Ray Mileur
January 10, 2005
The St. Louis Cardinals 2004 Organization Report Card
By the staff of Baseball America, Will Lingo & Ray Mileur
It’s time for the 2004 St. Louis Cardinals Organization Annual Report Card.
In recent years Baseball America has rated and issued Organization Report Cards for all 30 Major League Baseball Teams and it’s time to take a look at the Cardinals Report Card and see how we stack up against the competition..
The teams are graded in five different organizational areas. They are;
MAJOR LEAGUES - How the team performed in the big leagues.
MINOR LEAGUES - How the organization’s minor league affiliates performed, along with notable contributions of young players in the major leagues.
TALENT LEVEL - The quality and depth of players in the farm system, as well as the contributions of young players in the major leagues.
PLAYER PROCUREMENT - Talent brought into the organization through trades or the draft.
ORGANIZATION DIRECTION - A catch-all that considers stability and quality of leadership, improvement, over previous years, bang for the buck and general outlook for the franchise.
For Baseball America, the grades were determined by the Staff of Baseball America, and the capsules were written by managing editor Will Lingo.
For the Birdhouse grades and capsules were written by yours truly, RM.
The Results from Baseball America 2004 Organization Report Cards are;
The Minnesota Twins were named the 2004 Organization of the Year by Baseball America with the only full A given by the staff. The Cardinals finished in 8th place with an overall grade of B. Other teams in the top ten included the Anaheim Angels (2nd A-), Atlanta Braves (3rd B+), Boston Red Sox (4th B+), Cleveland Indians (5th B+), Los Angeles Dodgers (6th B+), Oakland A’s (7th B), the Cardinals in 8th place, the Cubs (9th B) and the Houston Astros (10th B).
THE CARDINALS REPORT CARD
MAJOR LEAGUES - How the team performed in the big leagues.
BA - Grade A Won 105 games and advanced to the World Series by beating the Dodgers and Astros before getting swept by the Red Sox.
RM - Grade A+ The Cardinals went on cruise control in September and were capable of winning 110 -112 games if it was necessary. Expected by most experts to finish no better than 3rd when the season began , this team turned in one of the best regular season performances in the history of the franchise.
MINOR LEAGUES - How the organization’s minor league affiliates performed, along with notable contributions of young players in the major leagues.
BA - Grade B Overall .520 winning percentage was a 69 point improvement, biggest jump in the game, added Double A affiliate in Springfield, MO.
RM - Grade B Once the cornerstone or foundation of the Cardinals franchise, in recent years the Cardinals minor league organization ranked as one of the worst in baseball. Three seasons ago we called for the Cardinals to completely overhaul their minor league system. They responded with adding a Vice President for Baseball Development, changes in personnel assignments at the executive level and the hiring of consultants to evaluate players. The Cardinals are turning this part of their organization around with significant improvements being made on all fronts.
TALENT LEVEL - The quality and depth of players in the farm system, as well as the contributions of young players in the major leagues.
BA - Grade D Yadier Molina showed potential, but the system is still used more for trades than filling in big league holes.
RM - Grade D The Cardinals cannot afford to continue to conduct business as they have in the past. Trading any and all prospects away to fill holes at the major league level. You have to give the Cardinals credit for what they get in their trades, considering I think it was two seasons ago the last time I checked there were only 4 position players starting in the major leagues who originated from the Cardinals farm system.
PLAYER PROCUREMENT - Talent brought into the organization through trades or the draft.
BA - Grade C Larry Walker trade provided the last piece of the playoff push. Draft showed new emphasis on college players.
RM - Grade C The Cardinals have flexibility in 2005 barring any other deals before the season starts to make a move for a key player if necessary late in the season to make another playoff push. The organization is making all the right moves to improve upon their limited success in the draft. This will have a positive effect on the team in the long term while still maintaining financial flexibility to address specific needs in a pennant race.
ORGANIZATION DIRECTION - A catch-all that considers stability and quality of leadership, improvement, over previous years, bang for the buck and general outlook for the franchise.
BA - Grade A Cardinals don’t use player development traditionally, but their resources and front office keep them in contention.
RM - Grade A + The Cardinals are clearly moving in the right direction in terms of fiscal responsibility, scouting, drafting and player procurement. The new ballpark will be a boost to the organization and the City of St. Louis. Comprehensive plans are in placed to keep the Cardinals consistently in playoff contention.
Final Grade
Baseball America - Cardinals (B)
Ray Mileur - Cardinals (A -)
