What IF Walker Hits.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Good morning.

Let’s say we do not trade Donovan or Nado. We have a GG caliber infield. Willy will hit, Donovan will hit, Winn will get better, think between Ozzie and Edgar, and Nado will be a .250 spray hitter, 10 hr and 50 rbi from third. That’s the infield.

From a defensive perspective that’s as good an impact nfield as any in baseball. Offensively middle of the pack, say 15 ish.

Scott. Superb fielder. Just think. if he hits .250. Would be the equivalent of doubles city. He can only get better. All eyes are on bloom and Walker, don’t over look a maturing Scott.

Left- new player. If Donovan is traded, I’d think a young stud left fielder would be as valuable as a stud Ace. Combined defensively with Scott stout shut down 75 percent of the outfield.

Walker. Here we go. When he hits, we should see 20 plus homeruns, and 80 ish rbi. This is not MVP numbers, or even AS numbers, but for STL it’s huge. Why. Money.

If Walker hits, we save big money in FA or trade to acquire both a left fielder and right fielder. Having the potential of Walker, his cheapness, wrapped up in house leaves other moneys for the Ace.

Walker is key and essential to a strong rebuild. In both performance and other player moves. Simply because he’s so cheap. You gotta reap this.

So let’s summarize. Superb infield. Best n baseball. Good outfield in CF. Black holes. Left and right. With Walker in house.

I say we go as Walker goes.

[mattmitchl44]

If Walker and Gorman could get back on track to actually becoming the players the Cardinals at one point thought they would be, it would make a tremendous difference in the immediate future of the team.

If you ask me "how far behind where they need to be in having young, cost controlled players on the ML roster to really compete are they?" I would say the "deficit" would be just about exactly:

1) Walker having not developed into the ~4+ fWAR player you could have easily hoped he would be by this time
2) Gorman having not developed into the ~2-3 fWAR player you could have easily hoped he would be by this time, and
3) To a lesser extent Liberatore having not developed into the ~3 fWAR, borderline #2/#3 SP you could have easily hoped he would be by this time

If those three things were true instead of Walker having been a -1.2 fWAR last year, Gorman having been a -0.2 fWAR last year, and Liberatore being a 1.8 fWAR SP last year, we would be having much, much less of a discussion about any "rebuild."

That about 8, 9, 10 fWAR in young, cost controlled talent is just "missing" and is about what they need to make up with Wetherholt, Doyle, etc.

[sikeston bulldog2]

If Walker and Gorman could get back on track to actually becoming the players the Cardinals at one point thought they would be, it would make a tremendous difference in the immediate future of the team.

If you ask me "how far behind where they need to be in having young, cost controlled players on the ML roster to really compete are they?" I would say the "deficit" would be just about exactly:

1) Walker having not developed into the ~4+ fWAR player you could have easily hoped he would be by this time
2) Gorman having not developed into the ~2-3 fWAR player you could have easily hoped he would be by this time, and
3) To a lesser extent Liberatore having not developed into the ~3 fWAR, borderline #2/#3 SP you could have easily hoped he would be by this time

If those three things were true instead of Walker having been a -1.2 fWAR last year, Gorman having been a -0.2 fWAR last year, and Liberatore being a 1.8 fWAR SP last year.

That about 8, 9, 10 fWAR in young, cost controlled talent that is just "missing" and that is about what they need to make up with Wetherholt, Doyle, etc.

Superb post and thank you. So if everyone else hits near norms, one major addition a young left fielder, and Walker and Gorman hit near projections, we would not only satisfy the 4 war positions, we would do it dirt cheap, with mucho money left for stud pitching.

If they were to hit.

[mattmitchl44]

If Walker and Gorman could get back on track to actually becoming the players the Cardinals at one point thought they would be, it would make a tremendous difference in the immediate future of the team.

If you ask me "how far behind where they need to be in having young, cost controlled players on the ML roster to really compete are they?" I would say the "deficit" would be just about exactly:

1) Walker having not developed into the ~4+ fWAR player you could have easily hoped he would be by this time
2) Gorman having not developed into the ~2-3 fWAR player you could have easily hoped he would be by this time, and
3) To a lesser extent Liberatore having not developed into the ~3 fWAR, borderline #2/#3 SP you could have easily hoped he would be by this time

If those three things were true instead of Walker having been a -1.2 fWAR last year, Gorman having been a -0.2 fWAR last year, and Liberatore being a 1.8 fWAR SP last year.

That about 8, 9, 10 fWAR in young, cost controlled talent that is just "missing" and that is about what they need to make up with Wetherholt, Doyle, etc.

Superb post and thank you. So if everyone else hits near norms, one major addition a young left fielder, and Walker and Gorman hit near projections, we would not only satisfy the 4 war positions, we would do it dirt cheap, with mucho money left for stud pitching.

If they were to hit.

And I don't want it to sound like we should be excessively blaming just them - Dylan Carlson could have been part of the solution, Nootbaar being better (and healthier) could have been part of the solution, Tink Hence staying healthy and developing could have been part of the solution, Quinn Mathews and Cooper Hjerpe could have been part of the solution, etc.

There have been a lot of other "misses" or "misses to date" that haven't helped either.

[sikeston bulldog2]

If Walker and Gorman could get back on track to actually becoming the players the Cardinals at one point thought they would be, it would make a tremendous difference in the immediate future of the team.

If you ask me "how far behind where they need to be in having young, cost controlled players on the ML roster to really compete are they?" I would say the "deficit" would be just about exactly:

1) Walker having not developed into the ~4+ fWAR player you could have easily hoped he would be by this time
2) Gorman having not developed into the ~2-3 fWAR player you could have easily hoped he would be by this time, and
3) To a lesser extent Liberatore having not developed into the ~3 fWAR, borderline #2/#3 SP you could have easily hoped he would be by this time

If those three things were true instead of Walker having been a -1.2 fWAR last year, Gorman having been a -0.2 fWAR last year, and Liberatore being a 1.8 fWAR SP last year.

That about 8, 9, 10 fWAR in young, cost controlled talent that is just "missing" and that is about what they need to make up with Wetherholt, Doyle, etc.

Superb post and thank you. So if everyone else hits near norms, one major addition a young left fielder, and Walker and Gorman hit near projections, we would not only satisfy the 4 war positions, we would do it dirt cheap, with mucho money left for stud pitching.

If they were to hit.

And I don't want it to sound like we should be excessively blaming just them - Dylan Carlson could have been part of the solution, Nootbaar being better (and healthier) could have been part of the solution, Tink Hence staying healthy and developing could have been part of the solution, Quinn Mathews and Cooper Hjerpe could have been part of the solution, etc.

There have been a lot of other "misses" or "misses to date" that haven't helped either.

As you have well pointed out, it takes a basket full of prospects to get one or two right. So far, we have mucho misses. By the law of averages we are due a few hits.

[scoutyjones2]

Good morning.

Let’s say we do not trade Donovan or Nado. We have a GG caliber infield. Willy will hit, Donovan will hit, Winn will get better, think between Ozzie and Edgar, and Nado will be a .250 spray hitter, 10 hr and 50 rbi from third. That’s the infield.

From a defensive perspective that’s as good an impact nfield as any in baseball. Offensively middle of the pack, say 15 ish.

Scott. Superb fielder. Just think. if he hits .250. Would be the equivalent of doubles city. He can only get better. All eyes are on bloom and Walker, don’t over look a maturing Scott.

Left- new player. If Donovan is traded, I’d think a young stud left fielder would be as valuable as a stud Ace. Combined defensively with Scott stout shut down 75 percent of the outfield.

Walker. Here we go. When he hits, we should see 20 plus homeruns, and 80 ish rbi. This is not MVP numbers, or even AS numbers, but for STL it’s huge. Why. Money.

If Walker hits, we save big money in FA or trade to acquire both a left fielder and right fielder. Having the potential of Walker, his cheapness, wrapped up in house leaves other moneys for the Ace.

Walker is key and essential to a strong rebuild. In both performance and other player moves. Simply because he’s so cheap. You gotta reap this.

So let’s summarize. Superb infield. Best n baseball. Good outfield in CF. Black holes. Left and right. With Walker in house.

I say we go as Walker goes.

What if monkeys fly out of my butt?

[mattmitchl44]

Good morning.

Let’s say we do not trade Donovan or Nado. We have a GG caliber infield. Willy will hit, Donovan will hit, Winn will get better, think between Ozzie and Edgar, and Nado will be a .250 spray hitter, 10 hr and 50 rbi from third. That’s the infield.

From a defensive perspective that’s as good an impact nfield as any in baseball. Offensively middle of the pack, say 15 ish.

Scott. Superb fielder. Just think. if he hits .250. Would be the equivalent of doubles city. He can only get better. All eyes are on bloom and Walker, don’t over look a maturing Scott.

Left- new player. If Donovan is traded, I’d think a young stud left fielder would be as valuable as a stud Ace. Combined defensively with Scott stout shut down 75 percent of the outfield.

Walker. Here we go. When he hits, we should see 20 plus homeruns, and 80 ish rbi. This is not MVP numbers, or even AS numbers, but for STL it’s huge. Why. Money.

If Walker hits, we save big money in FA or trade to acquire both a left fielder and right fielder. Having the potential of Walker, his cheapness, wrapped up in house leaves other moneys for the Ace.

Walker is key and essential to a strong rebuild. In both performance and other player moves. Simply because he’s so cheap. You gotta reap this.

So let’s summarize. Superb infield. Best n baseball. Good outfield in CF. Black holes. Left and right. With Walker in house.

I say we go as Walker goes.

What if monkeys fly out of my butt?

Then you'll probably feel better than if they had stayed in your butt.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Good morning.

Let’s say we do not trade Donovan or Nado. We have a GG caliber infield. Willy will hit, Donovan will hit, Winn will get better, think between Ozzie and Edgar, and Nado will be a .250 spray hitter, 10 hr and 50 rbi from third. That’s the infield.

From a defensive perspective that’s as good an impact nfield as any in baseball. Offensively middle of the pack, say 15 ish.

Scott. Superb fielder. Just think. if he hits .250. Would be the equivalent of doubles city. He can only get better. All eyes are on bloom and Walker, don’t over look a maturing Scott.

Left- new player. If Donovan is traded, I’d think a young stud left fielder would be as valuable as a stud Ace. Combined defensively with Scott stout shut down 75 percent of the outfield.

Walker. Here we go. When he hits, we should see 20 plus homeruns, and 80 ish rbi. This is not MVP numbers, or even AS numbers, but for STL it’s huge. Why. Money.

If Walker hits, we save big money in FA or trade to acquire both a left fielder and right fielder. Having the potential of Walker, his cheapness, wrapped up in house leaves other moneys for the Ace.

Walker is key and essential to a strong rebuild. In both performance and other player moves. Simply because he’s so cheap. You gotta reap this.

So let’s summarize. Superb infield. Best n baseball. Good outfield in CF. Black holes. Left and right. With Walker in house.

I say we go as Walker goes.

What if monkeys fly out of my butt?

It would be something to see.

I know your level of displeasure about Walker. But that’s not the question. What if he lived up to potential, where does that put the team in the rebuild.

And if he hits, we save huge moneys.

Just a question.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Good morning.

Let’s say we do not trade Donovan or Nado. We have a GG caliber infield. Willy will hit, Donovan will hit, Winn will get better, think between Ozzie and Edgar, and Nado will be a .250 spray hitter, 10 hr and 50 rbi from third. That’s the infield.

From a defensive perspective that’s as good an impact nfield as any in baseball. Offensively middle of the pack, say 15 ish.

Scott. Superb fielder. Just think. if he hits .250. Would be the equivalent of doubles city. He can only get better. All eyes are on bloom and Walker, don’t over look a maturing Scott.

Left- new player. If Donovan is traded, I’d think a young stud left fielder would be as valuable as a stud Ace. Combined defensively with Scott stout shut down 75 percent of the outfield.

Walker. Here we go. When he hits, we should see 20 plus homeruns, and 80 ish rbi. This is not MVP numbers, or even AS numbers, but for STL it’s huge. Why. Money.

If Walker hits, we save big money in FA or trade to acquire both a left fielder and right fielder. Having the potential of Walker, his cheapness, wrapped up in house leaves other moneys for the Ace.

Walker is key and essential to a strong rebuild. In both performance and other player moves. Simply because he’s so cheap. You gotta reap this.

So let’s summarize. Superb infield. Best n baseball. Good outfield in CF. Black holes. Left and right. With Walker in house.

I say we go as Walker goes.

What if monkeys fly out of my butt?

Then you'll probably feel better than if they had stayed in your butt.

I was crudely gonna add, then you’d feel like me early each morning. Free.

[rockondlouie]

I say "Go Walker" too BDog..................to MEMPHIS!

He needs a full season (or at least a half a season) under C. Bloom & Company's player development system at AAA.

From what I understand he's in Florida and working hard, that's a good sign.

[bccardsfan]

If we go as Walker goes, then we may all be moving to Memphis:)

[sikeston bulldog2]

I say "Go Walker" too BDog..................to MEMPHIS!

He needs a full season (or at least a half a season) under C. Bloom & Company's player development system at AAA.

From what I understand he's in Florida and working hard, that's a good sign.

I hear ya. But answer this. If he hits at the ML level like his projections or potential dictates, and they add a left fielder, an already stud infield, does it move the needle.

I say yes, and the dominoes affect is more money to Ace up. Him hitting cheaply is godsend to this rebuild.

[sikeston bulldog2]

If we go as Walker goes, then we may all be moving to Memphis:)

Be sure to stop at Lamberts on the way down. Home of the Throwed Roll. Ha.

[11WSChamps]

You might as well say what if I win the Power Ball.

[scoutyjones2]

Good morning.

Let’s say we do not trade Donovan or Nado. We have a GG caliber infield. Willy will hit, Donovan will hit, Winn will get better, think between Ozzie and Edgar, and Nado will be a .250 spray hitter, 10 hr and 50 rbi from third. That’s the infield.

From a defensive perspective that’s as good an impact nfield as any in baseball. Offensively middle of the pack, say 15 ish.

Scott. Superb fielder. Just think. if he hits .250. Would be the equivalent of doubles city. He can only get better. All eyes are on bloom and Walker, don’t over look a maturing Scott.

Left- new player. If Donovan is traded, I’d think a young stud left fielder would be as valuable as a stud Ace. Combined defensively with Scott stout shut down 75 percent of the outfield.

Walker. Here we go. When he hits, we should see 20 plus homeruns, and 80 ish rbi. This is not MVP numbers, or even AS numbers, but for STL it’s huge. Why. Money.

If Walker hits, we save big money in FA or trade to acquire both a left fielder and right fielder. Having the potential of Walker, his cheapness, wrapped up in house leaves other moneys for the Ace.

Walker is key and essential to a strong rebuild. In both performance and other player moves. Simply because he’s so cheap. You gotta reap this.

So let’s summarize. Superb infield. Best n baseball. Good outfield in CF. Black holes. Left and right. With Walker in house.

I say we go as Walker goes.

What if monkeys fly out of my butt?

It would be something to see.

I know your level of displeasure about Walker. But that’s not the question. What if he lived up to potential, where does that put the team in the rebuild.

And if he hits, we save huge moneys.

Just a question.

I hope he hits. Him and the KKKorn

[rockondlouie]

I say "Go Walker" too BDog..................to MEMPHIS!

He needs a full season (or at least a half a season) under C. Bloom & Company's player development system at AAA.

From what I understand he's in Florida and working hard, that's a good sign.

I hear ya. But answer this. If he hits at the ML level like his projections or potential dictates, and they add a left fielder, an already stud infield, does it move the needle.

I say yes, and the dominoes affect is more money to Ace up. Him hitting cheaply is godsend to this rebuild.

IF Walker (and Gorman) can somehow be saved by Bloom etal (we know Oli and his gang can't since they've failed), then the "re-build" would be exponentially accelerated!

That would entail Walker hitting 20 HR's/.750+ OPS and Gorman 30 HR's/.800+ OPS.

3rd Base/Left Field would be solved for years at a very low payroll cost.

Adding JJW, if he does what most think he will do, and you've got the makings of a solid lineup before making any player position moves.

Add a starting pitcher via the Donovan trade + sign a few veteran arms for the pen'.

Toss in Libby taking a step forward to being a #2 and the 2026 team would be cooking.

Of course, JJW aside, this is a lot of wish casting.

I'm a huge Bloom fan but to expect this from him and his player development system is truly unfair.

Walker is totally lost, Gorman not far behind and Libby may never be more than a low end #3.

But it's the offseason so why not?