PUT IT TO BED, BABY

For me, it was August 1. When the Birds on the Bat did nothing at the trading deadline. With serious injuries to the starters and erstwhile closer turned fireman a la Farenheit 427 where the firemen started fires rather than put them out, and they sat on their fat wallets. I know it was the demise of the 2008 Cardinals.

Even when waiver passed over players (see Adam Dunn) changed teams, the owners of the Cardinals were silent. Even at the September call up, they proved tight not promoting either of two third basemen prospects, so as to keep them arbitration eligible for another season.

Play with what you got, Tony. Which is no match for the other two, recently three teams in your divsion ahead of you. But enough.

Wait till next year. Well, we'll see. I don't see a lot of press about signing a free agent stud or three. Still no experienced closer. Still no shut down lefty reliever, still no bona fide second baseman. A few free agents of their own that didn't get tied up.

And most importantly, what great minor leaguers that the Cards wouldn't trade are going to make an impact next season? What the heck are they playing for 2015?

I hate to be so negative, but hey, my team's not going to the playoffs. The Cubs are. That hurts. And I don't see much of a change on the immediate horizon.