Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut
Depending on the competition cycle, yeah. If you're rebuilding and you get a lot of good experience for your players, build on some stuff and charge up for next year - then it's a success regardless of the outcome (the Nats, for instance.
If you're a team like the Cardinals and you have all the talent this squad has, when the season begins you should set a pretty decent goal for yourself. I don't think WS or bust is fair, but I do think that the goal for this Cardinals team should have been a pennant. Otherwise you're setting your goals too low.
If you don't reach that goal, the season can't be a true success, though you could certainly get around not calling it a failure.
Did the Braves have a successful season? I don't think the die-hards would say they did. The Phils? Marlins? Mets? No, not at all. Reds? Nope 98 wins and a first round loss isn't a successful season, not with the veteran stars they have on the roster. I don't think anyone else in the Central can consider this a successful season either. The Bucs collapsed down the stretch again and the Brewers underperformed so badly early that they made re-building trades that bit them when they finally got their !@#$ in order.
The Giants are probably going to call this season successful after getting through to the playoffs even after their injuries/suspensions. The D-Backs can't possibly like it, nor can the Rox. Maybe the Padres with their strong finish, but that's a 'rebuilding' squad under the rebuilding rules.
If the Cards lose the NLCS, I'll consider this a fine season, but not one I would call a 'successful' one. An entertaining one and one where some guys developed, but this isn't a building squad - it's a championship caliber one and should be held to that standard.
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I think that's a bit harsh.
We lost:
1. HOF Manager (yeah, I didn't like him, but still, he's a HOF manager)
2. Marquee star
3. Arguably the best pitching coach in baseball
4. Staff ace for most of the season
5. Berkman and Furcal, two seasoned veterans who were key to our success last year.
Also, Garcia is done for the post season and Lynn and Wainwright are shaky at best.
Even if we end up losing in 5, I think reaching this point is pretty damned impressive, all things considered.
But obviously I want more.