Next Year's Cardinal Outfield

[PadsFS07]

I hope we find a taker for Nado and just plant Gorman at 3rd base for 140-145 games. Legitimately give him one season of full runway at one position. If we did that and stuck to it, we'd: A.) Finally have given him a true, fair shake. No excuses after next year. B.) From a production standpoint, I predict we'd see a large drop-off on D from Nado to him, a strikeout rate of 40%, maybe a .225 average, but probably 40 home runs and 85-100 RBI

To your point, let's say they do this. What is the worst that can happen?

1. "Gorman horrible on 3B defense!" The team will stop playing him there.
2. "Gorman not good at the plate!" The team will stop giving him ABs.

Gorman's 2026 might turn into Carlson's 2024. Oh well. If Arenado is traded, he is blocking no one on the roster...

For me, I don’t see Gorman as part of the future. He can get 400 PAs as a utility guy backing up all the infield spots with Wetherholt covering Winn at SS.

[rockondlouie]

Best OF would be:

-Burleson & Hererra/LF
-VSII/CF
-Noot/RF

VSII can help out Burly/Hererra by venturing even further into LCF using his superior speed.

[Cranny]

Best OF would be:

-Burleson & Hererra/LF
-VSII/CF
-Noot/RF

VSII can help out Burly/Hererra by venturing even further into LCF using his superior speed.

Hope they add a veteran like Starling Marte to the mix.

[rockondlouie]

Best OF would be:

-Burleson & Hererra/LF
-VSII/CF
-Noot/RF

VSII can help out Burly/Hererra by venturing even further into LCF using his superior speed.

Hope they add a veteran like Starling Marte to the mix.

IF they deal Noot, then I'm all for adding an OF'er on a short term deal BUT it has to be one who can hit!

No more .600+ OPS OF'ers, we've seen enough of them for too many years.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

OK I didn't read all the replies. IMO JJ will not step foot in the OF. He is probably they best hitting prospect they have had in a while and I see no way they screw that up changing his defensive position now.

My guess is "the plan" is:

Contreras-JJ-Winn-Donovan infield (swap JJ and Donovan as you please) Saggese utility. And or Fermin.

Pray you can cobble something with Walker-Noot-Scott-Herrera-Burlson in the OF. Need 3 of them to show that can both field and hit. Might need to augment this with a FA that can.

Catching has lots of prospects and guys already here. Whichever one can field adequately and hit a bit plays.

Pitching needs massive help. Don't even know where to start as there isn't anyone that looks like a jolt coming up.

Since I don't expect STL to contend again next year I would love to see a solid trade for a high end prospect in the OF. Perhaps even Donovan will return such a prospect and then Saggese moves into a role.

[kscardsfan]

Outfield has been the biggest problem since 2013. Filling an outfield with three prospects has not been working. Victor will be in Center for a longer trial. Sign or trade for a top tier and a 2nd tier of'er and then one prospect like Vic won't hurt you. Burleson is not the type you want out there. He covers more ground on his lunch plate. He's a good hitter that's it. Packaged with say Gray you could maybe get that productive player needed.

[Cusecards]

OK I didn't read all the replies. IMO JJ will not step foot in the OF. He is probably they best hitting prospect they have had in a while and I see no way they screw that up changing his defensive position now.

My guess is "the plan" is:

Contreras-JJ-Winn-Donovan infield (swap JJ and Donovan as you please) Saggese utility. And or Fermin.

Pray you can cobble something with Walker-Noot-Scott-Herrera-Burlson in the OF. Need 3 of them to show that can both field and hit. Might need to augment this with a FA that can.

Catching has lots of prospects and guys already here. Whichever one can field adequately and hit a bit plays.

Pitching needs massive help. Don't even know where to start as there isn't anyone that looks like a jolt coming up.

Since I don't expect STL to contend again next year I would love to see a solid trade for a high end prospect in the OF. Perhaps even Donovan will return such a prospect and then Saggese moves into a role.

I think your plan is solid.
A very general breakdown:
Catching- Lots of possibilities so this may take a year or so to work itself out? I’m still not buying Herrera long term there. His bat is too valuable(OF/DH) and there are three very good prospects who will be emerging over the next two years. Pozo probably gets edged out although I like his bat!
Infield- I agree on Contreras(1B), JJ(2B), Winn(SS), and Donovan(3B) being the best scenario. This assumes Arenado is dealt. They may give Gorman one more year(3B) which moves Donovan to LF.
Saggese provides a solid backup and don’t laugh but I like Fermin.
Outfield- This is a mish mosh. Scott(CF) can defend and run but offense is shaky. Noot can defend but is an annoying tease at the plate. Burleson and Herrera can hit but can they give you enough defense flanking Scott??
Walker yikes! Donovan would be very good all around in LF but might have to play 3B???
I have my fingers crossed on Josh Baez.

[redbirdfan51]

Not only will Bloom acquire more young pitching starter and bullpen, but I think he would like to add a power hitting OF. Since Gorman and Walker's value is pretty low, I think both stick to create more competition on the IF and OF. I could also see one or both added to trades to sweeten the trade. Gray and Nado will be gone and possibly Contreras. I hope Donovan stays though he probably is the Cards best trade material.

[renostl]

Best OF would be:

-Burleson & Hererra/LF
-VSII/CF
-Noot/RF

VSII can help out Burly/Hererra by venturing even further into LCF using his superior speed.

Hope they add a veteran like Starling Marte to the mix.

I think unless there's an attempt from
ownership to renew excitement around the Cardinals there will be no free agents for a couple of reasons.
Old doesn't fit the team direction. Players that might provide impact don't go to rebuilds unless overpaid.

Trades or it comes from within for the outfield.

[renostl]

OK I didn't read all the replies. IMO JJ will not step foot in the OF. He is probably they best hitting prospect they have had in a while and I see no way they screw that up changing his defensive position now.

My guess is "the plan" is:

Contreras-JJ-Winn-Donovan infield (swap JJ and Donovan as you please) Saggese utility. And or Fermin.

Pray you can cobble something with Walker-Noot-Scott-Herrera-Burlson in the OF. Need 3 of them to show that can both field and hit. Might need to augment this with a FA that can.

Catching has lots of prospects and guys already here. Whichever one can field adequately and hit a bit plays.

Pitching needs massive help. Don't even know where to start as there isn't anyone that looks like a jolt coming up.

Since I don't expect STL to contend again next year I would love to see a solid trade for a high end prospect in the OF. Perhaps even Donovan will return such a prospect and then Saggese moves into a role.

I think your plan is solid.
A very general breakdown:
Catching- Lots of possibilities so this may take a year or so to work itself out? I’m still not buying Herrera long term there. His bat is too valuable(OF/DH) and there are three very good prospects who will be emerging over the next two years. Pozo probably gets edged out although I like his bat!
Infield- I agree on Contreras(1B), JJ(2B), Winn(SS), and Donovan(3B) being the best scenario. This assumes Arenado is dealt. They may give Gorman one more year(3B) which moves Donovan to LF.
Saggese provides a solid backup and don’t laugh but I like Fermin.
Outfield- This is a mish mosh. Scott(CF) can defend and run but offense is shaky. Noot can defend but is an annoying tease at the plate. Burleson and Herrera can hit but can they give you enough defense flanking Scott??
Walker yikes! Donovan would be very good all around in LF but might have to play 3B???
I have my fingers crossed on Josh Baez.

Baez is in the mix of young, controlled, plays both sides of the ball and has upside.
That , IMO, will be the common theme of the players kept on the roster. Predicting trades and the ownership goals of 2026 and 2027 is guess work.

[Cusecards]

OK I didn't read all the replies. IMO JJ will not step foot in the OF. He is probably they best hitting prospect they have had in a while and I see no way they screw that up changing his defensive position now.

My guess is "the plan" is:

Contreras-JJ-Winn-Donovan infield (swap JJ and Donovan as you please) Saggese utility. And or Fermin.

Pray you can cobble something with Walker-Noot-Scott-Herrera-Burlson in the OF. Need 3 of them to show that can both field and hit. Might need to augment this with a FA that can.

Catching has lots of prospects and guys already here. Whichever one can field adequately and hit a bit plays.

Pitching needs massive help. Don't even know where to start as there isn't anyone that looks like a jolt coming up.

Since I don't expect STL to contend again next year I would love to see a solid trade for a high end prospect in the OF. Perhaps even Donovan will return such a prospect and then Saggese moves into a role.

I think your plan is solid.
A very general breakdown:
Catching- Lots of possibilities so this may take a year or so to work itself out? I’m still not buying Herrera long term there. His bat is too valuable(OF/DH) and there are three very good prospects who will be emerging over the next two years. Pozo probably gets edged out although I like his bat!
Infield- I agree on Contreras(1B), JJ(2B), Winn(SS), and Donovan(3B) being the best scenario. This assumes Arenado is dealt. They may give Gorman one more year(3B) which moves Donovan to LF.
Saggese provides a solid backup and don’t laugh but I like Fermin.
Outfield- This is a mish mosh. Scott(CF) can defend and run but offense is shaky. Noot can defend but is an annoying tease at the plate. Burleson and Herrera can hit but can they give you enough defense flanking Scott??
Walker yikes! Donovan would be very good all around in LF but might have to play 3B???
I have my fingers crossed on Josh Baez.

Baez is in the mix of young, controlled, plays both sides of the ball and has upside.
That , IMO, will be the common theme of the players kept on the roster. Predicting trades and the ownership goals of 2026 and 2027 is guess work.

Agree
Building from within will have to take precedence.
There is no way I can predict what the budget will be.
I know some fans will complain if they don’t spend but I would not spend just for the appearance of spending.

[rockondlouie]

For those penciling in Walker as a starter in your 2026 OF, just stop.

He's NOT going to be there, he'll be enjoying some Memphis BBQ because he's starting at AAA where he belongs.

[Cranny]

For those penciling in Walker as a starter in your 2026 OF, just stop.

He's NOT going to be there, he'll be enjoying some Memphis BBQ because he's starting at AAA where he belongs.

Dubious. Depends on the off season workouts and additional coaching.

[icon]

I don't know what the OF will look like, but it had better not include Walker or Noot. Walker to AAA and Noot to the moon or Japan or somewhere far away.

[12xu]

Best OF would be:

-Burleson & Hererra/LF
-VSII/CF
-Noot/RF

VSII can help out Burly/Hererra by venturing even further into LCF using his superior speed.

Hope they add a veteran like Starling Marte to the mix.

Marte is soon to be 37 and is a convicted juicer. Don't want him. Go for a younger FA outfielder such as 30 year old Miguel Andujar - playing well with the Reds. Maybe Luis Robert - FA if the Chisox decline his option - only 28 years old, sign to a one year deal to prove himself healthy and trade him at the deadline if he is raking.

[11WSChamps]

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?

The only "borderline insane" folks here are the ones who had their head up their (donkey) the last several years willfully ignoring this team's sink into the abyss.

Here's a novel approach how about the ballclub actually signing or trading for a pair of OFers who can actually hit and play the position.