
Some of you may have been more excited, but to me, we went into both seasons with starter rotation [shirt] shows, no OF depth, DeJong had become dead weight, Mo seemed dead set on Hudson being a starter, wasn't sure of Hicks' role, Matt Carpenter allowed to hang around. It seemed like an incomplete, unfocused roster. With both seasons requiring the acquisition of TWO starters at the deadline, not because of unforeseen injuries but because of inept roster building...

2026:
This org and team seem to have a direction. And personally, I think the rotation and offense have a chance to be better than 2025, which could lead to a better record than many forecast. Either way, it appears to be a CLEAR DIRECTION that can be built on for years to come.

So your excitement level is a very very low bar

[Cardinals4Life]

WHY?
In 2019, I felt they had some DIRECTION. Shildt's first full season, newly acquired Goldy, DeJong came off two good seasons, Carp hadn't yet declined deeply, the OF seemed promising, ETC.

2021-2022:
Some of you may have been more excited, but to me, we went into both seasons with starter rotation [shirt] shows, no OF depth, DeJong had become dead weight, Mo seemed dead set on Hudson being a starter, wasn't sure of Hicks' role, Matt Carpenter allowed to hang around. It seemed like an incomplete, unfocused roster. With both seasons requiring the acquisition of TWO starters at the deadline, not because of unforeseen injuries but because of inept roster building...

2026:
This org and team seem to have a direction. And personally, I think the rotation and offense have a chance to be better than 2025, which could lead to a better record than many forecast. Either way, it appears to be a CLEAR DIRECTION that can be built on for years to come.

The start of a new season always creates hope and excitement in the air. Then when the season begins and we see how outmatched we are most days, it becomes frustrating and disheartening. Marmol in the dugout really makes it worse.

We have a young team, get them an experienced manager who can provide a winning culture and who knows how to put them in positions to succeed. Marmol does not provide that.

[Idaho Cards]

Cheers EC - There is a contingency out there that enjoys the process of developing players and watching their growth. We bear down on individual at bats and watch how hitters work counts and make adjustments; and how pitchers execute pitches during the big situations in a game - can they recover after adversity, etc? Lots to be excited about. Watching the Process.

[scoutyjones2]

As I posted in the other thread, I'm excited to see if JJW will make it in The Bigs this season. Everything else is gravy. They're not going to the World Series this year, so what? There's lots of interesting things to watch

What an intriguing take. Only 2 teams make the WS every year...so your expectations,are pretty low every year

[scoutyjones2]

WHY?
In 2019, I felt they had some DIRECTION. Shildt's first full season, newly acquired Goldy, DeJong came off two good seasons, Carp hadn't yet declined deeply, the OF seemed promising, ETC.

2021-2022:
Some of you may have been more excited, but to me, we went into both seasons with starter rotation [shirt] shows, no OF depth, DeJong had become dead weight, Mo seemed dead set on Hudson being a starter, wasn't sure of Hicks' role, Matt Carpenter allowed to hang around. It seemed like an incomplete, unfocused roster. With both seasons requiring the acquisition of TWO starters at the deadline, not because of unforeseen injuries but because of inept roster building...

2026:
This org and team seem to have a direction. And personally, I think the rotation and offense have a chance to be better than 2025, which could lead to a better record than many forecast. Either way, it appears to be a CLEAR DIRECTION that can be built on for years to come.

The start of a new season always creates hope and excitement in the air. Then when the season begins and we see how outmatched we are most days, it becomes frustrating and disheartening. Marmol in the dugout really makes it worse.

We have a young team, get them an experienced manager who can provide a winning culture and who knows how to put them in positions to succeed. Marmol does not provide that.

Who hasn't he put in a position to succeed? And is a players inability to succeed, on them? Any of it? Or are they all just good to great players and Oli is holding them back as a manager, and not as a coach?

[Cusecards]

WHY?
In 2019, I felt they had some DIRECTION. Shildt's first full season, newly acquired Goldy, DeJong came off two good seasons, Carp hadn't yet declined deeply, the OF seemed promising, ETC.

2021-2022:
Some of you may have been more excited, but to me, we went into both seasons with starter rotation [shirt] shows, no OF depth, DeJong had become dead weight, Mo seemed dead set on Hudson being a starter, wasn't sure of Hicks' role, Matt Carpenter allowed to hang around. It seemed like an incomplete, unfocused roster. With both seasons requiring the acquisition of TWO starters at the deadline, not because of unforeseen injuries but because of inept roster building...

2026:
This org and team seem to have a direction. And personally, I think the rotation and offense have a chance to be better than 2025, which could lead to a better record than many forecast. Either way, it appears to be a CLEAR DIRECTION that can be built on for years to come.

+1
Don’t know if “excited” describes my feelings but it works!!
The combination of:
*New FO leadership/direction
*New younger players(JJ, Dobbins, Fitts, Mathews, etc)
*Tempered expectations

All of the above has raised my curiosity. And while I would much rather have the “expectations” to be the post season it does seem to relieve the pressure/stress.

Fingers crossed
Go Cards!
*

[dugoutrex]

this is the least excited I have been ... EVER!

[Cardinals4Life]

WHY?
In 2019, I felt they had some DIRECTION. Shildt's first full season, newly acquired Goldy, DeJong came off two good seasons, Carp hadn't yet declined deeply, the OF seemed promising, ETC.

2021-2022:
Some of you may have been more excited, but to me, we went into both seasons with starter rotation [shirt] shows, no OF depth, DeJong had become dead weight, Mo seemed dead set on Hudson being a starter, wasn't sure of Hicks' role, Matt Carpenter allowed to hang around. It seemed like an incomplete, unfocused roster. With both seasons requiring the acquisition of TWO starters at the deadline, not because of unforeseen injuries but because of inept roster building...

2026:
This org and team seem to have a direction. And personally, I think the rotation and offense have a chance to be better than 2025, which could lead to a better record than many forecast. Either way, it appears to be a CLEAR DIRECTION that can be built on for years to come.

The start of a new season always creates hope and excitement in the air. Then when the season begins and we see how outmatched we are most days, it becomes frustrating and disheartening. Marmol in the dugout really makes it worse.

We have a young team, get them an experienced manager who can provide a winning culture and who knows how to put them in positions to succeed. Marmol does not provide that.

Who hasn't he put in a position to succeed? And is a players inability to succeed, on them? Any of it? Or are they all just good to great players and Oli is holding them back as a manager, and not as a coach?

He has handled Jordan Walker really well.
He did a great job with Willson Contreras and allowing his pitchers to publicly force him from behind the plate for a 2 week period.
How many guys does he bench following a big day?
Matthew Liberatore - Starter? Reliever? Starter again?
Zack Thompson, same thing.
Keep running starting P's out there who can't get guys out.
Need I go on?

[scoutyjones2]

WHY?
In 2019, I felt they had some DIRECTION. Shildt's first full season, newly acquired Goldy, DeJong came off two good seasons, Carp hadn't yet declined deeply, the OF seemed promising, ETC.

2021-2022:
Some of you may have been more excited, but to me, we went into both seasons with starter rotation [shirt] shows, no OF depth, DeJong had become dead weight, Mo seemed dead set on Hudson being a starter, wasn't sure of Hicks' role, Matt Carpenter allowed to hang around. It seemed like an incomplete, unfocused roster. With both seasons requiring the acquisition of TWO starters at the deadline, not because of unforeseen injuries but because of inept roster building...

2026:
This org and team seem to have a direction. And personally, I think the rotation and offense have a chance to be better than 2025, which could lead to a better record than many forecast. Either way, it appears to be a CLEAR DIRECTION that can be built on for years to come.

The start of a new season always creates hope and excitement in the air. Then when the season begins and we see how outmatched we are most days, it becomes frustrating and disheartening. Marmol in the dugout really makes it worse.

We have a young team, get them an experienced manager who can provide a winning culture and who knows how to put them in positions to succeed. Marmol does not provide that.

Who hasn't he put in a position to succeed? And is a players inability to succeed, on them? Any of it? Or are they all just good to great players and Oli is holding them back as a manager, and not as a coach?

He has handled Jordan Walker really well.
He did a great job with Willson Contreras and allowing his pitchers to publicly force him from behind the plate for a 2 week period.
How many guys does he bench following a big day?
Matthew Liberatore - Starter? Reliever? Starter again?
Zack Thompson, same thing.
Keep running starting P's out there who can't get guys out.
Need I go on?

Ah the classics that have been regurgitated and rebuffed.

JW wasn't mishandled. He sucks...didn't reciprocate/learn how to counter the league knowing his cryptonite. Still hasn't, and his D isnt better. Is that on a manager or a coach or the player. What do you think a manager does?

willyCon wasn't ready to handle the pitchers thanks to the WBC. The horror of giving him 2 weeks to get to know the pitches his battery mates actually threw.

Not playing the "hot hand"...the cry of gambling addicts everywhere. So and so had a great game yesterday but isn't playing today. Cards need to see what they have, throughout Olis tenure, because he's been handed suspect/prospects for the most part. Except when he wasn't...they won the NL Central.

Libby is maligned on here since the trade, all while not recognizing how young he is..he was given innings they could afford to give him
He's fine and only 26, top starter heading into the season. How horrible for him?

Zach Thompson? LoL. He of the AAA 5.92 ERA?

Olis playing the turdtastic hand he's been given...

[RamFan08NY]

Hear Hear!! +1

Same here +2

[Cardinals4Life]

WHY?
In 2019, I felt they had some DIRECTION. Shildt's first full season, newly acquired Goldy, DeJong came off two good seasons, Carp hadn't yet declined deeply, the OF seemed promising, ETC.

2021-2022:
Some of you may have been more excited, but to me, we went into both seasons with starter rotation [shirt] shows, no OF depth, DeJong had become dead weight, Mo seemed dead set on Hudson being a starter, wasn't sure of Hicks' role, Matt Carpenter allowed to hang around. It seemed like an incomplete, unfocused roster. With both seasons requiring the acquisition of TWO starters at the deadline, not because of unforeseen injuries but because of inept roster building...

2026:
This org and team seem to have a direction. And personally, I think the rotation and offense have a chance to be better than 2025, which could lead to a better record than many forecast. Either way, it appears to be a CLEAR DIRECTION that can be built on for years to come.

The start of a new season always creates hope and excitement in the air. Then when the season begins and we see how outmatched we are most days, it becomes frustrating and disheartening. Marmol in the dugout really makes it worse.

We have a young team, get them an experienced manager who can provide a winning culture and who knows how to put them in positions to succeed. Marmol does not provide that.

Who hasn't he put in a position to succeed? And is a players inability to succeed, on them? Any of it? Or are they all just good to great players and Oli is holding them back as a manager, and not as a coach?

He has handled Jordan Walker really well.
He did a great job with Willson Contreras and allowing his pitchers to publicly force him from behind the plate for a 2 week period.
How many guys does he bench following a big day?
Matthew Liberatore - Starter? Reliever? Starter again?
Zack Thompson, same thing.
Keep running starting P's out there who can't get guys out.
Need I go on?

Ah the classics that have been regurgitated and rebuffed.

JW wasn't mishandled. He sucks...didn't reciprocate/learn how to counter the league knowing his cryptonite. Still hasn't, and his D isnt better. Is that on a manager or a coach or the player. What do you think a manager does?

willyCon wasn't ready to handle the pitchers thanks to the WBC. The horror of giving him 2 weeks to get to know the pitches his battery mates actually threw.

Not playing the "hot hand"...the cry of gambling addicts everywhere. So and so had a great game yesterday but isn't playing today. Cards need to see what they have, throughout Olis tenure, because he's been handed suspect/prospects for the most part. Except when he wasn't...they won the NL Central.

Libby is maligned on here since the trade, all while not recognizing how young he is..he was given innings they could afford to give him
He's fine and only 26, top starter heading into the season. How horrible for him?

Zach Thompson? LoL. He of the AAA 5.92 ERA?

Olis playing the turdtastic hand he's been given...

Wow, this is wrong on so many different points....

[scoutyjones2]

WHY?
In 2019, I felt they had some DIRECTION. Shildt's first full season, newly acquired Goldy, DeJong came off two good seasons, Carp hadn't yet declined deeply, the OF seemed promising, ETC.

2021-2022:
Some of you may have been more excited, but to me, we went into both seasons with starter rotation [shirt] shows, no OF depth, DeJong had become dead weight, Mo seemed dead set on Hudson being a starter, wasn't sure of Hicks' role, Matt Carpenter allowed to hang around. It seemed like an incomplete, unfocused roster. With both seasons requiring the acquisition of TWO starters at the deadline, not because of unforeseen injuries but because of inept roster building...

2026:
This org and team seem to have a direction. And personally, I think the rotation and offense have a chance to be better than 2025, which could lead to a better record than many forecast. Either way, it appears to be a CLEAR DIRECTION that can be built on for years to come.

The start of a new season always creates hope and excitement in the air. Then when the season begins and we see how outmatched we are most days, it becomes frustrating and disheartening. Marmol in the dugout really makes it worse.

We have a young team, get them an experienced manager who can provide a winning culture and who knows how to put them in positions to succeed. Marmol does not provide that.

Who hasn't he put in a position to succeed? And is a players inability to succeed, on them? Any of it? Or are they all just good to great players and Oli is holding them back as a manager, and not as a coach?

He has handled Jordan Walker really well.
He did a great job with Willson Contreras and allowing his pitchers to publicly force him from behind the plate for a 2 week period.
How many guys does he bench following a big day?
Matthew Liberatore - Starter? Reliever? Starter again?
Zack Thompson, same thing.
Keep running starting P's out there who can't get guys out.
Need I go on?

Ah the classics that have been regurgitated and rebuffed.

JW wasn't mishandled. He sucks...didn't reciprocate/learn how to counter the league knowing his cryptonite. Still hasn't, and his D isnt better. Is that on a manager or a coach or the player. What do you think a manager does?

willyCon wasn't ready to handle the pitchers thanks to the WBC. The horror of giving him 2 weeks to get to know the pitches his battery mates actually threw.

Not playing the "hot hand"...the cry of gambling addicts everywhere. So and so had a great game yesterday but isn't playing today. Cards need to see what they have, throughout Olis tenure, because he's been handed suspect/prospects for the most part. Except when he wasn't...they won the NL Central.

Libby is maligned on here since the trade, all while not recognizing how young he is..he was given innings they could afford to give him
He's fine and only 26, top starter heading into the season. How horrible for him?

Zach Thompson? LoL. He of the AAA 5.92 ERA?

Olis playing the turdtastic hand he's been given...

Wow, this is wrong on so many different points....

Of course, but you won't show where