- This topic has 280 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 7 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
A question for the group. We are around a month removed from completion of the WBC. The Cardinals had several players compete this year. Do you think it helped, hindered or had no effect on the players readiness for the major league regular season? For building team chemistry?
The WBC was a non issue. Let’s close the door on that folks.
Too much other crap going on with this team in the now to blame something that was going on a month ago or whatever it was.
Too much other crap going on with this team in the now to blame something that was going on a month ago
I don’t know. It could be argued the ‘crap’ has been going on for a month so it is plausible to blame something that happened a month ago. Having a bunch of guys, including essentially all of the team leader contingent, bail right in the middle of getting ready for the season could have had an effect, and it could be lasting. Leaving the team to pursue a personal agenda isn’t necessarily a characteristic of an effective leader.
I happen to think it goes back a lot further than that. Maybe the Schildt firing has caused anything that might be clubhouse leadership to just keep its head down and its mouth shut. Maybe Oli’s coaching staff riding off over the hill after the post season debacle has some meaning and some effect we can only guess at. We don’t know. But something is wrong, we do know that.
I am not a fan of the WBC at all but I can’t tell you for sure if it has hampered our performance or chemistry. It is possible but would be difficult to prove. Waino got hurt and Arenado, Noot, and Mikolas have had slow starts. Is that because of the WBC? Again, it is possible but very subjective. On the other hand Goldy and Gallegos have looked fine.
I will say that I was pleased that Contreras refused to play in the WBC because he felt it was important to be with his new team and learn the pitchers. I don’t know if it has worked but I appreciate the effort.
I don’t think the WBC is a big factor. Some other teams who had significant participation are doing well, but yes the Cardinals situation could be different and maybe it did hurt them some.
There are a couple of much bigger reasons for the struggles. The pitching was going to be weak regardless. Add to that management’s insistence on playing an OF defense that is shaky at best, and can give up the occasional little league run at worst. WBC had no impact on opting to go with weak OF defense when other options exist, especially considering weaker, pitch to contact hurlers really need strong defense backing them up.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.