Wetherholt Promoted to AAA

[corner]

Position players as of today:
Young “keepers”- Donovan, Winn
Young “probable keepers”- Herrera, Burleson
Veteran “keeper”?- Contreras
Veteran “on the fence”- Arenado, Nootbaar
TBD- Gorman, Walker, Scott, Saggese, Pages, Pozo

Obviously some holes to fill after the keepers.
Excited about Wetherholt and the two Catchers(Crooks and Bernal) for 2026!
Getting there but nice if a couple emerge from the TBD list.
Still have some time to find out.

Think you’ve nailed my thinking!

[Cusecards]

Position players as of today:
Young “keepers”- Donovan, Winn
Young “probable keepers”- Herrera, Burleson
Veteran “keeper”?- Contreras
Veteran “on the fence”- Arenado, Nootbaar
TBD- Gorman, Walker, Scott, Saggese, Pages, Pozo

Obviously some holes to fill after the keepers.
Excited about Wetherholt and the two Catchers(Crooks and Bernal) for 2026!
Getting there but nice if a couple emerge from the TBD list.
Still have some time to find out.

Donovan will be 29 next year...that's young?

Trade him. Nothing is left off the table to be traded

Bernal and Crooks have proved what?

I apologize!

Not that big of a deal when it is all intertwined and dependent on other
factors. Donnie may bring back a good return, or he may not want to sign longer.
Gorman or Nootbaar could be dealt. At least one C could be dealt.

They have the makings of putting together a deal(s).
Obviously the level of return dictates what you consider dealing.

[Melville]

Very interesting timing.
After the Cub series debacle.
STL in the midst of an offensive drought.
Trade deadline approaching.
Message sent to players on the 40 man roster.
Message received.

I know I'm probably hitting the cynical button too hard, but I did see Bernie post this as well, so maybe there's something to it.

I wonder if JJ's call-up isn't a little red meat to the sharks who are out after last weekend. Not to say the kid doesn't deserve it. He absolutely does. But why now? He's been spanking that league pretty much all year. I get that you can't do it after a week or two...but again, he's torched that league pretty much from day one.

You are not being cynical any more than I am.
Why promote Wetherholt today - rather than a week ago or two weeks from now?
For the exact reasons I outlined above.
Anyone who does not see this is denying the obvious.
I don't have any idea what Bernie is doing these days, but if this is his take as well, he's not wrong.
This promotion is not a coincidence.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

[renostl]

Very interesting timing.
After the Cub series debacle.
STL in the midst of an offensive drought.
Trade deadline approaching.
Message sent to players on the 40 man roster.
Message received.

I know I'm probably hitting the cynical button too hard, but I did see Bernie post this as well, so maybe there's something to it.

I wonder if JJ's call-up isn't a little red meat to the sharks who are out after last weekend. Not to say the kid doesn't deserve it. He absolutely does. But why now? He's been spanking that league pretty much all year. I get that you can't do it after a week or two...but again, he's torched that league pretty much from day one.

You are not being cynical any more than I am.
Why promote Wetherholt today - rather than a week ago or two weeks from now?
For the exact reasons I outlined above.
Anyone who does not see this is denying the obvious.
I don't have any idea what Bernie is doing these days, but if this is his take as well, he's not wrong.
This promotion is not a coincidence.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

After showing that he could match his numbers that he achieved at Palm Beach in Springfield and indeed
did slightly better after a 60-game sample size why not move him up? The time line should be everything about
JJ and nothing more. He'll have genuine sample at Memphis. IF he continues his production there's
opportunity for maybe a September run or sooner, if not he'll learn more in Memphis.

It can be connected, doesn't have to be connected.

[Goldfan]

Is he a better hitter now than
Winn
Pages
Noot
Scott
Hampsen
Gorman

If so, why isn’t he in Stl lineup?

[Swuhgen]

Is he a better hitter now than
Winn
Pages
Noot
Scott
Hampsen
Gorman

If so, why isn’t he in Stl lineup?

lol.
You can’t be serious.

[imetsatchelpaige]

Is he a better hitter now than
Winn
Pages
Noot
Scott
Hampsen
Gorman

If so, why isn’t he in Stl lineup?

My God…. You really can’t be this dense can you?

[Cusecards]

Is he a better hitter now than
Winn
Pages
Noot
Scott
Hampsen
Gorman

If so, why isn’t he in Stl lineup?

My God…. You really can’t be this dense can you?

Unfortunately the answer is yes!
Next time you’re sitting on the toilet do a “search” of his posts.

[Goldfan]

Is he a better hitter now than
Winn
Pages
Noot
Scott
Hampsen
Gorman

If so, why isn’t he in Stl lineup?

My God…. You really can’t be this dense can you?

Answer the question. Is he a better hitter than those listed?

[Melville]

Very interesting timing.
After the Cub series debacle.
STL in the midst of an offensive drought.
Trade deadline approaching.
Message sent to players on the 40 man roster.
Message received.

I know I'm probably hitting the cynical button too hard, but I did see Bernie post this as well, so maybe there's something to it.

I wonder if JJ's call-up isn't a little red meat to the sharks who are out after last weekend. Not to say the kid doesn't deserve it. He absolutely does. But why now? He's been spanking that league pretty much all year. I get that you can't do it after a week or two...but again, he's torched that league pretty much from day one.

You are not being cynical any more than I am.
Why promote Wetherholt today - rather than a week ago or two weeks from now?
For the exact reasons I outlined above.
Anyone who does not see this is denying the obvious.
I don't have any idea what Bernie is doing these days, but if this is his take as well, he's not wrong.
This promotion is not a coincidence.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

After showing that he could match his numbers that he achieved at Palm Beach in Springfield and indeed
did slightly better after a 60-game sample size why not move him up? The time line should be everything about
JJ and nothing more. He'll have genuine sample at Memphis. IF he continues his production there's
opportunity for maybe a September run or sooner, if not he'll learn more in Memphis.

It can be connected, doesn't have to be connected.

I agree the promotion is certainly deserved.
But the timing is fully intentional and is far more related to what is going on in STL than what will happen in Memphis.
Look at the STL schedule.
Next 6 games at home against Washington and Atlanta.
Then after the AGS break, six on the road in AZ and CO.
12 games against sub-.500 teams.
The players in STL know full well that they are expected to dominate that stretch of games.
And Wetherholt is literally being positioned in Memphis as one more reminder of that.
Zero question this is a move with a message.

[Goldfan]

Is he a better hitter now than
Winn
Pages
Noot
Scott
Hampsen
Gorman

If so, why isn’t he in Stl lineup?

My God…. You really can’t be this dense can you?

Unfortunately the answer is yes!
Next time you’re sitting on the toilet do a “search” of his posts.

Cuse….answer the question. You and your buddy Paige typically bring nothing about insightful about players or games but REALLY get your rocks off critiquing CTers posts…..so please give your insight how those listed above are much better hitters than JJ

[Cusecards]

Is he a better hitter now than
Winn
Pages
Noot
Scott
Hampsen
Gorman

If so, why isn’t he in Stl lineup?

My God…. You really can’t be this dense can you?

Unfortunately the answer is yes!
Next time you’re sitting on the toilet do a “search” of his posts.

Cuse….answer the question. You and your buddy Paige typically bring nothing about insightful about players or games but REALLY get your rocks off critiquing CTers posts…..so please give your insight how those listed above are much better hitters than JJ

I was simply doubling down on the “opinions” of two other posters.
This is still an OPINION forum right???? LOL

[Goldfan]

Is he a better hitter now than
Winn
Pages
Noot
Scott
Hampsen
Gorman

If so, why isn’t he in Stl lineup?

My God…. You really can’t be this dense can you?

Unfortunately the answer is yes!
Next time you’re sitting on the toilet do a “search” of his posts.

Cuse….answer the question. You and your buddy Paige typically bring nothing about insightful about players or games but REALLY get your rocks off critiquing CTers posts…..so please give your insight how those listed above are much better hitters than JJ

I was simply doubling down on the “opinions” of two other posters.
This is still an OPINION forum right???? LOL

JJ has an open stance similar to what Gorman has gone back to but JJ closes and stays on the pitch, if Gorman could master this he’d hit 40HR….
Some players are natural hitters . He was hitting .300, .425, .900 at AA

[EastCoastDave]

JJ spit time between SS and 2nd in Springfield.
Personally, I would like the majority of his games in Memphis at 2nf base as Winn has SS in the majors . 2nd seems his likely full time spot in majors so give him max reps there IMO.

I suggest giving JJ reps at 2B and at SS in Memphis and again in ST. I love good healthy competition. Let the cream rise to the top. Maybe we will end up with two MLB-caliber short stops. What a tragedy that would be? It might create a trade opportunity. You can always move him back to 2B, if it doesn't work out.

I would think the Cards have their shortstop of the future currently occupying the position. Then the question becomes, what happens to the incumbent second baseman? Move to outfield? Who exits there? There’s no question the Cards need another positive bat in the lineup, but to get that bat in the lineup, someone’s gonna have to go. I hope JJ is here late this year and all of next year. I hope Gorman hits enough that the Cards trade Aranado and that Jordan solves his issues and becomes more than what he is now. But at this point, all of this is hope and speculation.

[bccardsfan]

Wait for the trade deadline to see if any current players on the roster move. Wait to see what JJ does in Memphis. It is possible he is a late season callup, but this kid has a good chance of a successful major league career. They are not going to start his clock so that they maximize years of control. Not with a team that at best will be a wild card. With the pitching we have, we are unlikely to challenge for the division. Of course anything is possible, but just wait and see. There is no reason to bring JJ up this year. He will get his chance to make the club coming out of spring training.

As to Goldfan's question. Yes, I can see that JJ could certainly hit better than Hampson or Pages or... but he also looked totally overmatched later in ST, AND, they don't want to start the kid's clock. They want him to have success in Memphis so the earliest you would see him is a late season call up. Whether he hits better than those on your list is irrelevant in the long-term plan.

[renostl]

Very interesting timing.
After the Cub series debacle.
STL in the midst of an offensive drought.
Trade deadline approaching.
Message sent to players on the 40 man roster.
Message received.

I know I'm probably hitting the cynical button too hard, but I did see Bernie post this as well, so maybe there's something to it.

I wonder if JJ's call-up isn't a little red meat to the sharks who are out after last weekend. Not to say the kid doesn't deserve it. He absolutely does. But why now? He's been spanking that league pretty much all year. I get that you can't do it after a week or two...but again, he's torched that league pretty much from day one.

You are not being cynical any more than I am.
Why promote Wetherholt today - rather than a week ago or two weeks from now?
For the exact reasons I outlined above.
Anyone who does not see this is denying the obvious.
I don't have any idea what Bernie is doing these days, but if this is his take as well, he's not wrong.
This promotion is not a coincidence.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

After showing that he could match his numbers that he achieved at Palm Beach in Springfield and indeed
did slightly better after a 60-game sample size why not move him up? The time line should be everything about
JJ and nothing more. He'll have genuine sample at Memphis. IF he continues his production there's
opportunity for maybe a September run or sooner, if not he'll learn more in Memphis.

It can be connected, doesn't have to be connected.

I agree the promotion is certainly deserved.
But the timing is fully intentional and is far more related to what is going on in STL than what will happen in Memphis.
Look at the STL schedule.
Next 6 games at home against Washington and Atlanta.
Then after the AGS break, six on the road in AZ and CO.
12 games against sub-.500 teams.
The players in STL know full well that they are expected to dominate that stretch of games.
And Wetherholt is literally being positioned in Memphis as one more reminder of that.
Zero question this is a move with a message.

IF deserved and you want to get a 40+ game run at AAA this season
then now is a good time to position the team's top prospect.

A lot of possibilities here Mel. As such you can be 100% correct.
The TD could also change the roster. IF I'm POBO, IF JJ gets promoted,
it is when it doesn't affect his status. The next 12 games, if they have any
influence it's more on Oli than JJ.