Still think door not completely closed on Contreras playing elsewhere in 2026

[C-Unit]

2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
DH Gorman
RF Walker
3B Saggese
C Crooks Pages Pozo
CF Scott II

That lineup, if nothing is added, is weak. Saggese can’t be counted on as the everyday 3B. He hasn’t shown us anything yet to think he could give us daily production.

The outfield still needs help and hopefully Scott can cover tons of ground. I believe the infield will be fine but if we add anything, we need an everyday RH outfield bat.

CF Wetherholt
3B Donovan
2B Bichette
DH Schwarber
1B Contreras
C Herrera
RF Tucker
LF Burleson
SS Winn

Unsure when Joshua Baez will be brought to the majors but the Cardinals do have a kid in their pipeline that fits exactlly what you are seeking ..an everyday RH outfield bat. Baez has a scout rating of 60 for power (60 is PLUS power ). So he has the power and thus far has shown a better ability to launch the ball higher than what Walker has shown. Baez also has speed and can steal you bases too. He had a breakout year last year and could reach the 'show' sooner than expected . Baseball America says he has potential to be an above average everyday player in the big leagues . Hoping they are spot on in their evaluation.
Would think he gets an invite to spring training to get a taste of that . Hoping to see him get in a few games there.

I am guessing that they will be reluctant to promote Baez from Memphis to St Louis next season. Maybe he forces the issue, and they do. The anti-Walker promotion plan. If Walker doesn't do well in spring training, Memphis could have an outfield of Joshua Baez, Chase Davis, and Jordan Walker. (Sounds more formidible than Koperniak, Siani, and Antico)

I like the idea of having Baez's service time start later. I know service time isn't the ultimate name of the game. But having him align closer to Rainiel Rodriguez's time etc. would be neat, and in Baez's case the only choice I'm making is to let him develop on-time and not call him up prematurely. No manipulation there. He's a guy with power and speed yes but also a strikeout tendency and I feel there would be limited reward for trying to rush him up.

Out of the players currently on the team that we want to be building blocks, I'd try to get some long-term deals in place so we aren't worried about their service time. I've been mentioning this. I think it would be very proactive to try and get Winn and Wetherholt both to sign 7-8 year deals with some options at the end. That way those guys start to settle in as the franchise faces/veterans by the time the rest of the cast is arriving. Herrera might be nice to extend as well, provided that we expect his bat to continue to play (regardless of his defensive position).

[rockondlouie]

I could be wrong but I've always thought, unless it's to a team he's always wanted to play for, that WillyC stays.

Personally I hope he does stay.

JMO

[kyace]

As said it depends upon him but as more vets head out the door he may want to also. Boston needs right hand bats and has an opening at first. Wilson would be a good fit if they don’t bring back Bregman and sign Alonso. Yankees also need a rh bat to play first and maybe do some catching. Where the two Japanese players go also would have an effect on his market.

[Bomber1]

2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
DH Gorman
RF Walker
3B Saggese
C Crooks Pages Pozo
CF Scott II

Unless Walker and Gorman improve immensely this lineup stinks.
Also need Scott II to take a big step forward.

I realize nobody expects them to compete this year, but still.

[Bomber1]

2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
DH Gorman
RF Walker
3B Saggese
C Crooks Pages Pozo
CF Scott II

That lineup, if nothing is added, is weak. Saggese can’t be counted on as the everyday 3B. He hasn’t shown us anything yet to think he could give us daily production.

The outfield still needs help and hopefully Scott can cover tons of ground. I believe the infield will be fine but if we add anything, we need an everyday RH outfield bat.

Saggese has 324 ML at-bats. I think it’s as likely that he can at least be a placeholder than Gorman can be an everyday 3B.

Agree that regardless of above the lineup is bad.

[RunSup]

I have mentioned a couple of times before that I think it’s 60/40 that he is traded. I believe there is a market for him and his remaining contract isn’t that difficult to swallow. Some of his value may be whether he would consider returning to at least catching on a part time basis for the team who would want him.

I could see him staying but that would require someone else definitely having to be traded. Contreras playing 1B takes a spot that could be played by others (Burleson, Herrera, Gorman). The picture will clear up as the winter moves on. Is Arenado traded? Is Donovan traded? How about Burleson, Gorman, Nootbaar? As things stand today the current lineup would look something like
C Crooks/Herrera/Pages
1B Contreras
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Donovan
LF Nootbaar
CF Scott
RF Burleson
DH Gorman
This assumes Arenado is moved but plenty of questions with Donovan/Nootbaar/Gorman and Burleson.

Most of us are watching and waiting to see what Blooms vision is for this team. One more trade like with Gray, bringing back a couple of high end pitching prospects would be great and start to define what the lineup will look like. Many think Donovan is the move but maybe Contreras is the moveable piece. Heck, maybe both. Moving Gray, Arenado, Donovan AND Contreras would clear all onerous contracts and open up payroll.

Good effort to try and sort it out. Some more opinions.

1. Burleson's in RF is a failed experiment. Trotting him out there is insane only the most stubborn of managers would continue to do or because of really bad roster construction by the new POBO.

2. Surely Donovan will get traded. There is wide interest in him and Bloom has shown refreshing aggressiveness.

3. That should open 3B for Gorman who absolutely has to step forward offensively and defensively. Really is the last chance.

4. Ditto for Walker who will get every opportunity one more time in RF

5. It's best for the future development of the team for Contreras to be traded. His contract is fair for his value. Good RH bat with good D at 1B.

I'll still say the Brewers are a fit if they add instead of cutting payroll. Everybody will get over trading in the division

6. That opens 1B for Burleson whom they want to keep. Though I would trade high.

7. Herrera is destined for LF/DH/1B. There are 4 other catchers at MLB and on doorstep who are better defensively. Herrera's bat will play if he has a position. He is a good athlete and can handle LF.

8. Nootbar stays until he has 2 good feet underneath him again. His trade value is low.

9. They will pay to trade Arenado. The roster spot should be cleared. If not, Gorman is definitely just a DH.

10. They definitely should add another SP just to get through 2026. Though the real goal is FoTR pitchers for 2028.

The 2026 staff right now: Libby, McGreevy, Pallante?, Leahy?, Fitts?, Mathews?, ... Buckle up for the ride. At least it's not Mikolas and Fedde.

Winter meetings coming soon. All eyes on Bloom and the front office.

[Whatashame]

Agree with a lot of this. I think it’s likely Contreras is moved because he is playing a position (1B) that should probably go to Burleson or open something up for Herrera.

I think Herrera will be given every opportunity to show his off season catching work has made a difference. I agree the Cardinals have to find a spot for him somewhere, I’m just not sure the outfield is the spot. We have catchers coming and if he doesn’t play in the outfield, 1B may be his spot. This is all fluid and moves this winter should help define where Herrera plays.

It sure seems like Donovan is going to be moved. If that’s the case a 3B platoon of Gorman and Saggese seems inevitable not knowing about the return on any of the traded players. Going into 2026 with both Walker and Gorman in our everyday lineup like suggested puts a lot of pressure on them to be a heck of a lot more productive than they have been.

If Gray, Arenado, Donovan and Contreras are all moved I don’t see how a bat or two aren’t added somewhere. Taking Donovan and Contreras out of the equation sure seems like a couple of huge holes to fill without much in the minors available to provide immediate help. This winter will provide a lot of answers to some immediate questions.