
It’s Clear the St. Louis Cardinals Don’t Know What a Reset Is
I can't remember a more frustrating time to be a St. Louis Cardinals fan. After a couple of down seasons, many lifelong fans like myself were prepared for the 'reset' that was promised by the baseball organization. Now, I'm convinced that the St. Louis Cardinals don't know what a reset really means.
I won't assume you know that I have been (and will always remain) a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. To clarify where I'm coming from, I am not part of the fanbase that is constantly calling for the firing of manager Oli Marmol. I also am very optimistic about the younger players on our team and in our system. I would estimate I'm in the top 20% of the happiest Cardinals fans since I'm not storming the castle with torches (yet).
All that being said, I am frustrated at what has and hasn't been done this winter. The St. Louis Cardinals told us at the end of last season they would be resetting with a focus on rebuilding player development and the minor league system. Many new coaches and organizational guideposts were hired and that is a positive step. Here are things that prove that your and my idea of what a "reset" means to a baseball club don't jive with what John Mozeliak and the current Cardinals management think it means.
The St. Louis Cardinals have held on to nearly all of their veteran pitchers
The team said they wanted to give young players a chance to show what they've got in 2025 yet we still have Stephen Matz, Erik Fedde and Miles Mikolas. Yes, Miles has a no-trade clause, but there hasn't even been any real discussion about moving the others to make way for Quinn Matthews, Michael McGreevy or Andre Pallante.
The Cardinals have refused to trade Ryan Helsley and yet haven't offered him an extension either
I am a big Ryan Helsley fan, but we don't need a shut-down closer for 2025. We do need the haul of young talent trading him would bring. I would be thrilled if the Cardinals were doing this because they genuinely believe they can sign him to a long-term contract, but he's more or less said that the team hasn't offered an extension yet.
The Cardinals have been unable to trade Nolan Arenado and never should have talked about it if it were not a done deal
I am glad Nolan Arenado became a Cardinal a few years ago and respect him for honoring his promise to not opt out of his contract. My family even went to his bobblehead day which ironically was a game he didn't play in because of a suspension. I am mystified at what has happened this off-season between him and the Cardinals. I'll never understand why John Mozeliak actually said out loud that the team was trying to trade him. He later said he regretted that statement, but it's too late now. After Nolan vetoed a trade to the Houston Astros, now he's in limbo while teams wait to see where Alex Bregman will sign. I still think there's a chance that Arenado gets traded before the season starts, but, it very well could end up with lots of awkward questions from the sports writers in Spring Training about why he's still here.
I would love to see what Nolan Gorman could do playing everyday at third base and it looks like J.J. Wetherholt will be a special player once he arrives with the big team. The problem is the opportunities for these young guys to play might be limited because the current management doesn't understand what a real reset means.
John Mozeliak has tried to explain the St. Louis Cardinals off-season by saying that he doesn't want to make long-term decisions that incoming President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom will have to deal with. Fair enough, but I must ask why you came back for another year if you were not going to do anything? I'm likely not alone in wishing that Bloom had just been given the reigns this season so we could get the changes made so we can win again.
Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in about 2 weeks followed by the rest of the players days later. How many of the young guys will get to play? That depends on how much real resetting the team can accomplish before opening day.
Inside Yadier Molina's St. Louis Mansion
Gallery Credit: Gina Bundy with GLADYS MANION, INC, Realtor.com
More From 100.9 The Eagle, The Tri-States' Classic Rock Station








