...and naturally, the comments section of that article is unreadable because of hostile takeover from the FO bashers.

I'm going to have to start keeping myself to the blogs I read, I can barely stand reading anything at the P-D anymore.

I wouldn't call myself a front office basher, but I do think the owners could and should be injecting more money into the team then they are...a couple marks in the ownership might be cheap column.

1. The Cardinals market extends far beyond the St. Louis market, so comparing us to Houston based solely on city size is not really an apples to apple comparison.

2a. In 2008 the Cardinals ranked 11th in total payroll. In 2007 - 12. In 2006 - 11th. In 2005 - 11th. In 2004 - 11th.
2b. In 2008 the Cardinals were 4th in attendance. 2007 - 4th. 2006 - 3rd. 2005 - 3rd. 2004 - 9th.
2c. In 2008 the Cardinals had the 7th highest average ticket price. In 2007 - 5th highest. I'm having trouble finding average ticket price data but I'm guessing the Cardinals typically fall in the top 10. This doesn't account for beer, hot dogs, etc, which in my experience is higher at Busch (old and new) then most parks I've been to, including Wrigley, Commisky and Yankee Stadium all of which have higher average ticket prices then the Cardinals.

Not sure where to find merchandise sales or TV revenue. I'm also not sure how much of that the team even sees/compared to what shared with MLB, so we'll leave that argument out.

Just saying the argument is valid that if the Cardinals really liked AJ Burnett (not saying they did or even that they should have signed him) Then go get him. I'd prefer the Cardinals declare themselves out of the free agent market then to continue to make token offers of 90% of what the player eventually signs for.

Holds true for trade talks as well. Jake Peavy or Matt Holliday's contracts should not have been a stumbling block in adding front line talent to the team. Maybe the prospect asking price was, I don't really know, but that brings me to my last point. The team needs to be willing to trade prospects OR be willing to spend money in free agency. I don't think they have to do both, but I think it's negligent to continue to do neither. Not when you're fifth starter is Joel Pinero. Not when your second baseman can't stop losing his job to career utility players.