12xu wrote: ↑05 Nov 2025 07:12 am
Positioning: 2nd base is often involved in more plays due to its central location on the diamond.
Double Plays: 2nd basemen frequently participate in double plays, increasing their action.
Baserunning: More runners tend to advance to 2nd base, leading to more interactions.
Defensive Plays: 3rd base sees significant action during bunts and ground balls, but less than 2nd.
Stealing Bases: 2nd base is a common target for stolen bases, adding to its activity.
Fielding Opportunities: 2nd basemen handle a higher volume of ground balls compared to 3rd basemen.
Overall, 2nd base generally sees more action than 3rd base in MLB games
I think all of that is true, and makes this a tough question to answer.
I still think that 3B is more important because of the greater disparity between the worst fielders and the best. Third Base creates a bigger gap than Second Base in defensive value compared to a low-end player at the same position.
An elite 2Bman doesn't make a big of a difference compared to a lower end one. Whereas an elite 3Bman can be massively better than the average/below average 3Bman.
It can be either.
Or, as is currently true for STL, it can be both.
Again, as I have reminded everyone for many years, a lineup is much, much more than the sum of its individual parts.
Each player, each position provides something different based on each team's needs at a given time.
Therefore, what is "most critical" is constantly changing and always unique to the circumstances.
Given the CURRENT roster construction, there is no doubt Wetherholt at 2b and Gorman at 3b are by far the two positions anywhere on the field most critical to the Cardinals' 2026 success.
It has been many years since they have had what is needed at the top, so they need Wetherholt to be a very effective leadoff hitter playing 2b.
They were 29th in HR in 2025 and outside of Groman they have no power threat at all from the left side, so they need him to hit 25+ HR playing 3b.
woofy25 wrote: ↑05 Nov 2025 07:06 am
It’s clearly second base. They’re involved in way more action. Up the middle defense is emphasized more than the corners and that includes 2nd base.
Minus short stop. Minus first. That leaves second or third. Now to JJ and Donovan. Both will play these two positions.
Which position needs the better fielder based on amount of play at the respective position and type of play needed.
That’s it. Put the better fielder in the position of greatest need.
Donovan will be traded.
I agree with you , Ecleme, that Donovan will be traded . As for JJ, my take is that not only does he replaces Donovan at 2nd base but I would leave him there full time . Period I am not one to juggle guys from year to year in different positions. The more you play the same position the better you get at it. Let Winn/ Wetherholt become an elite defensive double play combo thru repetitions of playing together .
11WSChamps wrote: ↑05 Nov 2025 10:29 am
If the three lefties Liberatore, Mathews, and Doyle are indeed the future of the starting rotation you're going to need a good 3rd baseman.
Great point- lots of inside pitching to righties leads to many pulled balls down the line, also as pitches go away from a lefty, many slaps or opposite field attempts.
