NLC race

[rockondlouie]

Just say "no" to Sandy A.

16 GS
6.98 ERA
4.69 FiP
1.48 WHiP

Perhaps he gets back on track in 2026 but he's NOT going to be of any help this season.

Someone cited stats for his last month and they looked good, like he was getting back to his old self. But..when referencing just now, I see he got rocked pretty badly yesterday, momentarily derailing mine and BDs argument. Need more sample I guess, but time is running short.

I wouldn't give up anything of value for him.

But he could rebound and be very good next season.

I don't think we're getting anything of long term value unless we give up legit prospects. I don't want to do that. I just want to improve upon what we have, which shouldn't be hard to do. As bad as he's been Ozuna could help until Herrera gets back. Gallen is a wild card. He's been all over the place. Frankly I'd rather see him pitch than Mikolas or Pallante. Right now Pallante seems better suited for the RH Matz role. Both players are playing for 2026 contracts. If they've got anything left in the tank now would be the time to showcase it.

Been saying essentially the same (sans adding Ozuna).

[3dender]

NL Central is the only division with more than 2 teams that have at least a +40 run differential... and we have 4 teams.

[Futuregm2]

NL Central is the only division with more than 2 teams that have at least a +40 run differential... and we have 4 teams.

And only one of the other divisions has 2 teams with 40+, the AL East.

[Futuregm2]

And only division with 3 teams with a .500+ road record. Reds are at 20-21, too.

NL Central has 3 teams with a .500+ or better road and home record. AL East has 2, AL Central 1, AL West 1 (not the division leader though), NL East 1, and NL West 1.

[3dender]

NL Central is the only division with more than 2 teams that have at least a +40 run differential... and we have 4 teams.

And only one of the other divisions has 2 teams with 40+, the AL East.

Some fun with run differentials:

Division Rankings by Run Differential
1. NLC: +203
2. ALE: +113
3. NLE: -45
4. ALC: -75 (only 1 team w/positive differential: DET)
5. NLW: -80 (All positive except COL with -221)
6. ALW: -116 (SAC with -142)

NLC is one of two divisions (NLW) that has 4 teams with a positive run differential.

The ALC has a pretty strong argument for being the worst division in baseball, since the two below it have two teams between them that combine for -363 runs.

[Futuregm2]

NL Central is the only division with more than 2 teams that have at least a +40 run differential... and we have 4 teams.

And only one of the other divisions has 2 teams with 40+, the AL East.

Some fun with run differentials:

Division Rankings by Run Differential
1. NLC: +203
2. ALE: +113
3. NLE: -45
4. ALC: -75 (only 1 team w/positive differential: DET)
5. NLW: -80 (All positive except COL with -221)
6. ALW: -116 (SAC with -142)

NLC is one of two divisions (NLW) that has 4 teams with a positive run differential.

The ALC has a pretty strong argument for being the worst division in baseball, since the two below it have two teams between them that combine for -363 runs.

Sad part with Sacramento is their offense is actually solid. But their pitching is downright ugly. If you put the Athletics offense with the Pirates pitching staff you’d have a legit playoff contender.

NL Central is also the only division without a team with -50 or more in run differential.

[CorneliusWolfe]

NL Central is the only division with more than 2 teams that have at least a +40 run differential... and we have 4 teams.

And only one of the other divisions has 2 teams with 40+, the AL East.

Some fun with run differentials:

Division Rankings by Run Differential
1. NLC: +203
2. ALE: +113
3. NLE: -45
4. ALC: -75 (only 1 team w/positive differential: DET)
5. NLW: -80 (All positive except COL with -221)
6. ALW: -116 (SAC with -142)

NLC is one of two divisions (NLW) that has 4 teams with a positive run differential.

The ALC has a pretty strong argument for being the worst division in baseball, since the two below it have two teams between them that combine for -363 runs.

Good stuff. NLC tougher than some think. Whoever wins will go in playoffs playing well because no team will be able to rest on a big lead and back in. They’ll have earned it playing well down the stretch
and already be in playoff mode.

[3dender]

Sad part with Sacramento is their offense is actually solid. But their pitching is downright ugly. If you put the Athletics offense with the Pirates pitching staff you’d have a legit playoff contender.

I might quibble with "solid"... they're 13th in runs scored with 354. But yes 2nd worst in runs against, just 20 behind COL at 496. Next closest is Nationals with 434.

[hugeCardfan]

So much for putting down the NL Central Division; strongest in baseball.

[ICCFIM2]

MO,go get Sandy and an OF bat
You wont get another chance

Let me throw a name out there for the OF bat, Brent Rooker of the A's. He is there DH and does not play a great OF. But, he is a proven 30HR guy and is signed for 5/$60M through 2029. His NTV is $47M. If you offered the A's Noot, Walker and 1 of Roby, Hence or Mathews, that probably gets it done. Steep price to paired with Herrera, the Cards would have the MOTOB they need for the next 4.5 seasons along with Herrera. The OF defense would suffer. If they can get Alcantara, which probably cost them one of the other 2 SP prospects plus, they would have the SP and the bats needed to go all the way. They would also have significant player control going forward.

I combed through the teams and came up with that name too. Something would have to give. We'd have a lot of DHs.

What would give is the OF defense would be worse...Then you hope over the off season Herrera becomes a good OF...There are not that many bats out there on non-contending teams. In fact, he might be the only one. Given his control years and the low cost of the contract, he makes the most sense, albeit, with the only issue being defense.

Good assessment. Rooker is a reasonable and possibly attainable suggestion, but I’d hate to degrade the defense or add to DH logjam.

I don’t know Herrera’s injury history before the big leagues, but wondering if he’s like a Tyler O’Neil/IL guy. Seems hurt a lot in a short time. If that’s the case then Rooker could make sense.

I’d love to get Rooker, but yes adding another DH to the mix is still something I’d have a hard time coming around to. Unfortunately there aren’t a ton of options out there IMO.

It is a good point with respect to whether Herrera's injury history makes him purely a DH. He does have good running speed so should certainly have the athleticism to be a decent OF. Rooker has proven he is not a good OF. The main reason to target him is that he has a very team friendly contract. Therefore, giving up prospects for him makes sense because of the control. Also, if the Cards end up with a redundancy, Rooker is a guy that could be traded to recoup those prospects in a year or two. If the Cards want to try to win this year, he makes sense because he along with a TOR SP could make the Cards true contenders this year. Rooker is also an asset such that if Baez emerges in say 2027, they could trade him and replenish the system.

[CorneliusWolfe]

MO,go get Sandy and an OF bat
You wont get another chance

Let me throw a name out there for the OF bat, Brent Rooker of the A's. He is there DH and does not play a great OF. But, he is a proven 30HR guy and is signed for 5/$60M through 2029. His NTV is $47M. If you offered the A's Noot, Walker and 1 of Roby, Hence or Mathews, that probably gets it done. Steep price to paired with Herrera, the Cards would have the MOTOB they need for the next 4.5 seasons along with Herrera. The OF defense would suffer. If they can get Alcantara, which probably cost them one of the other 2 SP prospects plus, they would have the SP and the bats needed to go all the way. They would also have significant player control going forward.

I combed through the teams and came up with that name too. Something would have to give. We'd have a lot of DHs.

What would give is the OF defense would be worse...Then you hope over the off season Herrera becomes a good OF...There are not that many bats out there on non-contending teams. In fact, he might be the only one. Given his control years and the low cost of the contract, he makes the most sense, albeit, with the only issue being defense.

Good assessment. Rooker is a reasonable and possibly attainable suggestion, but I’d hate to degrade the defense or add to DH logjam.

I don’t know Herrera’s injury history before the big leagues, but wondering if he’s like a Tyler O’Neil/IL guy. Seems hurt a lot in a short time. If that’s the case then Rooker could make sense.

I’d love to get Rooker, but yes adding another DH to the mix is still something I’d have a hard time coming around to. Unfortunately there aren’t a ton of options out there IMO.

It is a good point with respect to whether Herrera's injury history makes him purely a DH. He does have good running speed so should certainly have the athleticism to be a decent OF. Rooker has proven he is not a good OF. The main reason to target him is that he has a very team friendly contract. Therefore, giving up prospects for him makes sense because of the control. Also, if the Cards end up with a redundancy, Rooker is a guy that could be traded to recoup those prospects in a year or two. If the Cards want to try to win this year, he makes sense because he along with a TOR SP could make the Cards true contenders this year. Rooker is also an asset such that if Baez emerges in say 2027, they could trade him and replenish the system.

The more I read on Rooker the more I like the idea. Team might have to get a little creative on how they improve, and that would be a good example. Sometimes the exact need isn’t conveniently available. A true OFer is ideal but a good RH power hitter to bolster DH would definitely help. I like the flexibility you mentioned too pertaining to his salary and trade ability down the road.