Burleson might be OK as a #3 hitter for the next few seasons

[Shady]

I'd put Burleson at 5 or 6 in the order. With no roster changes, I'd go:

Wetherholt
Donovan
Herrera
Contreras
Burleson
Winn
Nootbaar
Pages/Crooks
Scott/Church

Not sure on Herrera at #2 or #3. He seems to whiff a lot against really good RHP breaking balls. He might be OK at #3 vs LHP. Herrera is the #5 in this lineup vs RHP. Burly at #3 vs RHP until they get a true upgrade at #3. Hopefully, Herrera can be the catcher. Opening up another position for a really productive hitter. They really need an upgrade over Nootbaar. Get a corner outfielder with more slug.

[riff raff]

IF Burleson was a 2B or SS who played solid defense, then he'd be a guy you build around.

Burly
18 HR
69 RBI's
.294 .346 .464 .810

Look at his stats comped to:

T. Turner
15 HR
69 RBI
.305 .356 .458 .814

B. Turang
18 HR
77 RBI
.284 .355 .432 .787

But he's not

His bat profiles like a high end SS/2B and not as a 1B/DH/OF.

Now tell us what positions Nootbaar's, Arenado's, Gorman's and Walker's stats profile like. None are anywhere close to Burleson's production.

Rocko still thinks Burly is a platoon player

[JuanAgosto]

I'd put Burleson at 5 or 6 in the order. With no roster changes, I'd go:

Wetherholt
Donovan
Herrera
Contreras
Burleson
Winn
Nootbaar
Pages/Crooks
Scott/Church

Not sure on Herrera at #2 or #3. He seems to whiff a lot against really good RHP breaking balls. He might be OK at #3 vs LHP. Herrera is the #5 in this lineup vs RHP. Burly at #3 vs RHP until they get a true upgrade at #3. Hopefully, Herrera can be the catcher. Opening up another position for a really productive hitter. They really need an upgrade over Nootbaar. Get a corner outfielder with more slug.

DeWitt isn't paying for that in 2026.

[Shady]

IF Burleson was a 2B or SS who played solid defense, then he'd be a guy you build around.

Burly
18 HR
69 RBI's
.294 .346 .464 .810

Look at his stats comped to:

T. Turner
15 HR
69 RBI
.305 .356 .458 .814

B. Turang
18 HR
77 RBI
.284 .355 .432 .787

But he's not

His bat profiles like a high end SS/2B and not as a 1B/DH/OF.

Not sure if they can "build around" Burleson. They just need to find a couple more good hitters like him. Maybe one with a little more power than Burly. By the way, Burleson has become a decent hitter vs LHP. But it wouldn't hurt for him to bat #6 against a LHP with an outstanding breaking ball.