102 players have more HR than Burly and Hererra

[Absolut]

Walker and Gorman will each be 30/100 in 2026.

[hugeCardfan]

IH needs to find a defensive position. He does not have enough pop to justify full time DH.

That's an opinion not shared by all.

[imadangman]

IH needs to find a defensive position. He does not have enough pop to justify full time DH.

That's an opinion not shared by all.

+1 and a couple years ago we had a faction here (can't remember who) arguing that we needed to respect the DH position and go out and sign a full-time DH who can provide that type of offense. Sure looks like we might have that guy in house.

[Jatalk]

IH needs to find a defensive position. He does not have enough pop to justify full time DH.

That's an opinion not shared by all.

+1 and a couple years ago we had a faction here (can't remember who) arguing that we needed to respect the DH position and go out and sign a full-time DH who can provide that type of offense. Sure looks like we might have that guy in house.

I don’t really support a full time DH. We have a couple of players who can fill that roll depending on the game. But we don’t have anyone that has the bat to justify that full time roll. In those cases to hold a roster spot they need to be able to play a defensive position. Not gold glove caliber but at least adequate.

[imadangman]

IH needs to find a defensive position. He does not have enough pop to justify full time DH.

That's an opinion not shared by all.

+1 and a couple years ago we had a faction here (can't remember who) arguing that we needed to respect the DH position and go out and sign a full-time DH who can provide that type of offense. Sure looks like we might have that guy in house.

I don’t really support a full time DH. We have a couple of players who can fill that roll depending on the game. But we don’t have anyone that has the bat to justify that full time roll. In those cases to hold a roster spot they need to be able to play a defensive position. Not gold glove caliber but at least adequate.

I agree, and my plan would be to have Burleson be part of the DH as well. Herrera and Burleson can both play 1B/LF as well.

I disagree with the idea that Herrera doesnt have the power. It is still to be determined to some degree. But he also brings a certain type of hit tool and on base percentage to the equation. He is a 120-130 wRC+ hitter as is.

I keep pointing to Yandy Diaz who is primarily a 1B/DH (on a winning team) who has more of a batting average + on base percentage profile to his game with medium power, maybe similar to Herrera. The only difference is Yandy was a late bloomer. Herrera just turned 25. So don't close the book on him but there is an example of a 1B/DH on a winning team that does not fit the traditional power hitter profile.

[smilinjoefission]

And Nootbaar ain't one of them. I'd rather move on from Nootbaar than worry about two of the best hitters on the Cards team this season.

[Melville]

Certainly they are servicable bats in the lineup...if we can find a spot for them on the field. But we still should have at least 1 if not 2+ hitters in that next 30/100 tier. They aren't that.

Whatever we think they are, its rose colored because we aren't used to the level of power the rest of MLB has right now.

96 have more PA's than Burleson.
140 have more PA's than Herrera.
But you are correct - neither are 30 HR hitters.
STL does have one if he were given a full season of PA's.....

[riff raff]

Certainly they are servicable bats in the lineup...if we can find a spot for them on the field. But we still should have at least 1 if not 2+ hitters in that next 30/100 tier. They aren't that.

Whatever we think they are, its rose colored because we aren't used to the level of power the rest of MLB has right now.

96 have more PA's than Burleson.
140 have more PA's than Herrera.
But you are correct - neither are 30 HR hitters.
STL does have one if he were given a full season of PA's.....

Your Gorman blow up doll needs some air.

[Hoosier59]

The OP also didn’t mention how many of those players have higher batting averages than Burly, and Herrera.
It astounding how many people on here what to trade or keep bashing our three best hitters. ( Donovan, Burly, and Herrera)
Some people you just can’t please.
Those three players aren’t the problem, it’s the surrounding cast! Remove those three, even to improve the team somewhere else, you’ve weakened the team and just like under MO’s leadership, just spinning your wheels!

[Ozziesfan41]

Certainly they are servicable bats in the lineup...if we can find a spot for them on the field. But we still should have at least 1 if not 2+ hitters in that next 30/100 tier. They aren't that.

Whatever we think they are, its rose colored because we aren't used to the level of power the rest of MLB has right now.

96 have more PA's than Burleson.
140 have more PA's than Herrera.
But you are correct - neither are 30 HR hitters.
STL does have one if he were given a full season of PA's.....

Your Gorman blow up doll needs some air.

lol

[BrummerStealsHome]

Burly is 4th in the NL in hitting. He isn't the problem with our offense.

[Cusecards]

The OP also didn’t mention how many of those players have higher batting averages than Burly, and Herrera.
It astounding how many people on here what to trade or keep bashing our three best hitters. ( Donovan, Burly, and Herrera)
Some people you just can’t please.
Those three players aren’t the problem, it’s the surrounding cast! Remove those three, even to improve the team somewhere else, you’ve weakened the team and just like under MO’s leadership, just spinning your wheels!

+1,000
Yeah....Herrera is the problem! LOL
Look, It clearly is in the best interest of the team to find him a regular position in the field.
Will they look at him Catching again next season?
Possibly. I don’t see how it would hurt considering the status of the team? If he can handle it his bat would certainly be a huge asset there.
Obviously we’ll find out next season what happens but if forced to make a bet now I would wager against him Catching.
But that is more about the multiple high ranking prospects they have at that position.
As for this lack of power nonsense, give me a break!
If you asked me right now...”Hey how would you feel about Gorman and Walker putting up Herrera numbers in 2026”??
My answer....SIGN ME UP!!!!!!

[Jatalk]

IH needs to find a defensive position. He does not have enough pop to justify full time DH.

That's an opinion not shared by all.

+1 and a couple years ago we had a faction here (can't remember who) arguing that we needed to respect the DH position and go out and sign a full-time DH who can provide that type of offense. Sure looks like we might have that guy in house.

I don’t really support a full time DH. We have a couple of players who can fill that roll depending on the game. But we don’t have anyone that has the bat to justify that full time roll. In those cases to hold a roster spot they need to be able to play a defensive position. Not gold glove caliber but at least adequate.

I agree, and my plan would be to have Burleson be part of the DH as well. Herrera and Burleson can both play 1B/LF as well.

I disagree with the idea that Herrera doesnt have the power. It is still to be determined to some degree. But he also brings a certain type of hit tool and on base percentage to the equation. He is a 120-130 wRC+ hitter as is.

I keep pointing to Yandy Diaz who is primarily a 1B/DH (on a winning team) who has more of a batting average + on base percentage profile to his game with medium power, maybe similar to Herrera. The only difference is Yandy was a late bloomer. Herrera just turned 25. So don't close the book on him but there is an example of a 1B/DH on a winning team that does not fit the traditional power hitter profile.

Good points. I agree about Burleson and adequate defense although I prefer him at first. Herrera defense is still question for me. I have not been watching many games lately but they seem to have given up on him in left. Plus seem to be going back to catcher in spring??

[rockondlouie]

I wouldn't lump Hererra w/Burleson when it comes to HR power Carp, no comparison HR power wise.

From Bernie:

— Since returning from a lower-back injury in late August of last season, Herrera has made 504 plate appearances over that time.

— Among the 182 MLB hitters that have at least 500 plate appearances since August 26 of last season, Herrera’s wRC+ is 46 percent above the league average offensively.

— And in that group of 182 hitters, only six have outperformed Herrera in overall offense since late last season. The seven are: Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Cal Raleigh, Juan Soto, George Springer and Kyle Schwarber.

— Herrera’s 146 wRC+ since last August 26 is superior to an extensive list of hitters that includes Kyle Tucker, Fernando Tatis Jr., Vlad Guerrero Jr., Bryce Harper, Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor, Bobby Witt Jr., Rafael Devers, Matt Olson, Ketel Marte, Manny Machado, Will Smith, Yandy Diaz, Junior Caminero, Jackson Chourio, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Jazz Chisholm, Julio Rodriguez, Bo Bichette, Byron Buxton, Eugenio Suarez, Trea Turner, Matt Chapman, Josh Naylor, Brent Rooker, Kyle Stowers, Christian Yelich, James Wood, Gunnar Henderson and Spencer Torkelson.

Whew.

— Since Aug. 26 of last season, Herrera has batted .295 with a .386 on-base rate, .485 slugging percentage and an .871 OPS. Oh, and he’s struck out in only 18.3 percent of his plate appearances … while walking in 10 percent of his plate appearances.

— This month, through Tuesday, Herrera has 8 home runs in 73 at-bats. His teammates have 6 home runs in 590 at-bats. On average, Herrera has homered every 8.1 bats this month. His teammates, on average, have homered every 98.3 at bats. That’s nuts. But it's true.

— Entering Wednesday, Herrera is tied with Shohei Ohtani and Cal Raleigh for most home runs (8) in September

Thanks Rockville You sound like Smellville when he pumped UniKKKorn

Nah, not even close and that's BERNIE doing the pumping.

Amazing how guys are knocking Herrera. The Cards have been trying to develop internally an 850OPS+ 25HR+ bat since Pujols left in 2011. They finally did that in Herrera after 14 years and now some people are OK trading him because he isn't that good? Gee, you have to build a team player by player. Herrera is a player. Nice analysis Rock, thank you...

Thx ICC

If you're a true Cardinals fan, then how can you not like what we've seen from Hererra?

And you're right, Hererra & JJW are going to be the players C. Bloom builds this team around along w/M. Winn.

[butsir01]

Those 102 have an unfair advantage, they get to face our pitching.

[Carp4Cy]

The OP also didn’t mention how many of those players have higher batting averages than Burly, and Herrera.
It astounding how many people on here what to trade or keep bashing our three best hitters. ( Donovan, Burly, and Herrera)
Some people you just can’t please.
Those three players aren’t the problem, it’s the surrounding cast! Remove those three, even to improve the team somewhere else, you’ve weakened the team and just like under MO’s leadership, just spinning your wheels!

Did you even read my post???

I want those two in the lineup. Just don't pretend like they are the 30/100+ RBI bat we ALSO (ALSO ALSO don't miss that I said ALSO ) need.

It can be both, not either or. And the fact that so many players actually have hit more HRs and have stayed on the field without getting hurt indicates that "power hitters" maybe do grow on trees relatively speaking. 30-35 players will finish with 30+ HRs. At least there's enough to go around to the teams that try - and we need to be one of those teams, given the rest of the lineup we just watched all year.