Does Herrera replace Walker 2026.

[woofy25]

There is zero reason why Walker and Herrera can’t be in the lineup together every day.

[renostl]

I would have Herrera as a full time DH. As rock said let him take OF reps this offseason with Jon Jay to get a little versatility but hope you never really need to use it.

C- Pages/Pozo/Crooks
1B- Contreras
2B- Donovan/Wetherholt
3B- Arenado/Gorman
SS- Winn
LF- Noot/Donovan
CF- Scott
RF- Walker/Noot
DH- Herrera

IF the team can get RF type production out of Herrera, they're in pretty good shape.
Even if IH would become an average defensive catcher it be short lived due to the depth there.

The way that you have this arranged has us in complete agreement.
It closes the door on nobody allowing for it to play out.

My current opinion is Walker won't advance until or unless he commits fully to it. He may need a person with
the cache of an Albert Pujols in order to get such commitment. He appears to be back to 2024 to me.

[Futuregm2]

There is zero reason why Walker and Herrera can’t be in the lineup together every day.

To be fair there is a .193/.268/.263 batting line reason why Walker can’t. But I’m at the spot where if he can even become a .750 OPS hitter, this lineup will be deep enough to allow for that.

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

One can hope

[renostl]

There is zero reason why Walker and Herrera can’t be in the lineup together every day.

They absolutely can coexist.

The question I have with JW is whether he's resistant to any change. His approach IMO is back to 2024,
the end of 2023. This spring and the very beginning of the season had changes without immediate results. He reverted.
I easily can be wrong but if correct and the coaches see it that way, they're around him everyday, why should he get endless opportunities
over another player who also wants and needs opportunity?

[Wattage]

Herrera = DH 90% of the PA's

If C. Bloom wants to get creative, then he gives him an OF'ers glove and sends J. Jay to work w/him this offseason.

NOT to become a FT outfielder (unless he really takes to it like D. Murphy did), but to give his new Manager versatility if he needs it.

But right now, he's the 100% right choice to be the FT DH!

The heck w/Bumbles and Norman wasting PA's when you have a hitter like Ivan.

Yes, Rock, you and I are on the same page as usual. That is why I stared that other thread last night after watching the replay of the game. The lineup has a COMPLETELY different feel with him in the middle of it somewhere. Ivan the terrible is in my lineup daily until he proves he cannot hit. We are not saying he is the next Pujols by any means, but the kid can hit and he is somewhere batting 2-5 in my daily lineup until he cools off and looks bad.

If anyone thinks Hererra should be catching, then they're not paying attention.

The kid can NOT throw!

He plays in the NLC that houses the #1 (Cubs), #2 Brewers and #5 teams who lead MLB in SB's!

They'd run all day against the Cardinals if Ivan's behind the plate (as an aside, Pages is excellent stooping the run, Pozo is league average).

Ivan get's at least 90% of the PA's at DH or Oli needs to be fired even before seasons end.

No one will ever be another Pujols, those are generational talent that come around every fifty years.

But Ivan is a dangerous hitter and he does indeed change the look of the lineup!

Hitting 2 - 5 is the exact place he should be.

Herrera has played no outfield at all since at least age 17(i have no data on him earlier than that) he has only played catcher and some limited work at 1b. We saw how long it toom walker to pick up reading fly balls, and herrera doesnt have the footspeed to recover from bad reads like walker. I think itd be more viable to let herrera work some innings at 1b and let him take over completely when contreras is gone.

[rockondlouie]

Herrera = DH 90% of the PA's

If C. Bloom wants to get creative, then he gives him an OF'ers glove and sends J. Jay to work w/him this offseason.

NOT to become a FT outfielder (unless he really takes to it like D. Murphy did), but to give his new Manager versatility if he needs it.

But right now, he's the 100% right choice to be the FT DH!

The heck w/Bumbles and Norman wasting PA's when you have a hitter like Ivan.

Yes, Rock, you and I are on the same page as usual. That is why I stared that other thread last night after watching the replay of the game. The lineup has a COMPLETELY different feel with him in the middle of it somewhere. Ivan the terrible is in my lineup daily until he proves he cannot hit. We are not saying he is the next Pujols by any means, but the kid can hit and he is somewhere batting 2-5 in my daily lineup until he cools off and looks bad.

If anyone thinks Hererra should be catching, then they're not paying attention.

The kid can NOT throw!

He plays in the NLC that houses the #1 (Cubs), #2 Brewers and #5 teams who lead MLB in SB's!

They'd run all day against the Cardinals if Ivan's behind the plate (as an aside, Pages is excellent stooping the run, Pozo is league average).

Ivan get's at least 90% of the PA's at DH or Oli needs to be fired even before seasons end.

No one will ever be another Pujols, those are generational talent that come around every fifty years.

But Ivan is a dangerous hitter and he does indeed change the look of the lineup!

Hitting 2 - 5 is the exact place he should be.

Herrera has played no outfield at all since at least age 17(i have no data on him earlier than that) he has only played catcher and some limited work at 1b. We saw how long it toom walker to pick up reading fly balls, and herrera doesnt have the footspeed to recover from bad reads like walker. I think itd be more viable to let herrera work some innings at 1b and let him take over completely when contreras is gone.

But

You never know unless they give it a try wattage.

D. Murphy, a big man, took to CF easily after moving from catcher.

And 1st base may end up being his landing spot when not DHing but that's not happening until the 2027 season ends.

In the mean time there's nothing wrong w/giving him an OF'er glove and having J. Jay work w/him to see if that's an option.

Not as a FT outfielder but rather just an option when not DHing.

[renostl]

Herrera = DH 90% of the PA's

If C. Bloom wants to get creative, then he gives him an OF'ers glove and sends J. Jay to work w/him this offseason.

NOT to become a FT outfielder (unless he really takes to it like D. Murphy did), but to give his new Manager versatility if he needs it.

But right now, he's the 100% right choice to be the FT DH!

The heck w/Bumbles and Norman wasting PA's when you have a hitter like Ivan.

Yes, Rock, you and I are on the same page as usual. That is why I stared that other thread last night after watching the replay of the game. The lineup has a COMPLETELY different feel with him in the middle of it somewhere. Ivan the terrible is in my lineup daily until he proves he cannot hit. We are not saying he is the next Pujols by any means, but the kid can hit and he is somewhere batting 2-5 in my daily lineup until he cools off and looks bad.

If anyone thinks Hererra should be catching, then they're not paying attention.

The kid can NOT throw!

He plays in the NLC that houses the #1 (Cubs), #2 Brewers and #5 teams who lead MLB in SB's!

They'd run all day against the Cardinals if Ivan's behind the plate (as an aside, Pages is excellent stooping the run, Pozo is league average).

Ivan get's at least 90% of the PA's at DH or Oli needs to be fired even before seasons end.

No one will ever be another Pujols, those are generational talent that come around every fifty years.

But Ivan is a dangerous hitter and he does indeed change the look of the lineup!

Hitting 2 - 5 is the exact place he should be.

Herrera has played no outfield at all since at least age 17(i have no data on him earlier than that) he has only played catcher and some limited work at 1b. We saw how long it toom walker to pick up reading fly balls, and herrera doesnt have the footspeed to recover from bad reads like walker. I think itd be more viable to let herrera work some innings at 1b and let him take over completely when contreras is gone.

Valid points.
1B is the more logical spot for IH, IMO.
He is athletic though and might be Donovan decent there. Might.

It becomes more questionable if WC is here through 2027. 2 seasons is a while.
or if the OF remains in need of a bat.

With the depth at C, I think it's only a when IH gets moved not if.

[Monsieur De Treville]

If Herrera is moved to the OF I think LF would be his best position. IF the Cards give up on Walker and IF Herrera is moved to the OF, I think we'd see Herrera in LF and Noot in RF.

I know. Giving up on Walker is tough. But if Herrera must play we need a position.

What happens if Walker breaks out. Does Herrera stay at DH

I am skeptical of how Herrera would be in OF. A catcher in the OF is not my idea of top shelf defense. I was not a fan of Burly in OF either.
I like OF that can go get the ball. Cut off gappers holding the batter to single instead of chasing the ball to the wall for automatic double or even a triple. Same on running in on blooper types making diving catches.
Hope he is better but I want to see him get some reps there in spring training and go from there. Otherwise keep him at DH

Nice take...hard to disagree.

[woofy25]

There is zero reason why Walker and Herrera can’t be in the lineup together every day.

To be fair there is a .193/.268/.263 batting line reason why Walker can’t. But I’m at the spot where if he can even become a .750 OPS hitter, this lineup will be deep enough to allow for that.

If that is his slash line come September, then yes. Have to let the season of runway play out.

[woofy25]

There is zero reason why Walker and Herrera can’t be in the lineup together every day.

They absolutely can coexist.

The question I have with JW is whether he's resistant to any change. His approach IMO is back to 2024,
the end of 2023. This spring and the very beginning of the season had changes without immediate results. He reverted.
I easily can be wrong but if correct and the coaches see it that way, they're around him everyday, why should he get endless opportunities
over another player who also wants and needs opportunity?

Bc he’s like 23 and was a can’t miss prospect and the cardinals said he’s playing the season through.

[Melville]

Good morning.

Reset. Three years. So far got rid of Goldie contract. Need to shuck Mik and Matz. Assess the kids, make cuts.

Now Herrera has the best bat on team. He must play daily. When we cut at end of year, Walker may be in trouble.

Bloom has no love for Gorman and Walker. They are just players to him. No love.

Herrera has a catchers arm although he throws poorly from catcher. He would throw fine as a right fielder:

Do we have a problem, is DH his spot, or is left or right his destination.

Thoughts.

My thoughts were first shared on this topic 2.5 years ago.
I was first and best to understand Herrera should be moved to corner outfield.
I was right then.
Right now.
All that aside, since it is never about me, it if far too early to declare what Herrera's bat will become long term.
Yes, he has track record of hitting for average - which is good.
But prior to this season, in 325 PA's he had just 5 HR and 20 total XBH's.
Sure, this year he has 4 HR in 29 PA's - but 3 came in just 1 game.
Let's wait another 250 PA's before beginning to form conclusions about his bat.

[imadangman]

If Herrera is moved to the OF I think LF would be his best position. IF the Cards give up on Walker and IF Herrera is moved to the OF, I think we'd see Herrera in LF and Noot in RF.

I know. Giving up on Walker is tough. But if Herrera must play we need a position.

What happens if Walker breaks out. Does Herrera stay at DH

I am skeptical of how Herrera would be in OF. A catcher in the OF is not my idea of top shelf defense. I was not a fan of Burly in OF either.
I like OF that can go get the ball. Cut off gappers holding the batter to single instead of chasing the ball to the wall for automatic double or even a triple. Same on running in on blooper types making diving catches.
Hope he is better but I want to see him get some reps there in spring training and go from there. Otherwise keep him at DH

Agreed. Any roster plan that has Herrera as a part of the outfield I don't think is a very good one.

[DwaininAztec]

Agreed. What mystifies me is why they let Herrera progress as a catcher in the minors. They find out he can’t throw at the major league level? He should have had multiple minor league seasons in the outfield.

The reason is simple, he didn't look that bad in the minors. He joined the Cardinals at the age of 17 in rookie ball. Here are his minor league numbers.

17 years old -- 40% CS
18 years old -- 32% CS
19 years old -- 31% CS
21 years old -- 26% CS
22 years old -- 18% CS
23 years old -- 20% CS

[scoutyjones2]

Good morning.

Reset. Three years. So far got rid of Goldie contract. Need to shuck Mik and Matz. Assess the kids, make cuts.

Now Herrera has the best bat on team. He must play daily. When we cut at end of year, Walker may be in trouble.

Bloom has no love for Gorman and Walker. They are just players to him. No love.

Herrera has a catchers arm although he throws poorly from catcher. He would throw fine as a right fielder:

Do we have a problem, is DH his spot, or is left or right his destination.

Thoughts.

29 plate appearances...let's slow the coronation