2026 opening day lineup

[Hooking]

STL sports fans will be spending their money on the more exciting young team that will be playing just down the road in April 2026.

[JuanAgosto]

Here's what I think happens.

1. Donovan dealt for a SP or higher prospect.
2. Arenado is dealt for a mid prospect.
3. Nootbaar and Gray are shopped.
4. Walker and Gorman will start in the minors.

Lineup Opening Day could be:

Winn - SS.
Wetherholt - 2b
Herrera - DH
Burleson - RF
Contreras - 1b
Saggese -3b
Fermin - LF
Pages/Crooks - C
Scott - CF

Rotation:
Gray
Liberatore
McGreevy
???
Leahy/Mathews

[JuanAgosto]

Or you keep Nootbaar. That changes things.

Nootbaar
Herrera
Burleson
Contreras
Winn
Wetherholt
Saggese
Pages/Crooks
Scott

[cardstatman]

Sadly there are only 4 above average MLB hitters on the current MLB roster (Herrera, Donovan, Contreras, Burleson).
I hope Wetherholt can make it 5.
Nootbar, Winn, and Arenado are only slightly below.
Scott has a nice glove.

Starting Lineup (2024-2025 MLB stats (except Wetherholt))
.306 .421 .510 .931 2B Wetherholt (AA/AAA 2025 numbers)
.290 .373 .451 .823 C Herrera --- Pages vs LHP
.282 .347 .419 .766 LF Donovan
.259 .358 .455 .813 1B Contreras
.279 .328 .439 .766 DH Burleson --- Herrera vs LHP
.257 .310 .387 .697 3B Arenado
.238 .332 .384 .716 RF Nootbar
.206 .283 .293 .576 CF Scott
.261 .312 .391 .704 SS Winn

Other MLB possibilities (2024-25 MLB stats)
.204 .284 .385 .669 Gorman --- trade him
.233 .275 .368 .643 Pages --- MLB backup C or traded
.231 .262 .375 .637 Pozo --- trade him
.250 .292 .336 .628 Saggese --- AAA depth
.214 .304 .298 .602 Fermin --- MLB bench
.211 .270 .324 .595 Walker --- AAA depth
.229 .287 .283 .569 Siani --- release

Other miLB possibilities (2025 stats)
.328 .441 .464 .905 Torres (AAA 2025 numbers) - MLB bench; high OBP?
.296 .418 .471 .890 Fermin (AAA/MLB 2025 numbers) - MLB bench; mentioned above; high OBP?
.308 .368 .486 .854 Church (AA/AAA/MLB 2025 numbers) --- MLB bench; late inning defense in RF; also allows us to PH for Scott
.298 .361 .448 .810 Prieto (AAA/MLB 2025 numbers)
.260 .319 .421 .740 Crooks (AAA/MLB 2025 numbers) --- AAA depth or MLB backup C if Pages is traded or traded
.280 .340 .380 .720 Saggese (MLB/AAA 2025 numbers) --- AAA depth; mentioned above

Pluses: No more Burleson, Walker, Gorman pretending to play defense!

[cardstatman]

PItching Staff
SP --- This is a real problem and will be the reason the team will not win, again
Gray
Pallante
Liberatore
McGreevy
Mathews

RP
Leahy
Svanson
Romero
King - trade
O'Brien
Granillo
Alcala
Graceffo
Fernandez
Munoz
Roycroft
Raquet
Veneziano

[Clubmaker2]

so many threads and posts on the proper arrangement of the Titanic's deck chairs....Hopefully the Rooney thread of something like 5 or more different faces on the roster is true..

[Adam2]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

Yea gave them a runway and sucked now you give them another runway? lol dumb of bloom already starting out. Gorman has had close to 1600 at bats to show how much he sucks now they’re saying let’s give him an even 2000 to see him suck some more. lol just awful management

I literally said they don't get runway this year. If they don't perform they'll be gone. But Herrera, Burleson and Wetherholt are the only young position players who are currently rebuild players imo. Everyone else will have to earn playing time.

Winn has to earn playing time?

I agree, Winn has to earn nothing with the talent on this roster. that's his spot

[rockondlouie]

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Ivan Herrara
DH- Alec Burleson
1B-Wilson Contreras
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Nathan Church
CF- Victor Scott

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
John Means

2b Wetherholt
LF Donovan
RF Acquisition
1B Contreras
DH Burleson or Herrera based on pitcher
3B Gorman
SS Winn
C Pages
CF Scott

They absolutely canno start those stiffs again next year, hoping the light finally comes on , can they? Rocco , whaddya tink? I would not attend a game on a bet.

That's one terrible looking lineup, even worse SP staff.

Minimal power, no speed outside of VSII & JJW, too many low OB%/slg%/OPS hitters and a starting staff of P.U.

Walker & Church belong at Memphis, Pallante in the pen' unless he's DFA'd.

That team loses 90 games.

[mattmitchl44]

C - Crooks or Pages (whichever isn't traded)
1B - Burleson
2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
3B - Gorman
LF - Nootbaar
CF - Scott
RF - Walker
DH - Herrera

[Clubmaker2]

If the starting lineup has Walker, Gorman, Church, and Scott, that offense will suck. And nobody will be going to games or watching on TV after June.

I don't understand why anyone would expect anything different. They made it pretty clear that next year will be a rebuild year.

But should you really be trying to rebuild around players that suck a rebuild is usually around young good players not young players that suck

We're not rebuilding around them. Their runway was last season.This season it's perform or you'll be replaced. But the Cardinals won't be going out and spending money. If they spend anything it will be bringing in pitchers to hopefully flip at the deadline. But no one will stay in the lineup if they aren't performing aside from Wetherholt.

Yea gave them a runway and sucked now you give them another runway? lol dumb of bloom already starting out. Gorman has had close to 1600 at bats to show how much he sucks now they’re saying let’s give him an even 2000 to see him suck some more. lol just awful management

I literally said they don't get runway this year. If they don't perform they'll be gone. But Herrera, Burleson and Wetherholt are the only young position players who are currently rebuild players imo. Everyone else will have to earn playing time.

Winn has to earn playing time?

I agree, Winn has to earn nothing with the talent on this roster. that's his spot

If you are not an all around average total mlb player, your spot should not be guaranteed. Granted, even after maybe several player off season movements, you may not see a likely better candidate, but below average performers should always have to earn a position. If JJ is the deal and can play shortstop well and donovan can play 2b, both become/are average or better players, why is Winn starting? Because Donny has no future in STL? What is a miracle occurs and the Unicorn hits, he could play 2b. Just because you dont easily see the likely replacement, doesnt mean Winn should not have to earn the position by working hard and being the best option. No hard work, bench him, at least even for some period for lesser talented replacement. We dont need the second coming of Walker. He wont improve to where he needs to be without it.

[TheFantasyStud]

C) Herrera / Crooks
1B) Contreras
2B) Wetherholt
SS) Winn
3B) Gorman / Donavan
LF) Donavan
CF) Scott
RF) Walker
DH) Burleson / Gorman

Bench
Crooks, Saggase, RH hitting outfielder, Fermin

SP) Skubal
SP) Gray
SP) Liberatore
SP) McGreevy
SP) Leahy / Matthew’s / Pallante

Trade Nootbaar, Arenado and Pages

This team would look so much different with Skubal at the top of the pitching staff. If Walker and Scott don’t improve trade for outfield help in June/July

[renostl]

so many threads and posts on the proper arrangement of the Titanic's deck chairs....Hopefully the Rooney thread of something like 5 or more different faces on the roster is true..

Team speed along with redundancies should both be looked at.
A low SLG team with also low speed = low runs.

Pitchers without high SO's need gloves with range behind them.

At least 1 of Burleson or Donovan should be moved. Both can be rationalized.
At least 1 DH/1B should be moved of AB/NG/IH/WC
They probably should choose a horse to ride between Gorman and Walker.
Technically they don't have to, but both on the roster or both in AAA seems like
nothing that they seen with their eyes mattered much. If both
go to MiLB we will see them get more runway unless they're seeing something that I haven't.

JJ could actually replace either as could any of the kept infielder or outfielder.
I'm not seriously opposed to seeing him at 3B/2B or outfield just settle on a spot for 2026.

Arenado and Contreras, NA needs to go for all parties. Willy is all about what happens above.

IMO Pallante has strength and endurance on his side. Control and a better go to
pitch are not a strength. Missed plays kill him. IF that's not found whether he is a SP or RP he will struggle in MLB.

[cardinalsfan27]

Means would be a solid signing. Hopefully he’s good then trade him at the deadline.

That rotation is rough. Interesting to see Donny and Noot traded.

[cardinalsfan27]

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Ivan Herrara
DH- Alec Burleson
1B-Wilson Contreras
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Nathan Church
CF- Victor Scott

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
John Means

2b Wetherholt
LF Donovan
RF Acquisition
1B Contreras
DH Burleson or Herrera based on pitcher
3B Gorman
SS Winn
C Pages
CF Scott

So you think Herrera is still here but only platoons? Good lord lol

[JuanAgosto]

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Ivan Herrara
DH- Alec Burleson
1B-Wilson Contreras
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Nathan Church
CF- Victor Scott

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
John Means

2b Wetherholt
LF Donovan
RF Acquisition
1B Contreras
DH Burleson or Herrera based on pitcher
3B Gorman
SS Winn
C Pages
CF Scott

They absolutely canno start those stiffs again next year, hoping the light finally comes on , can they? Rocco , whaddya tink? I would not attend a game on a bet.

That's one terrible looking lineup, even worse SP staff.

Minimal power, no speed outside of VSII & JJW, too many low OB%/slg%/OPS hitters and a starting staff of P.U.

Walker & Church belong at Memphis, Pallante in the pen' unless he's DFA'd.

That team loses 90 games.

If DeWitt keeps his wallet closed as expected, 90 wins is almost assured. Even with Gray and Contreras. Some of the lineups predictions on here (including my own), may lose 100.

[renostl]

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Ivan Herrara
DH- Alec Burleson
1B-Wilson Contreras
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Nathan Church
CF- Victor Scott

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
John Means

2b Wetherholt
LF Donovan
RF Acquisition
1B Contreras
DH Burleson or Herrera based on pitcher
3B Gorman
SS Winn
C Pages
CF Scott

They absolutely canno start those stiffs again next year, hoping the light finally comes on , can they? Rocco , whaddya tink? I would not attend a game on a bet.

That's one terrible looking lineup, even worse SP staff.

Minimal power, no speed outside of VSII & JJW, too many low OB%/slg%/OPS hitters and a starting staff of P.U.

Walker & Church belong at Memphis, Pallante in the pen' unless he's DFA'd.

That team loses 90 games.

If DeWitt keeps his wallet closed as expected, 90 wins is almost assured. Even with Gray and Contreras. Some of the lineups predictions on here (including my own), may lose 100.

Most are so similar to 2025 with the exception of JJ that similar results should occur.
JJ replacing any of Arenado, Gorman or Walker should be, according to what I've read here, and upgrade.
Replacing Miles. Fedde, and Pallante with used kleenex should likewise be an upgrade. Probably a .500 team