So how do you feel about the Cardinals rebuild?

[TheoSqua]

Now that the team seems to have a decent prospect pool and are exceeding expectations, how do you feel about the last few years?

This team hasn't magically turned into a world series contender, but it's obvious that some of the moves made to rebuild the team are working this season.

Is this luck? Does Mo deserve more credit than he's gotten? Does this change your feeling about Cardinals ownership? Will a more competitive team cause attendence to rebound?

[CardsofSTL]

These types of questions should be asked on Flag Day.

I think attendance should rebound; because this has been a fun team to watch. If I was local to St. Louis I would go often. As it is, I am seeing them in KC Sunday; saw them in Pittsburgh in April and will see them in Cincy in August. Bonus the Cincy game is a company expense so I will be trashed on the expense card's dime.

As for ownership, I think old Bill is out of it for the most part and young Bill just wants to treat the team as a money making venture. I am not sure there will be much change in their attitude. But I don't think that is necessarily fixed by new ownership as many teams are treated the same way.

I don't give Mo a lot of credit; nor do I give him a lot of blame. He tried some things and they didn't work but he also was paralyzed when he needed to take action. Chaim gets credit for getting the glut out of the way and allowing the young players to actually have to perform and when they have not, he has made pivots much more quickly than we had seen in the past from Mo.

I also think we were a move or two away the last couple seasons from being much more competitive and the money deciders wouldn't do it. Just like right now; we are a couple of arms away from going from competitive to ahead of the pack.

[a_smith]

I think that Mo deserves credit for getting some of the talent and allowing Chaim to take over development. But seeing what Chaim and company are doing sure seems like they are light years ahead of what Mo was doing.
That so much improvement has been made and much players have talked about the change for the better highlights how bad it had gotten under Mo.

[jagtrader]

Mozeliak does not deserve more credit. That’s one thing I’m sure of when it comes to this rebuild.

[Fan_In_NY]

The key to the rebuild is player development. If Walker's turnaround can be attributed to useful coaching, an extra video instructor, etc - then the rebuild is working. If Dustin May's pretty good start (outside of todays game) can be attributed to a scouting and development team that is putting together the right game plan for him - that shows the rebuild is working. If players like Baez continue to hit in the minors and improve at their weak spots, then the rebuild is working. I attribute it all to Bloom and the fresh faces he has brought in/empowered.

[dmarx114]

I feel great. Our path to return to being a 90 win team year over year needed to be taken through drafting and developing. JJ, Herrera, Burly, Walker, and Winn are all home grown. And now we have a solid offensive core, with potentially more help on the way.

Next step is for the pitching to take that same leap.

[MansSearch]

I'm very excited about it. Bloom is on the right path IMHO.
The key to me is signing more young, high-ceiling international free agents. Other teams have won the WS with this strategy. The Cards were terrible for over a decade, but seem to have committed to and reinvested in. Guys like Luna and Dos Santos are a good start; now sign IFA pitching!

[GeddyWrox]

I feel great. Our path to return to being a 90 win team year over year needed to be taken through drafting and developing. JJ, Herrera, Burly, Walker, and Winn are all home grown. And now we have a solid offensive core, with potentially more help on the way.

Next step is for the pitching to take that same leap.

THIS

[Fan_In_NY]

I'm very excited about it. Bloom is on the right path IMHO.
The key to me is signing more young, high-ceiling international free agents. Other teams have won the WS with this strategy. The Cards were terrible for over a decade, but seem to have committed to and reinvested in. Guys like Luna and Dos Santos are a good start; now sign IFA pitching!

While obviously hitting on a big international signing is very helpful - I don't know if its a smart model. In the spoiler below was the mlb.com article from the 2019 and 2018 international signings. These players are 23-24 so either should be at the top minors/prospect lists or have found their way to the majors. On this list maybe only a handful made it to the majors and maybe one or 2 are still high up on the prospect lists. You definitely need to hit on international signings, but its not necessarily the big ticket guys that make a difference.

2019 International Signings

[SHOW]

Top 30 Prospects:

Jasson Dominguez, OF, Dominican Republic -- Yankees ($5,100,000) # More »
Robert Puason, SS, Dominican Republic -- Athletics ($5,100,000) # More »
Bayron Lora, OF, Dominican Republic -- Rangers ($4,200,000) More »
Luis Rodriguez, OF, Venezuela -- Dodgers ($2,667,500) More »
Erick Pena, OF, Dominican Republic -- Royals ($3,800,000) # More »
Ronnier Quintero, C, Dominican Republic -- Cubs ($2,900,000) More »
Yiddi Cappe, SS, Cuba
Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Dominican Republic -- Twins ($2,500,000) More »
Arol Vera, SS, Venezuela -- Angels ($2,000,000) More »
Jose Salas, SS, Venezuela -- Marlins ($2,800,000) # More »
Kevin Made, SS, Dominican Republic -- Cubs ($1,500,000) More »
Adael Amador, SS, Dominican Republic -- Rockies ($1,500,000) More »
Luis Medina, OF, Venezuela -- Brewers ($1,300,000) More »
Dauri Lorenzo, SS, Dominican Republic -- Astros ($1,800,000) # More »
Ismael Mena, OF, Dominican Republic -- Padres ($2,200,000) # More »
Andry Lara, RHP, Venezuela -- Nationals ($1,250,000) More »
Maximo Acosta, SS, Venezuela -- Rangers ($1,650,000) More »
Jhon Diaz, OF, Dominican Republic -- Yankees ($1,200,000) More »
Brayan Medina, RHP, Venezuela -- Padres ($700,000) # More »
Cristopher Cruz, RHP, Dominican Republic -- Pirates ($850,000) More »
Kristian Cardozo, RHP, Venezuela -- Mariners ($595,000)
Reginald Preciado, SS, Panama -- Padres ($1,300,000) # More »
Esmerlin Vinicio, LHP, Dominican Republic -- Giants ($750,000) More »
Junior Sanchez, SS, Dominican Republic -- Marlins ($1,150,000) # More »
Jose Pastrano, SS, Venezuela -- Indians ($1,500,000) More »
Alexander Ramirez, OF, Dominican Republic -- Mets ($2,050,000) More »
Rikelvin de Castro, SS, Dominican Republic -- Blue Jays ($1,200,000) More »
Adrian Placencia, SS, Dominican Republic -- Angels ($1,100,000) More »
Luis Gutierrez, LHP, Venezuela -- Padres More »
Brayan Altuve, C, Venezuela -- Cubs ($1,000,000) More »

2018 International Signings

[SHOW]

1. Diego Cartaya*, C, Venezuela -- Dodgers ($2,500,000) More »
2. Marco Luciano*, OF, Dominican Republic -- Giants ($2,600,000) More »
3. Misael Urbina*, OF, Venezuela -- Twins (2,750,000) More »
4. Orelvis Martinez*, SS, Dominican Republic -- Blue Jays ($3,500,000) More »
5. Richard Gallardo*, RHP, Venezuela -- Cubs ($1,000,000) More »
6. Gabriel Rodriguez*, SS, Venezuela -- Indians ($2,100,000) More »
7. Noelvi Marte*, SS, Dominican Republic -- Mariners ($1,550,000) More »
8. Starlyn Castillo*, RHP, Dominican Republic -- Phillies ($1,600,000) More »
9. Osiel Rodriguez, RHP, Cuba -- Yankees More »
10. Kevin Alcantara, SS, Dominican Republic -- Yankees More »
11. Antonio Gomez*, C, Venezuela -- Yankees ($600,000) More »
12. Junior Sanquintin*, SS, Dominican Republic -- Indians ($1,250,000) More »
13. Francisco Alvarez*, C, Venezuela -- Mets ($2,700,000) More »
14. Sandy Gaston, RHP, Cuba
15. Jose De La Cruz*, OF, Dominican Republic -- Tigers (1,800,000) More »
16. Alvin Guzman*, OF, Dominican Republic -- D-backs (1,850,000) More »
17. Jose Lopez*, OF, Dominican Republic -- Cubs ($1,500,000) More »
18. Eduarqui Fernandez*, OF, Dominican Republic -- Brewers ($1,100,000) More »
19. Adinso Reyes*, SS, Dominican Republic -- Tigers ($1,450,000) More »
20. Eduardo Garcia, SS, Venezuela -- Brewers More »
21. Jose Rodriguez*, C, Venezuela -- Rangers ($2,000,000) More »
22. Alejandro Pie*, SS, Dominican Republic -- Rays ($1,400,000) More »
23. Eduardo Lopez*, OF, Dominican Republic -- Red Sox ($1,150,000) More »
24. Alexander Ramirez, OF, Dominican Republic -- Angels More »
25. Freddy Valdez*, OF, Dominican Republic -- Mets ($1,450,000) More »
26. Branlyn Jaraba*, SS, Colombia -- Brewers ($1,100,000) More »
27. Luis Matos*, OF, Venezuela -- Giants ($725,000) More »
28. Joel Machado*, LHP, Venezuela -- Cubs ($850,000) More »
29. Denny Larrondo*, RHP, Cuba -- Yankees ($550,000) More »
30. Jerming Rosario*, RHP, Dominican Republic -- Dodgers ($600,000) More »