The offseason will be interesting for both teams. Does St Louis get another arm? Do the Reds get a legit 1 and/or another bat.

 

I have a feeling next year won't have a 7 game division leader with 20 or so to play.

 

I agree completely. Both teams will be busy, I can't wait to go to the winter meetings and follow the two.

 

I can't really speak intelligently on what the Reds plans are, but IMO the Reds will use Yonder as trade bait and see who they can get for him, probably a starter. I'm not sure whether they'll bring Arroyo back or not, but if they don't that'll give them some flexibility.

 

The Cards will try and address a few things. 1) Lock up Albert, period. That absolutely has to be the 1st priority. 2) A bat behind Pujols and Holliday. Trading away Ludwick hurt them, but the FO believed they were going to get another player in a trade, which fell through. Now whether this is a 3rd baseman or outfielder who knows. Holliday has already said he would move to RF if the FO can pull in a guy who only plays left field. 3) Do they stick with what they got for the starting rotation and go within? Probably, their money will be tied up in Albert and adding a 2nd baseman, power bat, and 3rd baseman. They build around Carp, Waino, Garcia and have Shelby Miller, who is a stud, ready for the 2012 season.

 

Either way I see a more seasoned Reds squad who has proven themselves and a hungry Cardinals team who embarrassed themselves the year before.

Enjoy it. I thought the same thing last year. Plus, I can guarantee the Cards will be much, much better next year.

 

Just wondering how you are able to personally guarantee that.

Just wondering how you are able to personally guarantee that.

 

Because they are going to improve the team. It's either that or let Albert walk and say we'll rebuild and be back in 3 or 4 years and lose the 40K plus fans who come out every night.

 

The FO had every intention and adding payroll at the deadline, everyone knows that now. It just didn't happen. What would make someone think they won't go out and do that in the winter when they can make it happen?

If you lock up Pujols for say $25-30 million per year, who do you let walk? When you add in Holiday, Carpenter, and Wainwright, you are looking at around $60-70 million in just four players. This from a franchise that hates to top the $100 million mark in payroll. I dont think locking up Pujols for life is the lock Cardinal fans think it is. That $30 million per year can go a long way to bring in two, maybe three players to fill the gaps that are keeping them from overtaking the Reds this year.

 

Not to mention Albert's health becomes more of an issue with each passing year.

Because they are going to improve the team. It's either that or let Albert walk and say we'll rebuild and be back in 3 or 4 years and lose the 40K plus fans who come out every night.

 

The FO had every intention and adding payroll at the deadline, everyone knows that now. It just didn't happen. What would make someone think they won't go out and do that in the winter?

 

 

I'm not saying they won't try, but just how much money do you think they'll be able to spend? They spent a ton of money on Hollliday last year, will have to spend even more to lock up The Machine. I'm not sure of the contract statuses of Wainwright or Carpenter, but I'm sure those will need to be addressed soon. Garcia will no doubt get a raise also. Having Freese back will certainly help, but I just can't see them having enough money to be able to sign a free agent that would be a huge upgrade offensively. Any names you have in mind that you think they might target? What about 2nd and SS? Do you think they will be able to stay with Ryan and Schumaker?

If you lock up Pujols for say $25-30 million per year, who do you let walk? When you add in Holiday, Carpenter, and Wainwright, you are looking at around $60-70 million in just four players. This from a franchise that hates to top the $100 million mark in payroll. I dont think locking up Pujols for life is the lock Cardinal fans think it is. That $30 million per year can go a long way to bring in two, maybe three players to fill the gaps that are keeping them from overtaking the Reds this year.

 

Not to mention Albert's health becomes more of an issue with each passing year.

 

If there were to be an indication that the Cards couldn't re-sign him this winter, then they will trade him away. I couldn't see them just letting him go next year.

 

But it's my opinion that Albert wants to be a Cardinal for the rest of his career and Albert and the FO are going to do everything possible to make that happen.

Something else I just thought of, who's going to be managing this team?

If the Cards resign Pujols for $30 million per year, I dont see them winning consecutive division titles in the next decade. Not unless they decide to loosen the purse strings and bump payroll to the $130-140 million range

I'm not saying they won't try, but just how much money do you think they'll be able to spend? They spent a ton of money on Hollliday last year, will have to spend even more to lock up The Machine. I'm not sure of the contract statuses of Wainwright or Carpenter, but I'm sure those will need to be addressed soon. Garcia will no doubt get a raise also. Having Freese back will certainly help, but I just can't see them having enough money to be able to sign a free agent that would be a huge upgrade offensively. Any names you have in mind that you think they might target? What about 2nd and SS? Do you think they will be able to stay with Ryan and Schumaker?

 

There has been talk of the payroll going to 105 or even 110 for the last few years. Given the complete melt down this year and panic I'd think it's safe to say they'll maybe reach that payroll.

 

Carp is locked up till 2012 and Waino till 2014, I believe. Your right Garcia will see a raise, but it won't be substantial just yet.

 

Keeping Albert could have a lot to do with where LaRussa is. Say they lock up Albert, then I see the team going for more of a Ty Wigington, Brandon Inge type player. Both guys can play solid 3rd base and would be a tremendous upgrade. As far as I know, Freese is not being trusted to be their everyday 3rd baseman due to his long history of injury problems. If they didn't lock up Albert, then they'll be looking at guys like Beltre.

 

I think they'll keep Ryan, who has improved in the 2nd half and his glove is 2nd to none. Skip probably will go back to being a utility guy, which is where he belongs and the Cardinals will look to a guy like Orlando Hudson or Kelly Johnson, if available.

 

If I sounded like I was saying they'll upgrade 3rd 2nd and add a bat via free agency all while locking up Pujols, then I didn't mean too.

 

It'll be more like if they get a power bat in the outfield like Burrell or trade for Ordonez then they won't get a guy like Beltre at third or Kelly Johnson at 2nd. Take the three needs and one is a free agent signing, two is a trade and three is from within the system.

If the Cards resign Pujols for $30 million per year, I dont see them winning consecutive division titles in the next decade. Not unless they decide to loosen the purse strings and bump payroll to the $130-140 million range

 

If Pujols want's 30 million from St. Louis then most likely he wont be a Cardinal next year. 25 is more doable, but your right it'll be tough on the FO to put a team around him. If you asked me, I'd do everything possible to get him back.

I can't wait for next year...

 

Why? St. Louis has like 6 good players and very little money to spend. They have no balance.

If Pujols want's 30 million from St. Louis then most likely he wont be a Cardinal next year. 25 is more doable, but your right it'll be tough on the FO to put a team around him. If you asked me, I'd do everything possible to get him back.

 

He'll be a Cardinal next year either way. They have an option on him for next year.

He'll be a Cardinal next year either way. They have an option on him for next year.

 

Yeah but if they know they can't resign him, then why not trade him?

Yeah but if they know they can't resign him, then why not trade him?

 

Why trade him in the offseason? Why not wait until the deadline and make a move? Get another half season out of the best player in the game.

Why trade him in the offseason? Why not wait until the deadline and make a move? Get another half season out of the best player in the game.

 

Who knows what could happen to Albert. Why not trade him in the offseason when he is coming off a near triple crown year and his stock is high. This is all if the Cards can't re-sign him, but if they can't I can't think of one logical reason to trade him at the deadline. If you do that your wasting another year. If the chemistry in the clubhouse was affected by the Ludwick trade, how bad would it be if Albert was traded mid-season?

 

You trade him this winter and start rebuilding around Holliday, Rasmus, Carpenter and Wainwright.