PadsFS07 wrote: ↑16 Jun 2025 12:07 pm
Our projected payroll will be $60M less than the 2020-2024 average payroll. As of now, our best lineup is
Donovan
Herrera
Burleson (DH)
Contreras
Gorman
Arenado
Nootbaar
Winn
Scott
Long-term, we are probably good with a rotation of Donovan/Gorman at 2B, Donovan/Nootbaar at LF, Nootbaar/Walker at RF, and Herrera/Gorman at DH. I think the odd man out is Burleson and he probably has the best trade value he'll ever have. I'd rather Wetherholt start in AAA in 2026 also.
Pitching-wise, we have Gray Pallante Liberatore McGreevy Mathews and Roby as the penciled in starters for 2026.
I think at least one FA starter is imperative. There aren't any holes in our lineup, but there isn't a lot of upside either. I do like the idea of dealing Nootbaar and Burleson to add some outfield help. Keep Scott and Walker and hope the light switch flips on for them.
My guess is he’s in AAA by July 1st, so I think he’ll at least get 2-3 months in AAA this season. That to me gives me a good feeling he could be ready for Opening Day in St. Louis in 2026.
Agree. You folks need to watch JJ every day. He’s the new 2b in 2026. And no, he’s not a third baseman.
And mark my words, Bernal will be here sooner than anyone expects.
Chase Davis has more holes in his swing than a pound of Swiss cheese. I don’t see him as a productive future Cardinal. The key to the future is Josh Baez. He’s a very good fielder extremely good base runner and if he can keep hitting that changes the complexion for the outfield. It’s a big IF though.
Over two months since this post, Baez continues to have, by far, the best OPS on the Springfield team at .874. Counting his A+ stats, he has .881 OPS with 15 HR and 46 SBs (7 CS). And he's a very good defender and could play CF -- IF his bat is for real. He's a physical specimen.
Let's hope they give him a look, as Victor Scott isn't the answer.
He and JJW could help this team a good deal next year.
PadsFS07 wrote: ↑16 Jun 2025 12:07 pm
Our projected payroll will be $60M less than the 2020-2024 average payroll. As of now, our best lineup is
Donovan
Herrera
Burleson (DH)
Contreras
Gorman
Arenado
Nootbaar
Winn
Scott
Long-term, we are probably good with a rotation of Donovan/Gorman at 2B, Donovan/Nootbaar at LF, Nootbaar/Walker at RF, and Herrera/Gorman at DH. I think the odd man out is Burleson and he probably has the best trade value he'll ever have. I'd rather Wetherholt start in AAA in 2026 also.
Pitching-wise, we have Gray Pallante Liberatore McGreevy Mathews and Roby as the penciled in starters for 2026.
I think at least one FA starter is imperative. There aren't any holes in our lineup, but there isn't a lot of upside either. I do like the idea of dealing Nootbaar and Burleson to add some outfield help. Keep Scott and Walker and hope the light switch flips on for them.
My guess is he’s in AAA by July 1st, so I think he’ll at least get 2-3 months in AAA this season. That to me gives me a good feeling he could be ready for Opening Day in St. Louis in 2026.
Agree. You folks need to watch JJ every day. He’s the new 2b in 2026. And no, he’s not a third baseman.
And mark my words, Bernal will be here sooner than anyone expects.
Chase Davis has more holes in his swing than a pound of Swiss cheese. I don’t see him as a productive future Cardinal. The key to the future is Josh Baez. He’s a very good fielder extremely good base runner and if he can keep hitting that changes the complexion for the outfield. It’s a big IF though.
Over two months since this post, Baez continues to have, by far, the best OPS on the Springfield team at .874. Counting his A+ stats, he has .881 OPS with 15 HR and 46 SBs (7 CS). And he's a very good defender and could play CF -- IF his bat is for real. He's a physical specimen.
Let's hope they give him a look, as Victor Scott isn't the answer.
He and JJW could help this team a good deal next year.
Going from AA to the majors seems like repeating the Walker mistake. Start him at AAA and make him force the issue. I kind of wish they had put him at Memphis when they promoted Church just to see how it went.
imadangman wrote: ↑15 Jun 2025 15:59 pm
1. Shop Arenado this upcoming deadline. Shop Nootbaar too. Call up Wetherholt stick him at 3B and leadoff.
2. Sign Pete Alonso 4/130. We need power. Where else you gonna go for a guaranteed 45 HR? I won't say the other, I want Alonso. For a team crying about finance, Alonso seems like an agreeable target. Not a true long-term exposure.
3. Reunite with fan favorites Jack Flaherty and Harrison Bader (4th OF).
2026
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
LF Donovan
1B Alonso
DH Contreras/Burleson
RF Walker/Burleson
C Herrera/Crooks
3B Gorman
CF Scott II
PadsFS07 wrote: ↑16 Jun 2025 12:07 pm
Our projected payroll will be $60M less than the 2020-2024 average payroll. As of now, our best lineup is
Donovan
Herrera
Burleson (DH)
Contreras
Gorman
Arenado
Nootbaar
Winn
Scott
Long-term, we are probably good with a rotation of Donovan/Gorman at 2B, Donovan/Nootbaar at LF, Nootbaar/Walker at RF, and Herrera/Gorman at DH. I think the odd man out is Burleson and he probably has the best trade value he'll ever have. I'd rather Wetherholt start in AAA in 2026 also.
Pitching-wise, we have Gray Pallante Liberatore McGreevy Mathews and Roby as the penciled in starters for 2026.
I think at least one FA starter is imperative. There aren't any holes in our lineup, but there isn't a lot of upside either. I do like the idea of dealing Nootbaar and Burleson to add some outfield help. Keep Scott and Walker and hope the light switch flips on for them.
My guess is he’s in AAA by July 1st, so I think he’ll at least get 2-3 months in AAA this season. That to me gives me a good feeling he could be ready for Opening Day in St. Louis in 2026.
Agree. You folks need to watch JJ every day. He’s the new 2b in 2026. And no, he’s not a third baseman.
And mark my words, Bernal will be here sooner than anyone expects.
Chase Davis has more holes in his swing than a pound of Swiss cheese. I don’t see him as a productive future Cardinal. The key to the future is Josh Baez. He’s a very good fielder extremely good base runner and if he can keep hitting that changes the complexion for the outfield. It’s a big IF though.
Over two months since this post, Baez continues to have, by far, the best OPS on the Springfield team at .874. Counting his A+ stats, he has .881 OPS with 15 HR and 46 SBs (7 CS). And he's a very good defender and could play CF -- IF his bat is for real. He's a physical specimen.
Let's hope they give him a look, as Victor Scott isn't the answer.
He and JJW could help this team a good deal next year.
Going from AA to the majors seems like repeating the Walker mistake. Start him at AAA and make him force the issue. I kind of wish they had put him at Memphis when they promoted Church just to see how it went.
Yeah, my "give him a look" wasn't intended for this year, esp. since they have Church to give ABs. Just some time next year -- IF he's still performing.
