It doesn’t hurt the ‘rebuild’ to field an 80-85 win team in the interim.
Thank you Pads. This whole rebuild is about gearing up for 2028. The next two years is about getting rid of the contracts of Arenado, Gray, and Contreras, and contine to build up the minor league infrastructure. All of that should be done before the 2028 season. That is when BDW should turn CB loose.
In the meantime we can pursue two years of 85 win teams or two years of 65 win teams. The former sells more tickets and the latter improves our draft slot. Either way you go it is about getting to 2028.
And by the way trading Arenado, Gray, and Contreras now does not mean we are all of sudden rid of their contracts. Wrong. We are going to be paying on them whether they are here or not. I would rather pay them to play for the Cardinals than some other team. Gray is stil our best starter, Arenado is still an elite defender and will double Gorman’s WAR, and Contreras is one of our OPS leaders.
In two years we will be ready to build a 95 win team. I think going from 85 to 95 is easier than going from 65 to 95.