Your guess what position JJ plays with Cardinals long term

[ramfandan]

If Donovan is signed to extension , then SS & 2nd both are blocked . So does he play 3rd ?
Somewhere else ? Does Donovan only stay with Cardinals til free agency time opening 2nd for JJ ? And how long does Winn stay with Cardinals . Do they retain him long term or will he leave in free agency ?

[Talkin' Baseball]

2B

[12xu]

I believe he has a strong accurate arm and since SS is covered by Winn, I think 3B would be his best fit in St. Louis, once Arenado is traded. Donovan's best position is 2B and what I have seen of him at 3B his arm is suspect. Gorman is not going to take 3B or 2B unless he can discover a way to start making contact more often.

If Arenado is not traded, Donovan might have to go to LF to allow JJ to play 2B until Arenado's contract expires after the 2027 season.

[Shady]

I believe he has a strong accurate arm and since SS is covered by Winn, I think 3B would be his best fit in St. Louis, once Arenado is traded. Donovan's best position is 2B and what I have seen of him at 3B his arm is suspect. Gorman is not going to take 3B or 2B unless he can discover a way to start making contact more often.

If Arenado is not traded, Donovan might have to go to LF to allow JJ to play 2B until Arenado's contract expires after the 2027 season.

Saggese is also in the future infield mix. Wetherholt 3B, Saggese 2B, Donovan LF is a possibility depending on how Walker and Gorman hit.

[BrummerStealsHome]

If the Marmot is still around, probably middle relief.

[ramfandan]

I would like to know Bloom's long term thinking on Donovan .
Donnie had his first year arb and makes $2,850,000
2026 will be his 2nd arb and 2027 3rd arb
He is unrestricted free agent in 2028 He will be 31 years old then. (he is 28 years old now ) .

At age 31 years old, he would want a 5 yr or + that . Is Bloom going to pay him the BIG bucks for ages 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 years old OR will Bloom think , heck let him go and I will play JJ at 2nd base there and use the money to keep Winn at SS . Just throwing that out there. JJ's position may be determined by what Bloom does with Donnie .

Not the same scenario but remember when Cards had Kolten Wong at 2nd , they let him go because they had Tommy Edman waiting in the wings.
Often the higher priced guy is let go .

[CorneliusWolfe]

I figured he’d be high-level trade bait and only drafted because he unexpectedly fell in their laps as best player available.

MI wasn’t exactly a position of need. Saggesse, Prieto, Gorman, Fermin, etc. what are they going to do with all those guys? Maybe JAGs but with Winn/Donovan starter combo, some could provide pretty good depth.

Maybe team is planning on going cheap and letting Donovan walk, as they’ve already fought him in arbitration over peanuts. It would be a cheap and stupid move and doesn’t improve team.

Flip JJW for a high-end outfield prospect or pitching? Not a fan of switching him to outfield. Seen enough of that stuff last several years.

[CNYFan]

JJ's arrival is likely sometime after the ASB in 2026.
There is no room for him in the infield without a trade or injury.
My answer to the inquiry is 2B, 3B or both

[BrockFloodMaris]

JJ's arrival is likely sometime after the ASB in 2026.
There is no room for him in the infield without a trade or injury.
My answer to the inquiry is 2B, 3B or both

I agree. I would start giving him reps at 3B in AA to see if he’d fit there in MLB.

[jcgmoi]

Shortstop for the Braves or Brewers or Rays.

[Shady]

JJ's arrival is likely sometime after the ASB in 2026.
There is no room for him in the infield without a trade or injury.
My answer to the inquiry is 2B, 3B or both

I agree. I would start giving him reps at 3B in AA to see if he’d fit there in MLB.

Considering Gorman's uncertainty, and Arenado likely moving on. Wetherholt getting work at 3B now at AA makes a ton of sense, indeed.

[kyace]

Cards could trade Donovan if they believe in Wetherholt and Saggesse as they are both are best at second base. Donovan was very good at third before he hurt his arm so he could move over there if Arenado is moved.

[An Old Friend]

I figured he’d be high-level trade bait and only drafted because he unexpectedly fell in their laps as best player available.

MI wasn’t exactly a position of need. Saggesse, Prieto, Gorman, Fermin, etc. what are they going to do with all those guys? Maybe JAGs but with Winn/Donovan starter combo, some could provide pretty good depth.

Maybe team is planning on going cheap and letting Donovan walk, as they’ve already fought him in arbitration over peanuts. It would be a cheap and stupid move and doesn’t improve team.

Flip JJW for a high-end outfield prospect or pitching? Not a fan of switching him to outfield. Seen enough of that stuff last several years.

I can’t guarantee much, but I can guarantee you that moving Wetherholt in a trade is not in any way part of a discussion.

[craviduce]

I figured he’d be high-level trade bait and only drafted because he unexpectedly fell in their laps as best player available.

MI wasn’t exactly a position of need. Saggesse, Prieto, Gorman, Fermin, etc. what are they going to do with all those guys? Maybe JAGs but with Winn/Donovan starter combo, some could provide pretty good depth.

Maybe team is planning on going cheap and letting Donovan walk, as they’ve already fought him in arbitration over peanuts. It would be a cheap and stupid move and doesn’t improve team.

Flip JJW for a high-end outfield prospect or pitching? Not a fan of switching him to outfield. Seen enough of that stuff last several years.

I can’t guarantee much, but I can guarantee you that moving Wetherholt in a trade is not in any way part of a discussion.

100% agree, AOF.

[Dazepster]

I would like to know Bloom's long term thinking on Donovan .
Donnie had his first year arb and makes $2,850,000
2026 will be his 2nd arb and 2027 3rd arb
He is unrestricted free agent in 2028 He will be 31 years old then. (he is 28 years old now ) .

At age 31 years old, he would want a 5 yr or + that . Is Bloom going to pay him the BIG bucks for ages 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 years old OR will Bloom think , heck let him go and I will play JJ at 2nd base there and use the money to keep Winn at SS . Just throwing that out there. JJ's position may be determined by what Bloom does with Donnie .

Not the same scenario but remember when Cards had Kolten Wong at 2nd , they let him go because they had Tommy Edman waiting in the wings.
Often the higher priced guy is let go .

I look to sign him now. Buy out last 2 years of Arb if that is what he has and an extra year and an option for one more after that.

He ain't a Star, but a solid dependable piece. Don't see him aging well hence my short term contract view.

If he is your worst player, you in good shape. If he is 1 one your best players, you may be up the creek.

The numbers obviously matter but I think you could put together something that provides the team with Value while giving him the security I am sure he hopes for.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

I'm going to say 3B and that his power develops more than you might think. Not that he'll a big slugger or anything, but I think he'll have some decent power at 3B.