Why put so much stock in the Farm?

EarlyCuyler — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:24:38 -0000

I've never done this before, so give me a bit of slack, please. :) Or just shred me, that will probably be more fun.

I don't understand why the Cards put so much stock in building up their farm system. I know it's nice to have a few top prospects that can get the call up late in the year when the rosters expand or when a player hits the DL for an extended amount of time, and hopefully get some production. But why not sell the farm for major league proven talent. I'm not saying that there is a bunch of that out there through trade or FA right not, but let's look at the top farm systems and how it translates to wins in the Big Leagues.

This is the list of top farm systems as rated by Keith Law @ ESPN back in January w/ my comments of course.

1. Texas Rangers - When is the last time the Texas Rangers have actually been relevant? 1999?

2. Tampa Bay Rays - This farm system has produced a bunch of talent and it shows.

3. Oakland Athletics - Made it past the LDS once since 1992

4. Atlanta Braves - Been 1 of the top systems for years. What did it get them? 14 division titles and 1 world series ring. Oh I forgot about half empty stadium at home playoff games.

5. Cleveland Indians - Been to the playoffs twice in this decade

6. St. Louis Cardinals - We see how this has been working out.

7. Boston Red Sox - With adding big name free agents, their farm system has come up and filled the holes. No negatives to this organization other than they are on the east coast.

8. Florida Marlins - Probably the best team to do more with less. Seem to keep on winning with prospect power.

9. San Francisco Giants - 3 play off runs this decade, 1 world series appearance, but we'll put an * next to the flax seed oil

10. Baltimore Orioles - Been to the playoffs twice since winning the series in 1983. That was 1996 and 1997.

So out of the top 10 farm systems there are 3 teams that actually use that young talent and it translates to wins? Was is not more fun to sign a Larry Walker, or a Will Clark and make a run at the Championship. Isn't the whole idea of even playing the game to win it all? Do you remember the heartbreak in 2004 or the feeling you got when Wainwright threw that final pitch in 2006? That was sitting on the edge of your seat, nail bitting, life or death actual pinch myself I might be dreaming emotion. That's why I love baseball and that's why I love the Cardinals. I acknowledge that I may be way off base here, but sell the farm, land the free agent, make the trade and get us back to when over a half a million of us stood on the sidewalks lining the streets leading to Busch Stadium to catch a glimpse of our, yes I say our, World Series Champion Cardinals!

Okay, you can begin shredding me now.

Thanks.

SB Nation User Blog: EarlyCuyler

Why put so much stock in the Farm?