Next Year's Cardinal Outfield

[ICCFIM2]

I know this is a bit out of the box and might be borderline insane. But, what if next year's outfield was: Herrera in LF, JJ Wetherholt in CF, and Alec Burleson in RF? I believe the offensive output from these 3 could be near the top of the league. Now, I know this calls for putting 1 known not good outfielder in RF, and 2 completely unknowns in LF and CF, but I'd give it a whirl. JJ can play CF if he can play SS, 2b and 3b. Edman did it, Saggesse's done it. Heck, Kolten Wong did it.

That leaves you with Contreras at 1b, Donnie at 2b, Winn at SS, Arenado at 3rd, Crooks/Pages behind the dish, Saggesse and Church as IF/OF bench players and then go spend money on a big time bat that can play both 3rd base and DH.

Thoughts?

Wetherholdt should be in the infield, preferably at 3B if we can trade Arenado.

Burleson has a big arm, so RF makes sense for him. I am happy if Herrera can play LF. With Victor Scott in CF, they can afford to have two slower OFs around him as he chases down a lot. I don't see the Cards making any trades for OFs or signing any OFs unless the trade is for an OF prospect. With Baez now showing his potential and being a good RF, I would think they are going to hope he is the answer. If yes, that solves a lot of problems for this team.

Also, I think they continue with the Walker experiement for at least half of 2026. 2026 is going to be another runway year. I expect to see Walker in RF, Herrera will both catch some and play LF some etc. If Baez shows he is ready by July, I expect him to be given runway as well. The hope is that by the end of 2026 they know who the OF will be in 2027 with both certainty and hopefully everyone on this board will be happy with it as well.

[Cusecards]

I know this is a bit out of the box and might be borderline insane. But, what if next year's outfield was: Herrera in LF, JJ Wetherholt in CF, and Alec Burleson in RF? I believe the offensive output from these 3 could be near the top of the league. Now, I know this calls for putting 1 known not good outfielder in RF, and 2 completely unknowns in LF and CF, but I'd give it a whirl. JJ can play CF if he can play SS, 2b and 3b. Edman did it, Saggesse's done it. Heck, Kolten Wong did it.

That leaves you with Contreras at 1b, Donnie at 2b, Winn at SS, Arenado at 3rd, Crooks/Pages behind the dish, Saggesse and Church as IF/OF bench players and then go spend money on a big time bat that can play both 3rd base and DH.

Thoughts?

Arenado has said he doesn’t expect to be back so problem solved. Wetherholt to 2B and Donovan to 3B and go find a power hitting OF to pair with Scott in CF and a platoon of Burleson/Hererra at RF and DH

Agree!
And if Gorman and/or Walker actually does something then you figure something out.

[scoutyjones2]

What's wrong with playing Donovan in the outfield,since we have plenty of infielders? Donny doesn't look to bad out there,does he?

Then who plays 3B (not a fan of him there) or 2B? Does he SLG enough to play corner OF or 3B?

[Rojo Johnson]

I dont know why anyone would want to intentionally have one of the worst defensive outfields in the majors

Why would anyone intentionally have 4 catchers on the roster? That’s what happens when you have a shiny asz bookkeeper for a GM. Do you think a moron like that places much value on defense?

[Goldfan]

I dont know why anyone would want to intentionally have one of the worst defensive outfields in the majors

Why would anyone intentionally have 4 catchers on the roster? That’s what happens when you have a shiny asz bookkeeper for a GM. Do you think a moron like that places much value on defense?

Just checking is Bloom in charge yet…..or do we have to wait til the final second of the last day??

[Talkin' Baseball]

I dont know why anyone would want to intentionally have one of the worst defensive outfields in the majors

Why would anyone intentionally have 4 catchers on the roster? That’s what happens when you have a shiny asz bookkeeper for a GM. Do you think a moron like that places much value on defense?

Just checking is Bloom in charge yet…..or do we have to wait til the final second of the last day??

Technically I think it is November 1. Practically, probably the end of the season.

[JuanAgosto]

Burleson - LF
Scott/Church - CF
Nootbaar - RF

That's discouraging.

Only alternatives I can envision are Herrera in LF or possibly Walker if he was to figure things out. But Dewitt isn't spending on a FA. And any trade is going to be for pitching.

[riff raff]

Burleson - LF
Scott/Church - CF
Nootbaar - RF

That's discouraging.

Only alternatives I can envision are Herrera in LF or possibly Walker if he was to figure things out. But Dewitt isn't spending on a FA. And any trade is going to be for pitching.

Every time I try to figure this out it always comes back to whether Arenado is going to be here or not.
It's darn near futile to see any clear direction until his status is settled.

[Ozziesfan41]

I dont know why anyone would want to intentionally have one of the worst defensive outfields in the majors

Why would anyone intentionally have 4 catchers on the roster? That’s what happens when you have a shiny asz bookkeeper for a GM. Do you think a moron like that places much value on defense?

Hopefully bloom does. If he believes in analytics then yea defense will important

[redbirdfan51]

Bloom needs number one priority to obtain pitching, particularly starters and some bull pen depth. I think Bloom will also look to add a RH power hitting OF. Not sure if the Cards will stick with the plan for Herrera to be the everyday catcher. Shedding contracts on veterans is another priority to lower payroll but to open up opportunities for prospects.

[Janssen]

OK..

Have to agree with an earlier poster. Go out and find the best hitting coach out there.(Matt Holliday) send Gorman and Walker to AAA and let them work for a full year. Neither one of them have trade value right now, so it might be our only option. We cannot have both Walker and Scott’s bats in the lineup next year, as is.

I’m for giving a shot with Saggesse and Fermin fighting in spring training for a job at the 4
Winn at 6
Contreras, assuming he won’t waive at 3
JJ at the 5

Donny at the 7
Burleson at the 9
Church and Scott fighting for the 8(need that strong D to,help with average corners.
Ivan at the 2

Get a DH via free agency that may get you 20 dingers.

Trade Noot, NA, Pages, and Pozo(assuming we like JC’s defense.) for whatever pitching we can get. We NEED at least two starters. I truly believe if we can get an above average starting pitching rotation, we can compete. Maybe I’m in a dream world..🫨🫨

Here is the free agent pitching list for this off season.

Dylan Cease, Zac Gallen, Framber Valdez, Chris Sale (club option), Michael King (mutual option), Jack Flaherty (opt-out), Justin Verlander, Jordan Montgomery, Shane Bieber (player option), Shota Imanaga (club option/player option), Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, Brandon Woodruff (mutual option), Zach Eflin, Kodai Senga (opt-out), Ranger Suárez, Chris Bassitt, Walker Buehler (mutual option), Nestor Cortes, Jon Gray, Merrill Kelly, Frankie Montas (opt-out), Dustin May, Tyler Mahle, Freddy Peralta (club option), Nick Martinez, Marcus Stroman (vesting option), Lucas Giolito (club option), Aaron Civale, Kenta Maeda, Charlie Morton, Michael Lorenzen (mutual option), Germán Márquez, José Urquidy (club option), Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney, Kyle Hendricks, Steven Matz, Miles Mikolas, Chris Paddack, Erick Fedde, Alex Cobb, Tomoyuki Sugano, Jose Quintana (mutual option), Griffin Canning, Michael Soroka, Martín Pérez (mutual option), Colin Rea (club option), Cal Quantrill, Kyle Hart (club option), John Means (club option), Patrick Corbin, Kyle Gibson

There is a lot there to like. I know we won’t break the bank, but there has to be one or two 20 million dollar pitchers in there. Expensive? Maybe, maybe not. If we get rid of maybe half of NA salary, we lose Mile’s salary, Matz, Fedde, Helsley(I believe that gets us 55 million, assuming only half of NA’s). I like the idea of bringing Maton back.. What is Helsley looking for to right his ship?

So:

Donnie 4
Ivan 2
Burleson 9
FA acquisition DH
Contreras 3
JJ 5
Winn 6
Saggesse/Fermin 4
Scott/Church 8

1-2-3

Gray, Free agent, Free Agent

McGreevy
Libby

Swing starters or young ones

Leahy
Mathews
Henderson
Wilkerson and Taylor..both journeymen that had pretty good stats at AAA

BP

JJ
King
O’Brien
Svanson
Pallante
Fernandez
Granillo
Greceffo
Maton
Helsley

Whatever else left over from the pitchers who don’t start.

Manager: Molina

Gives your best two potential stars, the chance to re-invent themselves for a year at Memphis, allowing you to supplement your lineup in 2027 and make it really strong, or if they blossom, could be huge trade chips.

[Hoosier59]

What's wrong with playing Donovan in the outfield,since we have plenty of infielders? Donny doesn't look to bad out there,does he?

Then who plays 3B (not a fan of him there) or 2B? Does he SLG enough to play corner OF or 3B?

I don’t get this, he doesn’t slug enough to play 3rd base. Just how many slugging 3rd basemen are there in MLB? If Wetherholt plays 2nd base and hits over 20 homers, and Donovan plays 3rd base hits 12-15, what difference offensively does it make which one plays where? You play them where they fit best Defensively.
They are going to try Herrera at catcher again, and if he doesn’t he’ll mostly DH again. Burleson will play 1stbase if Contreras is dealt otherwise he’ll be in LF or RF.
Arenado is the key, but I think he’ll be gone.
The only offensive player they might add will be an outfielder, but he won’t cost much. Probably less than what Nootbaar makes.

[HorseTrader]

I know this is a bit out of the box and might be borderline insane. But, what if next year's outfield was: Herrera in LF, JJ Wetherholt in CF, and Alec Burleson in RF? I believe the offensive output from these 3 could be near the top of the league. Now, I know this calls for putting 1 known not good outfielder in RF, and 2 completely unknowns in LF and CF, but I'd give it a whirl. JJ can play CF if he can play SS, 2b and 3b. Edman did it, Saggesse's done it. Heck, Kolten Wong did it.

That leaves you with Contreras at 1b, Donnie at 2b, Winn at SS, Arenado at 3rd, Crooks/Pages behind the dish, Saggesse and Church as IF/OF bench players and then go spend money on a big time bat that can play both 3rd base and DH.

Thoughts?

Some guys can move from the infield (especially SS and 2B) to the OF with no problem. Some just can't, for whatever reason they just can not get the angles right on the fly balls and line drives. JJ, Ivan and Burly would be worth a try in spring training but as the full time OF next year....... might be IFFY.

I look for Noot and Arenado to be gone. Walker really needs a year in AAA or a new team. I think you will see alot of Donovan, Scott, Burly, Church and a free agent veteran (not Tucker type, more like a Bader or less).

That puts JJ at 2b, Winn at SS, Gorman at 3rd and Willie at 1st. Ivan catching, DH and some OF/1B

Really the true answer is LF Why, CF Because, RF how the heck do I know

[Cusecards]

What's wrong with playing Donovan in the outfield,since we have plenty of infielders? Donny doesn't look to bad out there,does he?

Then who plays 3B (not a fan of him there) or 2B? Does he SLG enough to play corner OF or 3B?

I don’t get this, he doesn’t slug enough to play 3rd base. Just how many slugging 3rd basemen are there in MLB? If Wetherholt plays 2nd base and hits over 20 homers, and Donovan plays 3rd base hits 12-15, what difference offensively does it make which one plays where? You play them where they fit best Defensively.
They are going to try Herrera at catcher again, and if he doesn’t he’ll mostly DH again. Burleson will play 1stbase if Contreras is dealt otherwise he’ll be in LF or RF.
Arenado is the key, but I think he’ll be gone.
The only offensive player they might add will be an outfielder, but he won’t cost much. Probably less than what Nootbaar makes.

Agree 100%
Find everyday players who are plus hitters and plus defenders.
Donovan and JJ can both hit and play quality defense.
And if they only hit 35 HR’s between them so what????
We’ve been jacking around waiting for Gorman’s power for years.
How has that worked out.
Sounds like they also messed with Walker’s swing to hit for more power and how has that worked out?
Before that it was TO.
Give me RISP bats and 15/20 HR’s is perfectly fine!!

[Ozziesfan41]

What's wrong with playing Donovan in the outfield,since we have plenty of infielders? Donny doesn't look to bad out there,does he?

Then who plays 3B (not a fan of him there) or 2B? Does he SLG enough to play corner OF or 3B?

I don’t get this, he doesn’t slug enough to play 3rd base. Just how many slugging 3rd basemen are there in MLB? If Wetherholt plays 2nd base and hits over 20 homers, and Donovan plays 3rd base hits 12-15, what difference offensively does it make which one plays where? You play them where they fit best Defensively.
They are going to try Herrera at catcher again, and if he doesn’t he’ll mostly DH again. Burleson will play 1stbase if Contreras is dealt otherwise he’ll be in LF or RF.
Arenado is the key, but I think he’ll be gone.
The only offensive player they might add will be an outfielder, but he won’t cost much. Probably less than what Nootbaar makes.

Agree 100%
Find everyday players who are plus hitters and plus defenders.
Donovan and JJ can both hit and play quality defense.
And if they only hit 35 HR’s between them so what????
We’ve been jacking around waiting for Gorman’s power for years.
How has that worked out.
Sounds like they also messed with Walker’s swing to hit for more power and how has that worked out?
Before that it was TO.
Give me RISP bats and 15/20 HR’s is perfectly fine!!

And he would replace arenado who isn’t a slugging third baseman either or a good hitter

[Bomber1]

Burleson - LF
Scott/Church - CF
Nootbaar - RF

God I hope not.

Nootbaar needs to be moved, he’s a knucklehead who is starting to get paid.

4 years of him is 2 years too long.