Ask Buffa Anything: Do the DeWitts still care about winning, and are they selling?

All the questions that you didn't know that you sort of needed in your life... a little.

Every here and there, I post on Facebook, where I have a nice and nuanced gathering of pals and in-person amigos, asking for questions. I keep the range open, taking on any offering. Cardinals, movies, and television show questions usually round it up, but there can sometimes be the beautiful “out there” inquiry.

The layout is simple. Questions in BOLD and the answers in regular font. Without further delay, let’s get into the Redbird-heavy mailbag here on a not-as-disgusting-outside Thursday evening. Screw you, muggy moisture.

From the great Jeff Abney: Why does Steven Matz make Cardinals fans so sad?

Excellent, to the point question from my longtime pal, a true amigo in Jeff. I would say that it’s his general blandness that sends out a stench odor. He’s not awful, but that’s like offering someone a grilled cheese at an Italian restaurant. He was the lesser of the possible acquisitions, along with Marcos Stroman. The Cardinals handed him a four-year fistful of dollars, and it hurt the rotation plan this past winter.

If Matz isn’t there, John Mozeliak surely pulls the trigger on Jordan Montgomery. I do think he’s not stupid, dealing out “Monty” to the Texas Rangers before getting him back. But they struck while the iron was hot, signing Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, each of which have worked out extremely well. Sonny Gray is an ace of a signing. Miles Mikokas is the Jekyll and Hyde incarnate. Matz is just flat, and his salary prohibited, laugh or not, the Cardinals from truly pursuing Montgomery.

I do think Scott Boras screwed that all up, but the Cardinals screwed the organization of the rotation with a listless signing in Mr. Matz.

From the fine gentlemen, Ryan Patrick: Do you think the DeWitts no longer care about winning? Do you believe a sale of the team is upcoming?

I do believe they still believe in winning, or at least the pursuit of it. That is on their own terms and speed. This isn’t the cop car flipping a donut and chasing down a suspect; this is more like the older fella turning a parking job into a personal heist of the human soul. While I carried my own ruminations on their possible sale of the team, that’s still around five years away.

If the ship wrecks completely, the dollar worth of this team does shrink. If the winning comes back, it skyrockets. A few more dying quails for Nolan Arenado and a couple blasts from Paul Goldschmidt could really swing the tide. They’re still bringing in good money, post pandemic. They also do spend, and all one needs to see is the $175 million price tag of this 23-26 roster. Sometimes, or most of the time, it’s not spent wisely.

For the time being, especially with Ballpark Village, Phase 2-8 planned, they’re legs are still dug in around 700 Clark Avenue.

From the sage scribe, Bill Motchan: Shouldn’t some bench coach (or the manager) have motioned Wilson Contreras to move back with a batter who routinely cheats the back edge of the batter’s box?

The easy answer is yes, the Cardinals should have scouted and recognized a guy who turns a swing of the bat into a mini-opera. But they’re just not that good, my friend. I don’t believe in this coaching staff outside of Stubby Clapp, who led a AAA-team to a championship, but is restricted to waving his arm in circles. Overall, they’re all just average baseball minds, so I don’t believe in the idea that they would have seen this coming.

This is also another case of “Yadi took care of that shit” happening in real time. Molina would have known, took a step or two back, and adjusted. Contreras, who was enjoying improvements around the defensive parts of his job, simply isn’t on that level. That’s not on him. There are coaches in the dugout for a reason, but what are they coaching exactly?

From the sweet as apple pie Charlie Cochran: Switching from baseball, are you watching Sugar on Apple? I’d love your thoughts.

Here’s the thing, my friend: I did, and even gave it two-plus episodes. I liked Colin Farrell enough to push play, but was soon let down by the slower-than-snail-dancing pace. It was going for a moody as fuck Mulholland Falls vibe, and couldn’t even carry its own water. I gave up. Count me in completely for Farrell’s return to Gotham in this year’s The Penguin.

I do think, somewhere down the line, I’ll jump back on Sugar’s trail. Maybe after he’s done taking on the Batman.

From my lovely aunt, Brenda: Are you aware of how much our Heavenly Father loves you?

I love you so much, but the answer is no. I don’t really buy into the whole heavenly father idea, and that’s cool if you do. Different shakes for different folks in different walks of life. The only religion I truly believe in is strong coffee and the honest truth. While he may love me, I don’t really think of him. Keep in mind I was raised in a Catholic Church, going to the classes and masses. Eventually, it wore off… like a drug.

Apple Original Films

From the savvy Dave Issacs: Opinions on Justin Timberlake as an actor? I find him very underrated.

I agree, Dave. He’s terrific in an under-watched drama called Parker, which is streaming on Apple TV Plus. Along with a handful of Cardinals games, they offer some good drama movies and shows. Timberlake has proven he can excel in certain genres, but feel limited in others. A soft-spoken protagonist is right up his alley. I will say it’s better than his singing, which is getting roasted lately.

More acting, Justin. Take on a villain role, or something wild. Beg Michael Mann to be in Heat 2, even in a bit role. Build up the resume, because a film career runs longer than a life on stage, especially for you.

From the awesome Chris Barr: What realistic changes need to be made by the St. Louis Cardinals to turn the baseball season around in the positive direction?

Keep scoring runs. The starting pitching and bullpen hasn’t been as good as the eye test would seem to inform, but they have been durable. The offense needs to do more, and also pile it on earlier. Michael Siani cranking a three-run homer is cool and all, but where are Paul Goldschmidt’s power bombs? We’re cracking June here in a little over a week.

Ryan Helsley, Andrew Kittredge, and JoJo Romero have formed a lethal late inning attack, and Lynn and Gibson have provided more than expected. Mikolas zigs and zags, and Matthew Liberatore keeps getting new name tags. What is happening? Nobody knows. They need to figure out how to build up value to trade at the deadline, because I don’t see this team rising above wildcard berth status, unless they show the ability to manufacture runs. This staff needs hearty support.

They need to fare better than Milwaukee, and really take down the Chicago Cubs this weekend. Don’t let up your foot on the gas, keep drowning the pedal. Beat up on Chicago, and somehow they could drop in second place soon. Baseball can change a lot. The Cardinals should sell assets later this summer, but they can keep playing better baseball in the pursuit of what this team should eventually look like… a contender.

From the cool Curtis Brewer: Do the Cardinals need a 40 hr a season hitter or a bunch of .300 of singles hitters?

They need one of their boppers to truly step up, Curtis. The Cardinals need power, and lots of it from the 2-4 hitters. Goldschmidt needs to go see that same tree that Robert Redford found in the 1980s, and wait for a thunderstorm or two. He needs to crank it up, or Nolan Gorman needs to keep slugging. Losing Contreras stung the team in the extra base hit department.

Singles aren’t hard to come by, just ask Mr. Arenado. The team needs the equivalent of Helsley at the plate: a finisher.

Speaking of which, I am finished. Tired and holding empty chambers. Thanks for the questions and good night. Please recommend the page to your friends and family.