Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Welcome to STLtoday.com's forum for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Cards Talk Moderators

Shady
Forum User
Posts: 6965
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by Shady »

Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
dugoutrex
Forum User
Posts: 1016
Joined: 24 Jun 2025 13:18 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by dugoutrex »

Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
hurdy gurdy is as good as gone - I'd be OK with it though
Shady
Forum User
Posts: 6965
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by Shady »

dugoutrex wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:05 pm
Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
hurdy gurdy is as good as gone - I'd be OK with it though
Wonder if Bloom could get enough return for Contreras, Gorman and Nootbaar to keep Donovan? That being picking up another serviceable starting pitcher, a reliever and an outfielder that could help. I'd like to see Saggese add outfield to his utility regimen.
Last edited by Shady on 29 Nov 2025 13:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.
scoutyjones2
Forum User
Posts: 8593
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:43 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by scoutyjones2 »

Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
Shut up Bobo
renostl
Forum User
Posts: 2995
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:40 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by renostl »

Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:13 pm
dugoutrex wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:05 pm
Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
hurdy gurdy is as good as gone - I'd be OK with it though
Wonder if Bloom could get enough return for Contreras, Gorman and Nootbaar to keep Donovan? That being picking up another serviceable starting pitcher, a reliever and an outfielder that could help.
They can easily keep Donovan if they choose to.
IF that was the 4 I'd put the better arm between JJ and BD on 3B.
craviduce
Forum User
Posts: 24137
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:11 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by craviduce »

scoutyjones2 wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:15 pm
Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
Shut up Bobo
Is this Bobo the Bear?

Bobo the Bunny?

Or the Spanish "Bobo"?
MIDMOBIRDTWO
Forum User
Posts: 4348
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:24 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by MIDMOBIRDTWO »

craviduce wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:35 pm
scoutyjones2 wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:15 pm
Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
Shut up Bobo
Is this Bobo the Bear?

Bobo the Bunny?

Or the Spanish "Bobo"?
Just another Bad Bunny.
rockondlouie
Forum User
Posts: 13134
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:41 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by rockondlouie »

Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
JJW/2B
WillyC/1B

That's likely our OD infield.

Even if Donny's here (unlikely), in this re-build season C. Bloom is going to give N. Gorman every opportunity at 3rd base once NADO is dealt.

Donny, if he's still here (unlikely) would slide into the OF.

If J. Walker starts at Memphis as he should unless he just tears up STing, then Donny would be joined by VSII, Burleson and eventually Noot in the OF.

I. Hererra could be behind the plate (YIKES!....along w/P. Pages or J. Crooks whichever remains after trades are completed) as well as share DH duties w/Burleson unless Bumbles is spelling WillyC at 1st Base in which case Willy could DH as well.
Shady
Forum User
Posts: 6965
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by Shady »

rockondlouie wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:44 pm Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
JJW/2B
WillyC/1B

That's likely our OD infield.

Even if Donny's here (unlikely), in this re-build season C. Bloom is going to give N. Gorman every opportunity at 3rd base once NADO is dealt.

Donny, if he's still here (unlikely) would slide into the OF.

If J. Walker starts at Memphis as he should unless he just tears up STing, then Donny would be joined by VSII, Burleson and eventually Noot in the OF.

I. Hererra could be behind the plate (YIKES!....along w/P. Pages or J. Crooks whichever remains after trades are completed) as well as share DH duties w/Burleson unless Bumbles is spelling WillyC at 1st Base in which case Willy could DH as well.
Don't see anything encouraging there over last season other than adding Wetherholt. With the Donovan, Winn, Wetherholt and Burleson infield. I would hope to add, somehow, an outfielder with some punch to the offense.
rockondlouie
Forum User
Posts: 13134
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:41 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by rockondlouie »

Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 14:17 pm
rockondlouie wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:44 pm Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
JJW/2B
WillyC/1B

That's likely our OD infield.

Even if Donny's here (unlikely), in this re-build season C. Bloom is going to give N. Gorman every opportunity at 3rd base once NADO is dealt.

Donny, if he's still here (unlikely) would slide into the OF.

If J. Walker starts at Memphis as he should unless he just tears up STing, then Donny would be joined by VSII, Burleson and eventually Noot in the OF.

I. Hererra could be behind the plate (YIKES!....along w/P. Pages or J. Crooks whichever remains after trades are completed) as well as share DH duties w/Burleson unless Bumbles is spelling WillyC at 1st Base in which case Willy could DH as well.
Don't see anything encouraging there over last season other than adding Wetherholt. With the Donovan, Winn, Wetherholt and Burleson infield. I would hope to add, somehow, an outfielder with some punch to the offense.
Re-build season, no real money will be spent.

Would be nice to add an OF'er, hopefully Bloom can find one on the cheap that pays off.
renostl
Forum User
Posts: 2995
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:40 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by renostl »

Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 14:17 pm
rockondlouie wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:44 pm Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
JJW/2B
WillyC/1B

That's likely our OD infield.

Even if Donny's here (unlikely), in this re-build season C. Bloom is going to give N. Gorman every opportunity at 3rd base once NADO is dealt.

Donny, if he's still here (unlikely) would slide into the OF.

If J. Walker starts at Memphis as he should unless he just tears up STing, then Donny would be joined by VSII, Burleson and eventually Noot in the OF.

I. Hererra could be behind the plate (YIKES!....along w/P. Pages or J. Crooks whichever remains after trades are completed) as well as share DH duties w/Burleson unless Bumbles is spelling WillyC at 1st Base in which case Willy could DH as well.
Don't see anything encouraging there over last season other than adding Wetherholt. With the Donovan, Winn, Wetherholt and Burleson infield. I would hope to add, somehow, an outfielder with some punch to the offense.
There will be a few moving parts. At least one maybe 2 of the LHB will go.
Gorman, Noot among Burleson and Donovan, jmo only 1 of those last 2 should
be dealt this off season.

Let's say you get your preference and the Cards keep AB and BD the 2 more productive player.
AB would still get OF time probably a lot of it. Herrera if unable to C, might be a fit at 1B.
C-Unit
Forum User
Posts: 212
Joined: 27 Sep 2025 01:05 am

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by C-Unit »

Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:13 pm
dugoutrex wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:05 pm
Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
hurdy gurdy is as good as gone - I'd be OK with it though
Wonder if Bloom could get enough return for Contreras, Gorman and Nootbaar to keep Donovan? That being picking up another serviceable starting pitcher, a reliever and an outfielder that could help. I'd like to see Saggese add outfield to his utility regimen.
I don't really see the point in keeping Donovan. He's going to easily command a bigger return than any of our other chips. He's only 2 years of control remaining, so if they wanted to make him a part of the next competitive window they would need to extend him yesterday.
C-Unit
Forum User
Posts: 212
Joined: 27 Sep 2025 01:05 am

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by C-Unit »

renostl wrote: 29 Nov 2025 14:57 pm
Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 14:17 pm
rockondlouie wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:44 pm Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
JJW/2B
WillyC/1B

That's likely our OD infield.

Even if Donny's here (unlikely), in this re-build season C. Bloom is going to give N. Gorman every opportunity at 3rd base once NADO is dealt.

Donny, if he's still here (unlikely) would slide into the OF.

If J. Walker starts at Memphis as he should unless he just tears up STing, then Donny would be joined by VSII, Burleson and eventually Noot in the OF.

I. Hererra could be behind the plate (YIKES!....along w/P. Pages or J. Crooks whichever remains after trades are completed) as well as share DH duties w/Burleson unless Bumbles is spelling WillyC at 1st Base in which case Willy could DH as well.
Don't see anything encouraging there over last season other than adding Wetherholt. With the Donovan, Winn, Wetherholt and Burleson infield. I would hope to add, somehow, an outfielder with some punch to the offense.
There will be a few moving parts. At least one maybe 2 of the LHB will go.
Gorman, Noot among Burleson and Donovan, jmo only 1 of those last 2 should
be dealt this off season.


Let's say you get your preference and the Cards keep AB and BD the 2 more productive player.
AB would still get OF time probably a lot of it. Herrera if unable to C, might be a fit at 1B.
I think I'm in agreement can't see them trading both
Melville
Forum User
Posts: 4692
Joined: 23 May 2024 16:16 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by Melville »

Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
Nope.
The best option is Gorman 3b, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2b, Contreras 1b - and Burleson floating between DH/RF/LF/1b.
Donovan should be retained as serve as the primary LF - as well as insurance for Gorman/Winn/Wetherholt.
ecleme22
Forum User
Posts: 4237
Joined: 23 May 2024 21:17 pm

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by ecleme22 »

Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:13 pm
dugoutrex wrote: 29 Nov 2025 13:05 pm
Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
hurdy gurdy is as good as gone - I'd be OK with it though
Wonder if Bloom could get enough return for Contreras, Gorman and Nootbaar to keep Donovan? That being picking up another serviceable starting pitcher, a reliever and an outfielder that could help. I'd like to see Saggese add outfield to his utility regimen.
No.

Donovan is gone.
AtillaTheBlue1
Forum User
Posts: 1168
Joined: 13 May 2018 08:13 am

Re: Would you be OK with this starting infield on opening day '26?

Post by AtillaTheBlue1 »

Shady wrote: 29 Nov 2025 12:35 pm Donovan 3B, Winn SS, Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B.
would be a cheap costing infield, money better be spent some where then
Post Reply