Who will be the starting 3B to open the '26 season?

[RunSup]

I just traded Arenado back to the Rockies in another thread it gives the Rockies a HoF'er wearing their hat when he is inducted AND most of their money back from the trade.

I also traded Contreras to play with his brother on the Brewers next year in another thread. They can use his bat.

So corner infield is wide open. The starter at 3B will be Donovan, Gorman, Wetherholt in that order. Depending on who is left after more trades. Walker and Herrera are wild cards for 3B. Jose Oquendo has a busy fall if he's still coaching.

Wetherholt will be the preferred 2B. I think they could bring back a 3B in the trades. But preference and need is starting pitching.

Bloom is not signing any FA that costs him a draft pick in 2026 or international signing pool money this off season.

[FrankTheTank]

Justin Turner

We sign him in the offseason for his leadership capabilities and clubhouse presence.

[Shady]

If Nolan Arenado is here (he will be) and healthy, he will open the season as the 3B. If we can settle this in our minds, we won't need to discuss it for the next 7 months.

If Arenado's contract must play at 3B in '26. What do the Cardinals do with Gorman, Donovan, Saggese and Wetherholt?

[Youboughtit]

Arenado, Gorman, Donovan, Wetherholt, Saggese, Prieto, Blaze Jordan, someone else. Whom would you prefer there? A lot depends on how 2B works out.

No one. There won’t be a season unless full revenue sharing approved by owners to make cap work.

[Youboughtit]

If Nolan Arenado is here (he will be) and healthy, he will open the season as the 3B. If we can settle this in our minds, we won't need to discuss it for the next 7 months.

If Arenado's contract must play at 3B in '26. What do the Cardinals do with Gorman, Donovan, Saggese and Wetherholt?

Gorman is a DH only. Have you watched the last 3 games? Horrible at 3B.

[sp25]

Justin Turner

We sign him in the offseason for his leadership capabilities and clubhouse presence.

We could get Matt Carpenter for a song to fill those roles.

[Cusecards]

Arenado if he isn’t dealt.
If he is dealt it sets off a ripple/domino affect.
Then it could fall to Gorman, Donovan, or Wetherholt.
I still think Wetherholt winds up at 2B but who knows?

[cardstatman]

Interestingly, Donovan is the best 3B on the team if you just pay attention to fielding a ball and throwing out a runner.

2021-2025 assists and putouts per 9 innings at 3B
3.27 0.67 Donovan (SSS alert - about 30 games at 3B; however, that is 36 assists ahead of Arenado's pace)
2.45 0.74 Hampson
2.08 0.71 Arenado
1.99 0.52 Saggese
1.82 0.42 Gorman
1.56 0.92 Fermin

I'm hoping Gorman plays enough 3B over the next few weeks to solidify the obvious fact that he can't play 3B. He's going to get worse as he ages IMHO.

Just for fun, the same stats show that Donovan is not that good at 2B. Below average range, but not awful.
3.29 1.57 Saggese
2.96 1.84 Hampson
2.81 1.70 Gorman
2.81 1.32 Fermin
2.78 1.63 Donovan

[cardstatman]

In other news, we have Saggese at 3B and Donovan at 2B today. Only important if you are trying to win though.