Cardinals face criticism for overlooking Blue Jays’ ace.
The St. Louis Cardinals, once a shining example of success in Major League Baseball, are now dealing with the ramifications of squandered opportunities, particularly the acquisition of a three-time Cy Young Award winner. As the organization confronts a nearly decade-long decline, the choice to pass on this likely Hall of Famer is being closely scrutinized.
Franchises are declining.
The Cardinals, once regarded as the gold standard of the National League, have seen a disturbing decline in recent years. The franchise, which dominated the playoff scene with four consecutive National League Championship Series berths from 2011 to 2014, has seen its fortunes change radically.
Since their peak, the Cardinals have had two losing seasons in the previous three years and have missed the playoffs for three years in a row. Their last notable playoff victory occurred in 2015, when they won 100 games but lost in the National League Division Series to the Chicago Cubs. Since that setback, the Cardinals have only won one postseason series, prompting concerns about their ability to field a championship-caliber squad.
The Missed Opportunity
Prior to the 2015 season, the Cardinals franchise had a key incident that continues to plague them. At the time, the organization had the potential to sign a pitcher who would go on to become one of the league’s most powerful arms—a future Hall of Famer with three Cy Young Awards under his belt. However, the Cardinals chose to pass on this opportunity, which many now consider a major error in their quest of long-term success.
This error not only represents a larger history of lost chances, but it also demonstrates the difficulties the organization confronts in rebuilding and competing at a high level. As the franchise searches for solutions and a return to relevance, the question remains: how long can the Cardinals afford to overlook players that may change their course?
With the weight of history crushing down and the need for change evident, the Cardinals must now confront the consequences of their previous mistakes as they seek to recover their spot among MLB’s elite.