"not worthy of its own thread" offseason thread

[heyzeus]

The success of the Cubs and Astros has been a boon to the owners. Now, there is a model to hold up to the fans to get buy-in for going cheap. Now, teams can cut costs and lose games with impunity, present it as savvy rebuilding, and get buy-in from fans.

If they reboot the movie "Major League," the owner won't be trying to tank in order to move the team, she'll be tanking in order to stockpile draft picks and prospects. Oh, and she'll be presented as the heroine, not the villain.

I know you're joking, but sadly we are at a point when many fans actually praise teams for tanking. I hate tanking because it lets some major league teams charge big league prices for minor-league baseball. The fans lose when teams are allowed to tank, and this year promises to be among the worst tanking seasons ever. You can argue that a third of the teams in baseball are tanking, and that's a damn shame.
by jortiz 3:28 PM

If they reboot the movie "Major League," the owner won't be trying to tank in order to move the team, she'll be tanking in order to stockpile draft picks and prospects. Oh, and she'll be presented as the heroine, not the villain.
by mozeliaks off-kilter bow tie 3:26 PM

Whoa, that bow tie thought the same thing that I thought!

[MinorLeagueGuy]

Casey Stern on ESPN 101, flat out called ownership "Liars" with the BS they've shoved down our throats. Said Fans deserve better. That ownership is deliberately being "cheap", while waiting out this Chic run of success. That they're tying their own hands by going with a "closer by commity, that never works". He's convinced StL will react very poorly if they're served another go-hum season.

[letsgocards89]

Casey Stern on ESPN 101, flat out called ownership "Liars" with the BS they've shoved down our throats. Said Fans deserve better. That ownership is deliberately being "cheap", while waiting out this Chic run of success. That they're tying their own hands by going with a "closer by commity, that never works". He's convinced StL will react very poorly if they're served another go-hum season.

Dang, that's bold. I don't disagree but it's pretty rare to hear a national guy rip on ownership that hard when they call in to the local shows.

[MinorLeagueGuy]

Casey Stern on ESPN 101, flat out called ownership "Liars" with the BS they've shoved down our throats. Said Fans deserve better. That ownership is deliberately being "cheap", while waiting out this Chic run of success. That they're tying their own hands by going with a "closer by commity, that never works". He's convinced StL will react very poorly if they're served another go-hum season.

Dang, that's bold. I don't disagree but it's pretty rare to hear a national guy rip on ownership that hard when they call in to the local shows.

He said in theory it was fine that their not spending, to a point. But its the whole way the FO talks to the fan base that bothers him; apologizing for poor roster setup one year, then turning around and doing it again the next. They're blowing smoke. He said he believes the FO has conceded to chic for the foreseeable future, because in a bidding war(our spending vs theirs) we would go broke. But that no excuse not to chase the other contenders for the WC. Which he believe we haven't done enough of; closer, starter, etc.

[Big Amoco Sign]

I don't think that will happen. Most fans I know aren't Fangraphs reading types. Anecdotal, yes, but I think if they miss the playoffs, it's not going to affect the turnout too much. Still a lot of baby boomers and still not much to do in STL BESIDES seeing baseball. It dominates the entertainment sector of the city.

That said, I think they do want to win. I think they just like winning a certain type of way and they're stubborn on their philosophy.

[MinorLeagueGuy]

I think the assumption there is, that we'll be playing good clean baseball but still losing. That wouldn't peev the boomers as much as playing sloppy baseball and losing. Which we have done for 2 years and counting... At the heart of baseball are FUNDAMENTALS. And there's nothing that an old school baseball fan hates more than lackadaisical, poor fundamentals. That is a tangible facet of being a fan.

[Hoot45]

Still a lot of baby boomers and still not much to do in STL BESIDES seeing baseball. It dominates the entertainment sector of the city.

This made me LOL

[Big Amoco Sign]

I thought they fixed the defense dramatically in 2017 versus 2016.

Not sure how much it goes up with Ozuna replacing Piscotty.

[tlombard]

I honestly believe that having Oquendo around day to day will improve the defense as well. I may be a fool but I really do believe he'll make some difference. Not to mention possibly my all time favorite Cardinal/person... Willie McGee working with the outfield and base running.

[cardsfantx]

1 year 6.5 mil for LoMo.

not a huge fan, but i'd like some of that action