Rebuild or Reload: Cardinal Bloggers Weigh In

Twice every year, a group of which I am a member, known as the UCB (United Cardinals Bloggers) has a “roundtable” discussion about a myriad of Cardinals Baseball subjects. Yesterday it was my turn to pose a question, and upon reviewing the responses I felt they would be entertaining fodder for the good readers of InsideSTL as well.

I'd encourage you to also check out the UCB and other blog sites linked below. This a credible, intelligent group of writers...even with an ass like me participating from time to time. My question was this:

“The Cardinals may very well be close enough to compensate for 2010's multiple shortcomings and compete in 2011. However, the front office is hamstrung by a number of pending considerations. Notably, the resigning of Albert Pujols and the looming decision of whether Tony La Russa returns for a 16th season.

Pretend for a moment that you subscribe to my belief that the Cardinals are straddling the fence of "legitimate postseason contenders" and "rebuilding with greater long-term success in mind". Pretend you are the GM. Do you go all in for 2011 glory? Or do you begin the overhaul?

But let's make it interesting. In this imaginary scenario, you MUST either win a championship within 6 years OR Mark Cuban will purchase the team, move them to Boise, put a Ferris wheel in center, and serve everyone only Old Style.”

Six...it's a serious number.

The answers were primarily “Champions or Bust in 2011”, but most everyone felt so for reasons all their own. Given all the bitching that has taken place all season, I found this encouraging. These are partial responses, and several other excellent bloggers chimed in. For the entire transcript, check out the UCB site.

Daniel @ C70 at the Bat: I've always thought a Ferris wheel would add a ton of class to a ballpark. Given the caveat that the playoffs are a crap shoot, that the best team doesn't necessarily win the whole ball of wax, if I had to take next year or the field for the best chance of a Cardinal championship, I'd go next year.

Tom @ Cardinals GM: I prefer to reload, not rebuild. The 2011 version can look much different and be competitive. At Social Media Night John Mozeliak said four regular spots are assured. Those are first base, catcher, left field and center field. We can fill in the spots with some thought. Brendan Ryan is a stalwart at shortstop and seems to be a preferred starter by many of the regulars. Beyond that, I believe the rest can be and should be replaced. Spend some middling dollars and get offensive help. Up the middle is needing help at second base so that is a need. I don't get the "warm and fuzzy " feeling with Freese at third and believe he is not the answer. An outfielder in left or right could fit the bill and sign Westbrook for no more than 2yr/$15M. One left handed reliever and we can go to Spring Training. I am not one that believe we look years into the future...Remember, I watched the futility of the Cards in the 70's and 90's.

Erika @ Cardinal Diamond Diaries: Looking back on 2010, my initial reaction to the question of Do We Go For It All in 2011 or Rebuild? is “but we had a Championship caliber roster going into this past season?!” I still cannot quite wrap my brain around what happened. Nevertheless, both my heart and my gut say the Cardinals GO FOR IT again in 2011. With Pujols and Holliday plus our 3 golden pitching arms in Wainwright, Carpenter and Garcia, the Cardinals have too much potential to waste. Play to win, baby!

DJ @ Welcome to Baseball Heaven: The simple answer to the scenario in question would be to go for 2011. As we stand right now next year will be the last year that we have a guarantee of Albert Pujols wearing the birds on the bat. Combine that we the fact we had a championship caliber team that failed to meet expectations in 2010. With John Mozeliak's intentions of adding two 15-20 homerun guys I think we're on the right track at least. My biggest areas of concern for next season are middle infield (2B), outfield depth, third base, and the back end of the rotation. As far as the middle infield's concerned it appears that Skip's the odd man out. Brendan Ryan had a terrible offensive season but made up for it with his glove. Skip's conversion to second has made him an average to below average hitter and below average fielder at the position. My solution is to bring in a true second baseman who can help fill the offensive void. Have Skip fill the utility spot vacated by Flip where he can see time in the infield and outfield off the bench.

Jacqueline @ Cardinal Diamond Diaries: You had me at “Cardinals may very well be close enough to compete in 2011”. Absolutely keep the core of players that we have now and add the missing elements that were so glaringly evident this season. I have no problem going all in for next year, even with the caveat I have six years until hell freezes over and Mark Cuban moves us all to Idaho. We all know our core is arguably the best in the majors. Having Pujols, Holliday, Rasmus and Molina along with the best starting rotation outside of the Phillies in Wainwright, Carpenter, and Garcia, is a lineup most any GM would give up his left arm for. Or at least his trophy wife. We have a decent bullpen and Franklin is in good form as closer. I’m not sure about Jay or Craig for fulltime-make it through the whole season- right fielders, but they make outstanding bench depth or maybe some trade bait. Same for Skip. The 2nd base experiment is over. I don’t like ferris wheels much, nor will you catch me drinkin Old Style. Unless I’m desperate.

Me, well, I'm still on the fence. I think we would all like to be upbeat about the club's chances with their existing core that so many other teams would salivate over, but what the hell happened this year? That Mozeliak has said, anyone not named Pujols, Wainwright, Holliday, or Molina is not guaranteed a job in 2011 may be the most encouraging news I have heard. I personally would include Carpenter and Garcia in that group and exchange just about every other misshapen piece of this puzzle if possible, even if that means merely trading apples for apples. Does that constitute a “blow up”? I'm not sure. But it sure would send one hell of a message to those added and those left standing.

But two things are certain...the status quo was not good enough and the 'ol Comedy Central isn't getting any funnier. Well, except for maybe Cincinnati's performance last night.

P.S. I heart Roy Halladay.

Justin Adams is a freelance writer and staff writer at i70baseball.com. HIs column can be found here every Thursday at InsideSTL. Follow him on Twitter @Intangiball