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The bar for “success” next season will be positioned low. The team can do better than this year and still be bad, but things will be “moving in the right direction”. That will kick the can down the road another year. Jr is 81 and I think Mo’s marching orders are to kick that can a year at a time and pocket as much of the take as possible. I think that’s what we’ve been seeing for a few years now, with all the dumpster diving and pulling a rabbit out of the hat at the trade deadline to limp us across the finish line. There’s no limping over the line this year, Mo as much as said so in that interview. Thet guy with a shovel wheeling a trash can along behind the clydesdales will just scoop us up and that will be that.
Could go the other way too. Gussie Jr. loosened up the bankroll as he approached his twilight years. Seemed like he wanted Whitey to provide one more taste of a championship. Maybe Billy Jr. will take on a similar mindset and go for the gusto one last time before he packs his bags and says goodbye.
Can someone provide the cliff notes to the Mo interview? I keep the computer volume off while at work and don’t always have time at home either. My wife prefers that I watch tv with her instead of peruse this site. Go figure.
I thought Mo was mostly realistic in the interview. He said deadline deals would not be just giving players away, but they are open to dealing guys if they can get value back and help for 2024. He also said realistically since May it has looked like this team will not be competing for a post season spot.
He did lament some on Liberatore not taking the next step, but did not bring up the fact that Libby was solid in his first start, then was not used until a bullpen appearance. Then he was not used again and finally made some starts. Maybe that questionable handling had something to do with his struggles.
He mentioned how at the time moving Arozarena and Garcia made sense, but looking back those were mistakes. He also said they had some opportunities in the off season to do a couple of things and looking now they wish they would have done them. You wonder what those were.
Attendance will likely stay strong for awhile, but consistent losing will take it’s toll. And still, no matter how well they draw, I doubt DeWitt is happy about a loser. You will never generate the revenues losing that you will winning. So saying DeWitt is happy as long as the fans are there is only half true – winning brings in more fans, builds loyalty, and that creates sustainable value.
Haha! My wife won’t allow me to watch TV with her. She doesn’t appreciate my witty anecdotes while she’s watching reruns of Golden Girls and Sex in the City…I can’t imagine why.
I found a recap on MLBTR.
Mozeliak: Cardinals’ Deadline Focus Will Be On 2024 Clubhttps://t.co/vZlXbVl3F5 pic.twitter.com/vuRjy6sNNd
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 12, 2023
Mo said Ollie and the coaching staff have done a great job. He said they wanted to keep the core of the team together and supplement it. Mentioned injuries and WBC, team didn’t gell this spring and got off to bad start.
Yeah this is an interesting quote:
As for the coaching, Mozeliak doesn’t lay any blame at the foot of second-year manager Oli Marmol. “I don’t think the coaches have any fault in this,” Mozeliak said. “They are handed the players. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. But I think Oli and his group do a really good job. They work really hard. And, you know, they continue to do that. But they’re level of frustration is probably as real as the fan base.” Marmol’s first season at the helm resulted in a 90-72 record and a Wild Card spot. The results haven’t been there this season but it seems like he’s likely to get another shot with a different roster next year.
One item I found interesting. Not interesting in and of itself, but that Mo would say it out loud. As to free agents to be Flaherty, Montgomery, Stratton and Hicks, he said ” “Our hope is we can get more than just the pick, and so that will be what we try to do.” Resigning did not even rate a mention as the other theoretical option. That, with half a season left to play. Its going to be real awkward if any of them are still here after the deadline. Having a lame duck in the clubhouse isn’t too great of an idea.
Yeah, Mo is supporting the field management team. Realistically they do share the blame and have made mistakes. That was one place he is seeing through red colored glasses.0
Sounds like Mo was refreshingly candid…that is new and welcome for me. I’m surprised that he said they would be focusing on 2024. Usually they hold on till the end but I guess he sees that this year is probably lost. If that is the case then the deadline moves could be serious.
the deadline moves could be serious.
I don’t know Nathan. Mo said he wants to keep the core together. To me that means he will be looking to trade the FAs, which are 70 game rentals at this point, and some complementary guys that aren’t seen as core pieces going forward. I am not sure just how ‘serious’ a return you can get for that.
I agree Nate, “refreshingly candid” and Mo wasn’t looking for a scapegoat, he owned it.
He kept saying “we” and I took that to mean he and Bill. I suspect Bill is extremely hands on, more than we know.
But how they could be optimistic about the pitching staff this winter is beyond me, unless Bill just talked everyone into the cheaper in-house options.
“We won’t be using the current model.” Good, I wasn’t in favor of it all winter.
One area I thought was interesting was the part about Wainwright. Mo said something to the effect that with all Waino has done for the organization, he will be given another opportunity. But he then said that it may not work out and be time to “turn the page.”
That sounds like if Waino cannot successfully come back with us and wants to pitch again, it could very well be for a different team. With the Braves flying high, I can see a scenario where Adam ends the season with his home town team and hopefully goes out with a championship.
bling said:
Having a lame duck in the clubhouse isn’t too great of an idea.
You are so right. That could tank the season. 😉
bikemike, I agree that would be a fairy tale scenario – from Waino’s perspective – if they would agree to start him. On the other hand, I can’t imagine why the Braves would sign him and start him if he isn’t good enough to start for the last place Cardinals. Atlanta already has a strong rotation and their team ERA is the lowest in MLB. My guess is he would instead go somewhere he can start as it appears his goal is 200 wins.
For the Braves to sign him it would have to be more of a sentimental deal than actual pitching help, with maybe a touch of hope thinking “It would be great if he could somehow find the magic again.”
Maybe they bring him on in September, and let him pitch the 9th inning of the division clincher for example (assuming they are ahead by a comfortable margin).
I know he and the Cardinals want to find some way he can walk into the sunset on a high note. But the way this season has gone, it might be fitting for that to happen with his home team.
Again, I think the reason he came back for 2023 is to reach 200 career wins. I suspect he might prefer to retire as a career Cardinal with 198 wins rather than go somewhere else and end with 198 wins. But only he knows how he feels.
I heard it different. One more chance to start, if not successful, to the pen or IL. I did not interpret “one more” as another season.
I agree, jj. I did not mean to imply he would pitch in 2024. He already said he will retire after 2023. No reason for him to change his mind.
The POBO has politely punted on 2023. Nothing to lose this season by putting Adam in the pen and pitching him in late tie games. So he gets shelled? So what.
Adam already has 2 reliever wins during his career, and 4 total would get him to 200 wins, to go with a red jacket. I think the odds are better for two vulture wins, than two starter wins.
If Flaherty and Montgomery are gone, who knows what will come back. Theoretically, we might need Wainwright to start if he gets off the IL. Like Brian suggests, we don’t have to worry about tanking our season.
I would think Waino would prefer to finish here. I just thought it was an interesting phrase Mo used when he said they may need to “turn the page” when it comes to his status.
If he is done as a starter, there will be some scenarios where we are tied relatively late in a game, and Waino can come in and be the pitcher of record. But I think he is going to put together at least one more winnable start.
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