The winds of change have swept through St. Louis, but if you ask Bill DeWitt Jr., it’s not a rebuild-it’s a “build.”

Since Chaim Bloom took the reins as the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, there’s been a concerted effort to avoid the dreaded “rebuild” label. Instead, DeWitt Jr. has been steadfast in his belief that the Cardinals are simply building towards success.

At the Cardinals Winter Warm-Up, DeWitt Jr. faced a barrage of questions from the media, with the word “rebuild” tossed around like a hot potato. Yet, DeWitt Jr. consistently sidestepped it, opting for “building” instead.

“It’s hard to quantify, to say what would success be,” he noted. “Obviously, we’re building, and success is a winning season.”

He further clarified his stance during the press conference, challenging the narrative of a franchise in flux. “Well, when you say ‘rebuild’, it’s ‘build’.

I don’t know about ‘rebuild,'” he asserted. DeWitt Jr. highlighted Bloom’s impressive history with Boston and Tampa Bay, emphasizing his knack for drafting and developing talent.

With young guns like Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, and Matthew Liberatore already making their mark, the strategy seems to be more about constructing a future powerhouse than tearing down the past. The Cardinals’ offseason moves, which included parting ways with some high-priced veterans, align with this forward-focused vision.

Fast forward to the present, and it seems DeWitt Jr.’s optimism was well-founded. As of May 9th, the Cardinals are sitting pretty in second place in the fiercely competitive National League Central, holding the first Wild Card spot.

Jordan Walker is on fire, JJ Wetherholt is making a strong case for Rookie of the Year, and the team’s defense is nothing short of stellar. The young core is stepping up, and the future looks promising for Bloom and the Cardinals.

While the Cardinals aren’t quite the juggernaut of the league just yet, the “build” is progressing at an impressive pace. With a top-three farm system, six top-100 picks in the upcoming MLB draft, and significant financial flexibility, the Cardinals are poised for a bright future. A 23-15 record through the first 38 games is a testament to their swift and efficient approach, proving that a quick turnaround is well within reach.