Post by Matt on Oct 16, 2023 13:57:41 GMT -5
Could the rumors out of the Midwest be true? Is the end near in St Louis?
It's obvious the frustration in the Lou. No championships for a long time. Playoffs have been hit and miss lately as well, with more missing than hitting. "I'm just not sure what to think anymore" said GM Matthew Carpenter, "there is so much that needs help and changed within the organization, but each time we set out to do something, a road block is there." Carpenter refused to go any farther in his response. "Personal frustration doesn't need to expose anyone else involved. I'll figure it out or I won't."
The Redbirds had a quick drought at the end of the 90s where it got ugly in the clubhouse. In 1997 the Cardinals ended up winning the Central division with a 91-71 record. Then there were 2 of the ugliest years of baseball in town. With seasons of 52 (98) and 29 (99) wins, the "Best Fans in Baseball" weren't happy at all. The year 2000 the slump started to end, but 53 wins wasn't anything to write home about. "We tried to keep up in the 90s and it almost cost us. We nearly ran out of any working cash multiple times," sighed Carpenter, "We hated doing what we did, but the whole organization needed a reset from top to bottom."
Boy was he right.
The minor leagues were in shambles. Any of the good prospects the Cardinals had were traded to keep up. They had at least 1 year where they didn't have any their top draft picks because they had traded them for Jason Schmidt to try and chase down another division title and more. It didn't work. But the 3 years of futility does have some silver lining. Drafted over that couple of years were roster mainstays Josh Beckett, Brandon Phillips, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina. "Some good did come out of those years," quipped Carpenter, "but we also had that Prior kid that we let get away." Speaking of current Giant starter Mark Prior who the Cardinals shipped to Tampa in a huge deal to get them current starter Edgar Ramos and former OF/DH Bruce Aven. "We needed a front line guy and a big bat to make a push in 2003, so we decided it was best to deal Prior out of the options we had...which we certainly regret at this point given Prior's development since then."
Wainwright, Molina, Phillips and Beckett have all been part of the big league club for a few seasons now, each to varying success rates.
SS Brandon Phillips bounced between positions for a couple of years before he took over the shortstop position full time. He struggled last season and missed over a month due to an injury. He's looking to bounce back from that injury this season and prove he deserves his spot in the lineup daily. His average is down a little, but seems to be on the rise the past month or so, hitting 281 in July. His power flashes every once in a while, but not the consistency that's needed for the organization.
SP Josh Beckett seems to have figured something out after signing his extension last season. Currently Having one of the better seasons of his career with an ERA of 3.76 and a 10-7 record. He realizes he's got work to do to improve before his next extension if he's going to make the big bucks.
SP Adam Wainwright has really found his stuff. Since being drafted he's looked forward to this season. He's got a career best ERA of 2.76 with 17 quality starts and 3 complete games. "I really think I've found everything I Need to be successful for the organization, now I just have to continue to replicate and improve to help the rest of the guys on the staff. Carpenter, on Wainwright: "He's got the chance to be special He's locked in for a long time and we're looking forward to him turning into an something really special and hopefully lead us back to great success."
Lastly is catcher Yadier Molina. Taken with the 14th pick of the 2000 draft, the Cardinals hoped he'd develop into an everyday player...and so far he has. He's having a career year at the plate, already matched his career high in homeruns. Coming off back to back Gold Gloves, the organization is happy with his growth. "Yadi is just one of those natural leaders. He does everything he has to on and off the field for the players to want to get better to keep up," Said Carpenter. "Hopefully he continues to work to become a better ball player, because we all know he still wants to be better than he is."
While all of that is good and dandy with 4 guys, it takes 25 to make a roster and the Cardinals are struggling to fill the roster the way they want to do it. "We've tried. We're just at a point we're not sure what to do. Free Agency has been a miss the past couple of seasons because the big names either don't like the organization or they sign contracts that become an albatross and lose value quickly that would really put us in a hole. We've lost our organizational depth and don't have much that would help ready to go in the minors." Guys like Happ, Aoki, DeAza and Prado all seem to be ready, but the ones that have been in the bigs have struggled mightily. "I'm not sure what it is, but I guess some guys just aren't made for the big leagues," replied Carpenter. "There's lots of factors out there, but it's not worth the time or effort to explain. Too many guys have figured out how to cheat the system and everyone else gets left behind with no rhyme, reason or say so in the matter because, well, nevermind. No further comment."
As the Cardinals spin their wheels again this year, the question remains out there: Will there be changes in the front office? Guess we'll find out soon enough!
It's obvious the frustration in the Lou. No championships for a long time. Playoffs have been hit and miss lately as well, with more missing than hitting. "I'm just not sure what to think anymore" said GM Matthew Carpenter, "there is so much that needs help and changed within the organization, but each time we set out to do something, a road block is there." Carpenter refused to go any farther in his response. "Personal frustration doesn't need to expose anyone else involved. I'll figure it out or I won't."
The Redbirds had a quick drought at the end of the 90s where it got ugly in the clubhouse. In 1997 the Cardinals ended up winning the Central division with a 91-71 record. Then there were 2 of the ugliest years of baseball in town. With seasons of 52 (98) and 29 (99) wins, the "Best Fans in Baseball" weren't happy at all. The year 2000 the slump started to end, but 53 wins wasn't anything to write home about. "We tried to keep up in the 90s and it almost cost us. We nearly ran out of any working cash multiple times," sighed Carpenter, "We hated doing what we did, but the whole organization needed a reset from top to bottom."
Boy was he right.
The minor leagues were in shambles. Any of the good prospects the Cardinals had were traded to keep up. They had at least 1 year where they didn't have any their top draft picks because they had traded them for Jason Schmidt to try and chase down another division title and more. It didn't work. But the 3 years of futility does have some silver lining. Drafted over that couple of years were roster mainstays Josh Beckett, Brandon Phillips, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina. "Some good did come out of those years," quipped Carpenter, "but we also had that Prior kid that we let get away." Speaking of current Giant starter Mark Prior who the Cardinals shipped to Tampa in a huge deal to get them current starter Edgar Ramos and former OF/DH Bruce Aven. "We needed a front line guy and a big bat to make a push in 2003, so we decided it was best to deal Prior out of the options we had...which we certainly regret at this point given Prior's development since then."
Wainwright, Molina, Phillips and Beckett have all been part of the big league club for a few seasons now, each to varying success rates.
SS Brandon Phillips bounced between positions for a couple of years before he took over the shortstop position full time. He struggled last season and missed over a month due to an injury. He's looking to bounce back from that injury this season and prove he deserves his spot in the lineup daily. His average is down a little, but seems to be on the rise the past month or so, hitting 281 in July. His power flashes every once in a while, but not the consistency that's needed for the organization.
SP Josh Beckett seems to have figured something out after signing his extension last season. Currently Having one of the better seasons of his career with an ERA of 3.76 and a 10-7 record. He realizes he's got work to do to improve before his next extension if he's going to make the big bucks.
SP Adam Wainwright has really found his stuff. Since being drafted he's looked forward to this season. He's got a career best ERA of 2.76 with 17 quality starts and 3 complete games. "I really think I've found everything I Need to be successful for the organization, now I just have to continue to replicate and improve to help the rest of the guys on the staff. Carpenter, on Wainwright: "He's got the chance to be special He's locked in for a long time and we're looking forward to him turning into an something really special and hopefully lead us back to great success."
Lastly is catcher Yadier Molina. Taken with the 14th pick of the 2000 draft, the Cardinals hoped he'd develop into an everyday player...and so far he has. He's having a career year at the plate, already matched his career high in homeruns. Coming off back to back Gold Gloves, the organization is happy with his growth. "Yadi is just one of those natural leaders. He does everything he has to on and off the field for the players to want to get better to keep up," Said Carpenter. "Hopefully he continues to work to become a better ball player, because we all know he still wants to be better than he is."
While all of that is good and dandy with 4 guys, it takes 25 to make a roster and the Cardinals are struggling to fill the roster the way they want to do it. "We've tried. We're just at a point we're not sure what to do. Free Agency has been a miss the past couple of seasons because the big names either don't like the organization or they sign contracts that become an albatross and lose value quickly that would really put us in a hole. We've lost our organizational depth and don't have much that would help ready to go in the minors." Guys like Happ, Aoki, DeAza and Prado all seem to be ready, but the ones that have been in the bigs have struggled mightily. "I'm not sure what it is, but I guess some guys just aren't made for the big leagues," replied Carpenter. "There's lots of factors out there, but it's not worth the time or effort to explain. Too many guys have figured out how to cheat the system and everyone else gets left behind with no rhyme, reason or say so in the matter because, well, nevermind. No further comment."
As the Cardinals spin their wheels again this year, the question remains out there: Will there be changes in the front office? Guess we'll find out soon enough!
