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KCB – I always list both the positives and the negatives re the Cardinals. Have for many years. Best you probably not tell others “what they need to do”.
Every club may want a stronger feeder system, but few clubs have done it well with a limited budget, like Tampa Bay and Cleveland. And some of those guys are now with the Cardinals. That’s an important thing to note, which is “new news”. I really like the new roving instructors who are specialists at various positions like catcher. And the new major league hitting coach who seems to already be gaining some traction with various players.
And your synopsis of the future, jj, might include all the new equipment and guys who have been brought in to raise the productivity of players coming through the system. You might want to highlight who they are, and what impact they had with their former organizations.
KCB – the only people who lack credibility are those who only look at the negative side of the coin.
I’m actually not wired that way at all, jj. But overall he’s been one of the best owners in baseball over the past 30 years. Unfortunately his attempt to firm up the middle of the lineup with guys like Ozuna, Goldschmidt, and Arenado hasn’t resulted in a return to playing deep into October as he had hoped. Then the perfect storm hit – the regression of Goldschmidt and Arenado, the lack of advancement by Walker and Gorman, coupled with injuries to the pitchers picked up in July of 2023.
At the same time, several teams went even crazier in the free agent market (especially the Dodgers), turning things upside down. He realized that the only way back was to bring in younger guys who had built strong minor league systems in Tampa Bay and Cleveland. He probably should have made that move several years ago. He’s been an overly loyal boss to guys like Mo and Gary LaRocque. Guys whom he has been close to for many years. Senior age tends to do that. The last 2 years especially were a curt wake-up call to him.
JJ – The owners are indeed at fault. Their behavior has made the players feel that the bloated, long term contracts are actually well deserved.
Mikolas and Matz are probably untradeable. Arenado is proving to be the same. They want to hold onto Fedde and Helsley. Pretty much it.
The rebuild is already in motion with the new sophisticated equipment being purchased and the new people in charge of instruction up and down the organization.
14 – Why should he be persona non grata? His job is to set the team up to win. Then we see Goldy and Arenado slide backwards, Walker and Gorman regress, and the pitchers he got in July 2023 go on the IL. Is that his
fault?Baseball fandom is passed on from generation to generation. Problem with that, is that younger generations now are into constant action sports – soccer, hockey, lacrosse, etc. Baseball is too slow for them. Especially now with the 3 result at bat. So many of these bloated long term contracts are going to come back and bite some of the owners. And you can’t proceed on successfully as an industry when 2/3 of the teams have no chance for a championship.
I’m sorry, JJ, but you saying that I “fall in line like a duck” is insulting. We all have a right to our own opinions and don’t need to be insulted for mine. I’ve always relished the young guys coming through the system.
As a former high school, college, and semi-pro pitcher I always cheer for the guys trying to make it. And, yes, when I see what the Dodgers have done and now Bregman’s contract for a sub .800 OPS player I feel there’s a real growing problem in MLB. The lack of a solid salary cap or equitable revenue sharing is going to push MLB to the edge of danger as an industry. But again, that’s JMHO.JJ – That’s right. The compensation bloated players from other teams who actually think playing a sport 8 months out of the year is worth an annual salary of $30 million. Or $40 million like Bregman. You root for those guys. I’ll root for the kids.
The reality of today is actually a good blend of veterans and young players with a high ceiling. If the veterans play up to their contracts, and the young players progress, it’s going to be an exciting season.
Gscottar –
How do you label it “poor performance” when the Cardinals have had at least 90 victories or more in 3 out of the last 5 full seasons? And only 2 losing seasons this century?
Since you can overspend, like teams in the mega markets, you have to improve your player development system. Which they’re doing. I don’t see an issue.
This season seems to be setting up for two fun things –
1.) Cheer for the kids to beat up on the older guys with highly bloated salaries. Who think they’re actually worth it.
2.) Cheer for the underdog.
