Oli says Burleson is everyday player

[AZ_Cardsfan]

Burleson is a good news bad news player.

The good is he has improved every year and this year is a legitimate bat playing OK LF and 1B. Against RHP he is a legit #4-6 hitter. Against LHP further down knowing he will probably face a RHP later in the game. At 26 he will probably maintain a 120 OPS+ for a few more years. Maybe even improve a little.

Bad news is at age 26 with this much ML exposure most players break out and exhibit their ceiling. This is it.

I would say on this team he IS an everyday player. He should be put in LF and left there. Or DH. Or 1B. Whatever. Not like he is blocking a guy who can play 150 games in our OF.

[Strummer Jones]

Burly is an every day MLB player. He’s a 6 or 7 hitter, though. Not a 3.

Why is it most of the forum can’t grasp that there are options between he sucks DFA him and he’s a superstar lock him in the middle of the order?

+100

Burly is a good player. He is not who you anchor a lineup on.

[hmoss859]

That’s actually a Chaim Bloom decision for 2026

[Basil Shabazz]

TGKS minus the walks and elite power.

[CardMUfan]

Slow station to station base runner, we have too many!

[Lightning Rod]

Showing to be a platoon player. Rarely hits a lefty, but seems cemented in the 3 spot.

Not necessarily directed to you MidMo, just venting.

Many on here clamor for a sore back, often unable to play, guy hitting .220, Gorman, to play everyday. They talk about Burley being a poor defensive player, even though he's playing out of position, and doing a decent job IMHO, yet Gorman sucks everywhere he plays (when he's able to play). Burley's a decent player, and on this team he's one of the few good players, so people show back off until we have somebody better. Rant over.

[renostl]

Burleson is a good news bad news player.

The good is he has improved every year and this year is a legitimate bat playing OK LF and 1B. Against RHP he is a legit #4-6 hitter. Against LHP further down knowing he will probably face a RHP later in the game. At 26 he will probably maintain a 120 OPS+ for a few more years. Maybe even improve a little.

Bad news is at age 26 with this much ML exposure most players break out and exhibit their ceiling. This is it.

I would say on this team he IS an everyday player. He should be put in LF and left there. Or DH. Or 1B. Whatever. Not like he is blocking a guy who can play 150 games in our OF.

The Cardinals already have glove first players that have migrated to the 7-9 or 6-9 spots
in the lineup. It would be best if the bat first guys didn't also profile for those spots.

Burleson has had his best season. While that has been decent, with how he profiles in a station
to station guy and an OK glove he needs to bring a bit more SLG. I'd keep him over Donnie
IF Donnie is an outfielder moving forward.

[Shady]

Showing to be a platoon player. Rarely hits a lefty, but seems cemented in the 3 spot.

Not necessarily directed to you MidMo, just venting.

Many on here clamor for a sore back, often unable to play, guy hitting .220, Gorman, to play everyday. They talk about Burley being a poor defensive player, even though he's playing out of position, and doing a decent job IMHO, yet Gorman sucks everywhere he plays (when he's able to play). Burley's a decent player, and on this team he's one of the few good players, so people show back off until we have somebody better. Rant over.

Many posters are just trying to "save face" after their insisting Burleson would never be a productive MLB player. Nothing Burleson does ever seems to be good enough for them.

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

Showing to be a platoon player. Rarely hits a lefty, but seems cemented in the 3 spot.

Not necessarily directed to you MidMo, just venting.

Many on here clamor for a sore back, often unable to play, guy hitting .220, Gorman, to play everyday. They talk about Burley being a poor defensive player, even though he's playing out of position, and doing a decent job IMHO, yet Gorman sucks everywhere he plays (when he's able to play). Burley's a decent player, and on this team he's one of the few good players, so people show back off until we have somebody better. Rant over.

No problem. Each to his own. I believe he could be easily replaces and the team would be improved.

[Shady]

Showing to be a platoon player. Rarely hits a lefty, but seems cemented in the 3 spot.

Not necessarily directed to you MidMo, just venting.

Many on here clamor for a sore back, often unable to play, guy hitting .220, Gorman, to play everyday. They talk about Burley being a poor defensive player, even though he's playing out of position, and doing a decent job IMHO, yet Gorman sucks everywhere he plays (when he's able to play). Burley's a decent player, and on this team he's one of the few good players, so people show back off until we have somebody better. Rant over.

No problem. Each to his own. I believe he could be easily replaces and the team would be improved.

How many others in the current lineup do you feel could "easily" be replaced "and the team would be improved"? Please list them.

[renostl]

Showing to be a platoon player. Rarely hits a lefty, but seems cemented in the 3 spot.

Not necessarily directed to you MidMo, just venting.

Many on here clamor for a sore back, often unable to play, guy hitting .220, Gorman, to play everyday. They talk about Burley being a poor defensive player, even though he's playing out of position, and doing a decent job IMHO, yet Gorman sucks everywhere he plays (when he's able to play). Burley's a decent player, and on this team he's one of the few good players, so people show back off until we have somebody better. Rant over.

Many posters are just trying to "save face" after their insisting Burleson would never be a productive MLB player. Nothing Burleson does ever seems to be good enough for them.

So what is he to you?
Who does he beat for a roster spot. He isn't a starter at C, CF, 2B, 3B? or SS.
So where is he an absolute starter and since none of those positions bring SLG the players
that occupy those positions should bring it. Does he win a spot over WC? or IH? We can quickly be
down to 2 spots. IF JJ takes BD spot at 2B then what? I previously stated that
in that situation I'd lean Burleson so I'm not hating on the guy but those spots need to
bring some SLG or it rinse and repeat.

[Shady]

Showing to be a platoon player. Rarely hits a lefty, but seems cemented in the 3 spot.

Not necessarily directed to you MidMo, just venting.

Many on here clamor for a sore back, often unable to play, guy hitting .220, Gorman, to play everyday. They talk about Burley being a poor defensive player, even though he's playing out of position, and doing a decent job IMHO, yet Gorman sucks everywhere he plays (when he's able to play). Burley's a decent player, and on this team he's one of the few good players, so people show back off until we have somebody better. Rant over.

Many posters are just trying to "save face" after their insisting Burleson would never be a productive MLB player. Nothing Burleson does ever seems to be good enough for them.

So what is he to you?
Who does he beat for a roster spot. He isn't a starter at C, CF, 2B, 3B? or SS.
So where is he an absolute starter and since none of those positions bring SLG the players
that occupy those positions should bring it. Does he win a spot over WC? or IH? We can quickly be
down to 2 spots. IF JJ takes BD spot at 2B then what? I previously stated that
in that situation I'd lean Burleson so I'm not hating on the guy but those spots need to
bring some SLG or it rinse and repeat.

It would help the offense if either Contreras or Herrera were starting catcher. Then Burleson would be fine at either 1B or DH.

[renostl]

Showing to be a platoon player. Rarely hits a lefty, but seems cemented in the 3 spot.

Not necessarily directed to you MidMo, just venting.

Many on here clamor for a sore back, often unable to play, guy hitting .220, Gorman, to play everyday. They talk about Burley being a poor defensive player, even though he's playing out of position, and doing a decent job IMHO, yet Gorman sucks everywhere he plays (when he's able to play). Burley's a decent player, and on this team he's one of the few good players, so people show back off until we have somebody better. Rant over.

Many posters are just trying to "save face" after their insisting Burleson would never be a productive MLB player. Nothing Burleson does ever seems to be good enough for them.

So what is he to you?
Who does he beat for a roster spot. He isn't a starter at C, CF, 2B, 3B? or SS.
So where is he an absolute starter and since none of those positions bring SLG the players
that occupy those positions should bring it. Does he win a spot over WC? or IH? We can quickly be
down to 2 spots. IF JJ takes BD spot at 2B then what? I previously stated that
in that situation I'd lean Burleson so I'm not hating on the guy but those spots need to
bring some SLG or it rinse and repeat.

It would help the offense if either Contreras or Herrera were starting catcher. Then Burleson would be fine at either 1B or DH.

Which is fair.
The Cards seem good with WC at 1B and Herrera seems destined as a DH/OF
guy as of today. A trade can and will happen. Then however it shakes out.
The Cards, IMO, have few positions of receiving SLG. It isn't personal toward the player
or anyone. Just LF, RF, and DH must bring some or the team will meander assuming NA and WC
for the most point occupy the corners.

[greyhawk]

The guy who led the team in RBI last year? Seems reasonable enough.

Whch guy that he was better than last year would you sit him for?

Herein lies the problem --- he is the 2nd or 3rd best hitter currently. for this or any team he plays on that plans on winning he needs to be the 6th or 7th best hitter. No one on this roster is irreplaceable.

[nighthawk]

On this team, he is.

[renostl]

The guy who led the team in RBI last year? Seems reasonable enough.

Whch guy that he was better than last year would you sit him for?

Herein lies the problem --- he is the 2nd or 3rd best hitter currently. for this or any team he plays on that plans on winning he needs to be the 6th or 7th best hitter. No one on this roster is irreplaceable.

In actually zero attempt to be argumentative this
IMO is why the debates arise with Burleson. He is good in
the #6 spot even on "good" teams.