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sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:28 am Good morning.

Over night thought. Could the rebuild drag on for 3-5 more years. If not a rebuild, then a down turn.

Given that, JJ will be in Arb years, approaching FA. If he turns into stud, we can’t afford him. So we are limited on years on the team.

So isn’t it a fact we got 5 ish years to become competitive, build the core, and then compete, before his status is an issue.

We are young pitcher heavy now, and infielder heavy. We will saturate the outfield next. Then lock out.

Any thing here.

OldRed wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:34 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:28 am Good morning.

Over night thought. Could the rebuild drag on for 3-5 more years. If not a rebuild, then a down turn.

Given that, JJ will be in Arb years, approaching FA. If he turns into stud, we can’t afford him. So we are limited on years on the team.

So isn’t it a fact we got 5 ish years to become competitive, build the core, and then compete, before his status is an issue.

We are young pitcher heavy now, and infielder heavy. We will saturate the outfield next. Then lock out.

Any thing here.

This could be a real problem. With that problem will continue to decline no matter what kind of "give a ways" they have. They will have to "catch" lightening in a bottle for things to improve over the next 3-5 years. And I will add, make TV viewing easier for the casual fan to keep interest alive.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:28 am Good morning.

Over night thought. Could the rebuild drag on for 3-5 more years. If not a rebuild, then a down turn.

Given that, JJ will be in Arb years, approaching FA. If he turns into stud, we can’t afford him. So we are limited on years on the team.

So isn’t it a fact we got 5 ish years to become competitive, build the core, and then compete, before his status is an issue.

We are young pitcher heavy now, and infielder heavy. We will saturate the outfield next. Then lock out.

Any thing here.

ramfandan wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:41 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:28 am Good morning.

Over night thought. Could the rebuild drag on for 3-5 more years. If not a rebuild, then a down turn.

Given that, JJ will be in Arb years, approaching FA. If he turns into stud, we can’t afford him. So we are limited on years on the team.

So isn’t it a fact we got 5 ish years to become competitive, build the core, and then compete, before his status is an issue.

We are young pitcher heavy now, and infielder heavy. We will saturate the outfield next. Then lock out.

Any thing here.

My take is that if JJ becomes a star player and face if the franchise, Bloom will do everything to sign him to long term deal at market price. When Isay long term , 7 years plus
Similar to what low payroll Brewers did when they locked up Christian Yelich many years back as he emerged a star player.

ramfandan wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:41 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:28 am Good morning.

Over night thought. Could the rebuild drag on for 3-5 more years. If not a rebuild, then a down turn.

Given that, JJ will be in Arb years, approaching FA. If he turns into stud, we can’t afford him. So we are limited on years on the team.

So isn’t it a fact we got 5 ish years to become competitive, build the core, and then compete, before his status is an issue.

We are young pitcher heavy now, and infielder heavy. We will saturate the outfield next. Then lock out.

Any thing here.

My take is that if JJ becomes a star player and face if the franchise, Bloom will do everything to sign him to long term deal at market price. When Isay long term , 7 years plus
Similar to what low payroll Brewers did when they locked up Christian Yelich many years back as he emerged a star player.

Currently on Cardinals , it appears that Winn and JJ would be the two guys to pay big bucks to keep.. and surround them with good complimentary players. If they get a big home run guy thru the draft, that could be the 3rd .
Retaining an ace pitcher is much tougher as their salaries are super high.

ramfandan wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:46 am

ramfandan wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:41 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:28 am Good morning.

Over night thought. Could the rebuild drag on for 3-5 more years. If not a rebuild, then a down turn.

Given that, JJ will be in Arb years, approaching FA. If he turns into stud, we can’t afford him. So we are limited on years on the team.

So isn’t it a fact we got 5 ish years to become competitive, build the core, and then compete, before his status is an issue.

We are young pitcher heavy now, and infielder heavy. We will saturate the outfield next. Then lock out.

Any thing here.

My take is that if JJ becomes a star player and face if the franchise, Bloom will do everything to sign him to long term deal at market price. When Isay long term , 7 years plus
Similar to what low payroll Brewers did when they locked up Christian Yelich many years back as he emerged a star player.

Currently on Cardinals , it appears that Winn and JJ would be the two guys to pay big bucks to keep.. and surround them with good complimentary players. If they get a big home run guy thru the draft, that could be the 3rd .
Retaining an ace pitcher is much tougher as their salaries are super high.

HorseTrader wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:49 am I wouldn't be surprised if the next CBA cuts the the FA time down. Maybe to the point that they become free agents after 4 years.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:44 am

ramfandan wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:41 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:28 am Good morning.

Over night thought. Could the rebuild drag on for 3-5 more years. If not a rebuild, then a down turn.

Given that, JJ will be in Arb years, approaching FA. If he turns into stud, we can’t afford him. So we are limited on years on the team.

So isn’t it a fact we got 5 ish years to become competitive, build the core, and then compete, before his status is an issue.

We are young pitcher heavy now, and infielder heavy. We will saturate the outfield next. Then lock out.

Any thing here.

My take is that if JJ becomes a star player and face if the franchise, Bloom will do everything to sign him to long term deal at market price. When Isay long term , 7 years plus
Similar to what low payroll Brewers did when they locked up Christian Yelich many years back as he emerged a star player.

Your scenario covers 7-8 years, plenty long enough for a rebuild to be effective and productive. This we enjoy the JJ years; however. If we don’t sign long term, does the initial scenario become more dire.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:51 am

HorseTrader wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:49 am I wouldn't be surprised if the next CBA cuts the the FA time down. Maybe to the point that they become free agents after 4 years.

That was a thought. Even less time to build.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026 07:28 am Good morning.

Over night thought. Could the rebuild drag on for 3-5 more years. If not a rebuild, then a down turn.

Given that, JJ will be in Arb years, approaching FA. If he turns into stud, we can’t afford him. So we are limited on years on the team.

So isn’t it a fact we got 5 ish years to become competitive, build the core, and then compete, before his status is an issue.

We are young pitcher heavy now, and infielder heavy. We will saturate the outfield next. Then lock out.

Any thing here.