2026 opening day lineup

[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.

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.

Disagree on that one Juan.

IF they keep both Gray & WillyC and if C. Bloom makes some smart trades like he did in Boston, then I can see them in the mid 80's.

But that lineup and SR above does look like a 90 loss team.

[Melville]

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

Nope.
Being kind, patient, and gracious to a fault, I advise that you actually read the thread.
In doing so, you will find a brilliant and insightful analysis specific to your question.
But I am also helpful to the extreme - so allow me to save you the extra effort:
"The question was regarding ONE SPECIFIC GAME.
Not every game.
Two quick observations.
One, I was first and best to correctly analyze and advise that Herrera be repurposed as a corner outfielder.
That has never changed.
Two, between DH/1B/LF/RF/2B/3B there are plenty of ways for Donovan, Gorman, Wetherholt, Contreras, Herrera, Burleson, AND an Acquisition to be in the lineup - and have one of them as a bench each day."
I trust that is helpful in furthering your education - which is always my intention and act of service.

[billybaseball]

For those discussing Masyn Winn. I'm not saying he won't get runway but he has to hit better. He didn’t get on base or slug. If he got on base and stole some bases but didn't have power that is still an outstanding starter as a GG defender. We're never gonna be a superstar lineup team so we can't have glove only players in our lineup. Same goes for Victor Scott. And it's not a matter of who replaces them internally either. It's do we have a position locked up for the future.

[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.

Disagree on that one Juan.

IF they keep both Gray & WillyC and if C. Bloom makes some smart trades like he did in Boston, then I can see them in the mid 80's.

But that lineup and SR above does look like a 90 loss team.

Its unreal how John Mozeliak and Bill DeWitt let this get so bad. From being a perennial playoff team to hoping for .500. Arrogance and laziness.

[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.

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.

Disagree on that one Juan.

IF they keep both Gray & WillyC and if C. Bloom makes some smart trades like he did in Boston, then I can see them in the mid 80's.

But that lineup and SR above does look like a 90 loss team.

Its unreal how John Mozeliak and Bill DeWitt let this get so bad. From being a perennial playoff team to hoping for .500. Arrogance and laziness.

Insane

It's like they learned nothing from Cardinals history when Whitey once said "They killed the Golden Goose" referring to AB III/A-B who totally neglected the team (and AB III HATED the Cardinals) after years of winning and drawing 3+M.

Arrogance and Lazy is spot on Juan.

[mattmitchl44]

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.

Disagree on that one Juan.

IF they keep both Gray & WillyC and if C. Bloom makes some smart trades like he did in Boston, then I can see them in the mid 80's.

But that lineup and SR above does look like a 90 loss team.

Its unreal how John Mozeliak and Bill DeWitt let this get so bad. From being a perennial playoff team to hoping for .500. Arrogance and laziness.

Their biggest mistake may have been not understanding that they should have shifted to going all in on rebuilding in 2023. That was perhaps their opportunity to have traded Goldschmidt, Arenado, etc. at the trading deadline for some prospect value that would have them further along in rebuilding this team than they are now.

Hopefully they learn from that and try to get value from Gray, Contreras, Arenado, Donovan, etc. now to hasten the rebuild in 2026 and beyond.

[skeezix]

2026 is the heralded "Battle For The Basement" with the Buccos. That will pack 'em into Baseball Heaven! Can't wait!

[butsir01]

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.

Thanks,Rock. Gotta agree with you. Walker could destroy minor league attendance all by himself.
We’l. See, I guess, how fast Bloom gets out of the gate. He’s already spit the bit on canning Olives.

[butsir01]

2026 is the heralded "Battle For The Basement" with the Buccos. That will pack 'em into Baseball Heaven! Can't wait!

This ownership is beginning to make Haslam look competent.

[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.

Disagree on that one Juan.

IF they keep both Gray & WillyC and if C. Bloom makes some smart trades like he did in Boston, then I can see them in the mid 80's.

But that lineup and SR above does look like a 90 loss team.

Its unreal how John Mozeliak and Bill DeWitt let this get so bad. From being a perennial playoff team to hoping for .500. Arrogance and laziness.

Their biggest mistake may have been not understanding that they should have shifted to going all in on rebuilding in 2023. That was perhaps their opportunity to have traded Goldschmidt, Arenado, etc. at the trading deadline for some prospect value that would have them further along in rebuilding this team than they are now.

Hopefully they learn from that and try to get value from Gray, Contreras, Arenado, Donovan, etc. now to hasten the rebuild in 2026 and beyond.

Mo being his usual do-nothing self.

[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.

Thanks,Rock. Gotta agree with you. Walker could destroy minor league attendance all by himself.
We’l. See, I guess, how fast Bloom gets out of the gate. He’s already spit the bit on canning Olives.

Welcome buddy

The good news (IMO) is C. Bloom will NOT go into the 2026 season w/that lineup!

I look for some major roster makeover via DFA's, guys sent to Memphis (hello J. Walker?), trades and maybe even a small FA signing or two.

Even better news, Mo won't be making the calls anymore!

[HorseTrader]

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

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Pedro Pages
!B- Alec Burleson
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Donovan
CF- Victor Scott
DH Ivan Herrara

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
Veteran pitcher, several options Means, Littel, Merrill Kelly, and others

I wouldn't be surprised to see them resign Matz for the bullpen and an occassional start. Nor would I be surprised if they resigned Maton and/or, Helsley these would all be one year with maybe an option.

Last but not least I look for them to sign a veteran outfielder someone like Yastremski who hits righties and can play any outfield spot. No you don't want him in cf for 30 days but for a couple he'd be ok. If they trade Donovan, a veteran will be even more important. Again there are several who will be available at a fairly low cost.

[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

SS- Masyn Winn
C- Pedro Pages
!B- Alec Burleson
2B-JJ Wetherholt
RF- Jordan Walker
3B-Nolan Gorman
LF-Donovan
CF- Victor Scott
DH Ivan Herrara

Michael McGreevy
Matthew Liberatore
Andre Pallante
Kyle Leahy
Veteran pitcher, several options Means, Littel, Merrill Kelly, and others

I wouldn't be surprised to see them resign Matz for the bullpen and an occassional start. Nor would I be surprised if they resigned Maton and/or, Helsley these would all be one year with maybe an option.

Last but not least I look for them to sign a veteran outfielder someone like Yastremski who hits righties and can play any outfield spot. No you don't want him in cf for 30 days but for a couple he'd be ok. If they trade Donovan, a veteran will be even more important. Again there are several who will be available at a fairly low cost.

Usually when a team becomes motivated to put the band
back together for another run at it, it is because they had a run.
All in fun, we all use known names for this exercise.

IMO too many fundamental flaws in the rosters for longer
than a single season for a new GM to want to continue with the same vision.
I understand trades are nearly impossible to predict but the below average glove guys
and speed guys should be looked at.

I'd think JJ should replace one of
those first before replacing a productive player. 3B or outfielder, possibly more dramatic.