RP = Helsley, Romero, Fernandez, Maton, Libby, King, Roycroft, Leahy
I think Noot starts out in CF because that's the only way to get Gorman, Walker and Burleson in the lineup.
Gorman and Walker are going to play almost everyday, and I don't see them benching Burly against RH.
So, My guess is Siani gets the 4th OF spot so Scott can play everyday in Memphis.
The 5th SP will be Pallante, but I see McGreevy getting plenty of starts this year.
The only thing remaining is how they get Barrero on the 40man.
Thompson to 60 day IL or place someone on waivers.
In no other organization in MLB would there even be a debate about VSII v Siani, shows just how low Mo's baseball IQ has fallen (not sure Oli ever had one).
And if Pallante's 2024 work, as well as McGreevy's (albet brief) didn't earn them BOTH a SR spot over Steven "I'll see you in a few weeks IL" Matz, well more proof how dumb this organization has become.
Just because Matz is in the rotation open day doesn’t mean he’s in the rotation forever.
Also, maybe Gray is injured. Maybe Miko pitches like Waino ‘23.
We have no idea what the weakest link is. Maybe it’s not Matz…
Pretty sure the weakest link will be the guy that has the 2nd worst ERA in baseball over the last 2 seasons.
Too bad Mo (foolishly) gave him the NTC, which we all know he'd exercise, if they could (doubtful) even find a taker by paying 75% of his deal.
I'd DFA him by Memorial Day if he's carrying anything close to that 5.04 ERA he's posted over the last two season.
Matz is a much better pitcher, just can't stay healthy.
If I had to bet on either Matz or Mikolas to have a decent season, it's Matz all day long. Despite everything, he's got good stuff. And he's probably got the most to gain with a good year, too. He could conceivably bring in one more multi-year deal before he gets too old. Mikolas is already too old.
No doubt, all that's holding him down (and others team interest) is his injury history.
He's also a valubale weapon out of the pen' too.
Mikolas may pitch "okay....re: 4.50 ERA" this season due to extra motivation as a free agent to be but I wouldn't bet on it.
To me he's three bad outings for every decent one the last two seasons, time to DFA if he's struggling by Memorial Day.
Katie Woo
@katiejwoo
José Fermín has made the #STLCards Opening Day roster, per sources. He’ll serve as the back-up utility role/a contact bat off the bench.
rockondlouie wrote: ↑21 Mar 2025 11:44 am
Katie Woo
@katiejwoo
José Fermín has made the #STLCards Opening Day roster, per sources. He’ll serve as the back-up utility role/a contact bat off the bench.
Not really a shocker.
Hopefully he won't be needed very often.
It looks like the starting 9 will play everyday anyway.
RP = Helsley, Romero, Fernandez, Maton, Libby, King, Roycroft, Leahy
I think Noot starts out in CF because that's the only way to get Gorman, Walker and Burleson in the lineup.
Gorman and Walker are going to play almost everyday, and I don't see them benching Burly against RH.
So, My guess is Siani gets the 4th OF spot so Scott can play everyday in Memphis.
The 5th SP will be Pallante, but I see McGreevy getting plenty of starts this year.
The only thing remaining is how they get Barrero on the 40man.
Thompson to 60 day IL or place someone on waivers.
In no other organization in MLB would there even be a debate about VSII v Siani, shows just how low Mo's baseball IQ has fallen (not sure Oli ever had one).
And if Pallante's 2024 work, as well as McGreevy's (albet brief) didn't earn them BOTH a SR spot over Steven "I'll see you in a few weeks IL" Matz, well more proof how dumb this organization has become.
Just because Matz is in the rotation open day doesn’t mean he’s in the rotation forever.
Also, maybe Gray is injured. Maybe Miko pitches like Waino ‘23.
We have no idea what the weakest link is. Maybe it’s not Matz…
Pretty sure the weakest link will be the guy that has the 2nd worst ERA in baseball over the last 2 seasons.
Too bad Mo (foolishly) gave him the NTC, which we all know he'd exercise, if they could (doubtful) even find a taker by paying 75% of his deal.
I'd DFA him by Memorial Day if he's carrying anything close to that 5.04 ERA he's posted over the last two season.
Matz is a much better pitcher, just can't stay healthy.
Weird that you singled out Matz, now it's Miko. Sounds like maybe you put them BOTH in the rotation on OD and see where the chips fall, right?
Also, Mo's mistake wasn't giving MM a NTC. His mistake was feeling the need to give MM an extension to begin with.
It just wasn't necessary. The 2023 OD was days away. Why not see how 2023 plays out.
I've never seen a POBO/GM so scared of the offseason hot stove. God forbid Miko has a great 2023, signs somewhere else and Mo needs to...gasp...find another pitcher in FA/trade.
rockondlouie wrote: ↑21 Mar 2025 11:44 am
Katie Woo
@katiejwoo
José Fermín has made the #STLCards Opening Day roster, per sources. He’ll serve as the back-up utility role/a contact bat off the bench.
Not really a shocker.
Hopefully he won't be needed very often.
It looks like the starting 9 will play everyday anyway.
Agreed
The guy's who going eventually change that infield is J.J. once he's ready (late this season call up to get his feet wet for 2026 would be nice).
RP = Helsley, Romero, Fernandez, Maton, Libby, King, Roycroft, Leahy
I think Noot starts out in CF because that's the only way to get Gorman, Walker and Burleson in the lineup.
Gorman and Walker are going to play almost everyday, and I don't see them benching Burly against RH.
So, My guess is Siani gets the 4th OF spot so Scott can play everyday in Memphis.
The 5th SP will be Pallante, but I see McGreevy getting plenty of starts this year.
The only thing remaining is how they get Barrero on the 40man.
Thompson to 60 day IL or place someone on waivers.
Good post Kentucky, but only in the St. Louis Cardinal Organization would Scott and Palente be competing for time with the aforementioned players. Pallente was arguably our 2nd best starter - mid 3 ERA vs two guys (matz, miko) with ERA's north of 5. This makes no sense.
Scott - a big talent who the Cardinals are waiting to prove himself. Got Bigger, Stronger in off season - showed markedly improved approach at the plate. Did EVERYTHING HE WAS ASKED TO DO and showed some impressive offensive skills this spring. Siani - good speed, good defensive routes - thats it period, no more skills to give. There have been zero indications that the hit tool will ever play. Scott has those raw skills defensively and is improving them, but Scott can hit. Last I heard, kinda important.
If I had to bet on either Matz or Mikolas to have a decent season, it's Matz all day long. Despite everything, he's got good stuff. And he's probably got the most to gain with a good year, too. He could conceivably bring in one more multi-year deal before he gets too old. Mikolas is already too old.
His good stuff might result in a better year. No debate on that. But I never understood the concept that because a guy is in a contract year he can supposedly turn it up a notch for a payday. If they had the ability to turn it up a notch they would do it every year. All of these guys are competitors or they wouldn't make the majors. And none of them like to suck in front of 1000's of fans.
I don't understand it either, but it's absolutely a thing. I don't think it's as deliberate as "I don't mind sucking in front of thousands of people every five days" but I do think it's extra fuel in the tank for that year.
icon wrote: ↑20 Mar 2025 23:24 pm
Starting Nootbaar in CF is stupid for 3 reasons. First, it leaves no room for Scott, who supposedly is the future. Why not find out whether the future is now in a so-called reset? Second, Nootbaar has been beset with injuries in his short career, and playing CF will expose him to more than in LF. Third, he's not that great in CF.
And what is so great about Burly? Let Gorman mostly DH and Donovan play 2B. It might even help Gorman if he can focus more on hitting, because obviously that needs focus. Burly can be a bench bat who can back up at corner OF or 1B or DH. He'll still probably get plenty of PAs in that role.
And Donovan does not need to face a lot of LHP. He has 0 HRs in his career vs. LHP. Is that what you want in an everyday corner OF?
Correct. It’s supposed to be a rebuild year that plays the kids to see who can hang. Scott going down is direction contradiction. Means our rebuild is in flux and we won’t compete till 2030.
AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑21 Mar 2025 13:27 pm
Pains me to say it but why are we all so set on Walker making the club? He still looks a bit lost at the plate.
I'm just assuming by what they've said this off season.
I wouldn't be surprised if a question to come later on here is why didn't they trade him while his value was decent. Hope not, they're afraid to make another talent evaluation mistake, so they will give Walker the chance this year. Hope he takes advantage of the opportunity, but it's possible he just doesn't have the necessary skills at this level.
sdaltons wrote: ↑20 Mar 2025 21:20 pm
To not move any of the starters, even for peanuts, to clear the way for both Pallante and McGreevy to be in the rotation says a lot about their stated goals for this year.
This. It's very frustrating. The team all but came out and said the results of this season are secondary to cutting payroll. Most fans are expecting a sub-.500 year and yet two spots in our rotation are getting utterly wasted on pitchers who will contribute exactly nothing to the organization's next chapter. Poetic ending to the past decade, I suppose.
Ha. Let's hope things change but you're right; it's not to be expected.
I can't believe the development guys can't see that Siani has a huge upswing and doesn't change his approach one bit to meet the pitcher, etc. He's hopeless. He's tremendous defensively but man, that can't be the main need on a team with crud offense.
