Outfield Pipeline

[11WSChamps]

That pipeline has some serious cracks in it.

[craviduce]

A wildcard could be trading a highly rated catcher, Crooks or Bernal, for a highly rated young outfielder.

I think trading Burleson for a promising AA center fielder would be the right move. The Cards have enough players who can fill in at 1B during the rebuilding phase.

I know there are others, but I keep coming back to the same 2 targets all offseason.

Alec Burleson for Carson Benge of the Mets.

Brendon Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero for Mike Sirota (OF), River Ryan and others.

If you had Benge, Sirota, and some combination of Walker, Scott, or Baez that would be worth looking at.

at what point do you consider trading the CompBal A pick?

Only to take a big deal over the top. For me, it would have to be a big deal where I felt like we were getting a real difference maker- or even two. It will be a deep draft and there will be someone good available there. I wouldn't even be opposed to taking Comp A picks from others in deals.

the reason I ask, Sirota for the Comp A pick is something the Dodgers like to do....Lux for Cincy's Comp A pick last year. I'm not sure how each would line up.

I would do that if the rest of the deal were put together right. How about you?

I really want Sirota. You and I have talked about this. I'm trying to justify just a Comp A for Sirota trade. I wouldn't attach it to Donovan unless the Dodgers added much more than Ryan. I don't see the two teams making a Blockbuster trade like that. Maybe I'm way off on this...probably am. But I see something simple like the Comp pick trade for just Sirota....The Dodgers love acquiring those picks. It's how they stay afloat in the drafts...you know with their constant penalties.

[Talkin' Baseball]

A wildcard could be trading a highly rated catcher, Crooks or Bernal, for a highly rated young outfielder.

I think trading Burleson for a promising AA center fielder would be the right move. The Cards have enough players who can fill in at 1B during the rebuilding phase.

I know there are others, but I keep coming back to the same 2 targets all offseason.

Alec Burleson for Carson Benge of the Mets.

Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero for Mike Sirota (OF), River Ryan and others.

If you had Benge, Sirota, and some combination of Walker, Scott, or Baez that would be worth looking at.

So who is a viable at 1B for the Cardinals if Burleson is traded for Benge? If you say Herrera, who is the DH without Burleson. If you say Gorman, good luck with that.

I'm not overly concerned about it. At this point I would rather be addressing that question than dealing with the gaping holes in the OF. I have ideas, and there are 1B answers out there.

[Shady]

A wildcard could be trading a highly rated catcher, Crooks or Bernal, for a highly rated young outfielder.

I think trading Burleson for a promising AA center fielder would be the right move. The Cards have enough players who can fill in at 1B during the rebuilding phase.

I know there are others, but I keep coming back to the same 2 targets all offseason.

Alec Burleson for Carson Benge of the Mets.

Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero for Mike Sirota (OF), River Ryan and others.

If you had Benge, Sirota, and some combination of Walker, Scott, or Baez that would be worth looking at.

So who is a viable at 1B for the Cardinals if Burleson is traded for Benge? If you say Herrera, who is the DH without Burleson. If you say Gorman, good luck with that.

I'm not overly concerned about it. At this point I would rather be addressing that question than dealing with the gaping holes in the OF. I have ideas, and there are 1B answers out there.

Marnol might be concerned about it. What are your ideas without Burleson in the lineup? The guy can really hit and he's just coming into his prime. His type of hitter don't grow on trees.

[Talkin' Baseball]

A wildcard could be trading a highly rated catcher, Crooks or Bernal, for a highly rated young outfielder.

I think trading Burleson for a promising AA center fielder would be the right move. The Cards have enough players who can fill in at 1B during the rebuilding phase.

I know there are others, but I keep coming back to the same 2 targets all offseason.

Alec Burleson for Carson Benge of the Mets.

Brendon Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero for Mike Sirota (OF), River Ryan and others.

If you had Benge, Sirota, and some combination of Walker, Scott, or Baez that would be worth looking at.

at what point do you consider trading the CompBal A pick?

Only to take a big deal over the top. For me, it would have to be a big deal where I felt like we were getting a real difference maker- or even two. It will be a deep draft and there will be someone good available there. I wouldn't even be opposed to taking Comp A picks from others in deals.

the reason I ask, Sirota for the Comp A pick is something the Dodgers like to do....Lux for Cincy's Comp A pick last year. I'm not sure how each would line up.

I would do that if the rest of the deal were put together right. How about you?

I really want Sirota. You and I have talked about this. I'm trying to justify just a Comp A for Sirota trade. I wouldn't attach it to Donovan unless the Dodgers added much more than Ryan. I don't see the two teams making a Blockbuster trade like that. Maybe I'm way off on this...probably am. But I see something simple like the Comp pick trade for just Sirota....The Dodgers love acquiring those picks. It's how they stay afloat in the drafts...you know with their constant penalties.

I do to. I think he is a good answer and he can be obtained. I don't think the comp pick alone gets you there.

My overall idea is Donovan, Nootbaar, and Romero for Mike Sirota (who would start the year at AA), River Ryan (who would go directly into the rotation), Alex Freeland who is a switch hitter and can play 2B, SS, and 3B (he may be our starting 3B) and Adam Serwinowski (who would start at AA or AAA).

[Shady]

Some you guys are fantasizing about some prospects. Burleson has proven to be a sure thing as an MLB hitter. Don't discount it. And he'll likely improve though his prime years.

[craviduce]

A wildcard could be trading a highly rated catcher, Crooks or Bernal, for a highly rated young outfielder.

I think trading Burleson for a promising AA center fielder would be the right move. The Cards have enough players who can fill in at 1B during the rebuilding phase.

I know there are others, but I keep coming back to the same 2 targets all offseason.

Alec Burleson for Carson Benge of the Mets.

Brendon Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero for Mike Sirota (OF), River Ryan and others.

If you had Benge, Sirota, and some combination of Walker, Scott, or Baez that would be worth looking at.

at what point do you consider trading the CompBal A pick?

Only to take a big deal over the top. For me, it would have to be a big deal where I felt like we were getting a real difference maker- or even two. It will be a deep draft and there will be someone good available there. I wouldn't even be opposed to taking Comp A picks from others in deals.

the reason I ask, Sirota for the Comp A pick is something the Dodgers like to do....Lux for Cincy's Comp A pick last year. I'm not sure how each would line up.

I would do that if the rest of the deal were put together right. How about you?

I really want Sirota. You and I have talked about this. I'm trying to justify just a Comp A for Sirota trade. I wouldn't attach it to Donovan unless the Dodgers added much more than Ryan. I don't see the two teams making a Blockbuster trade like that. Maybe I'm way off on this...probably am. But I see something simple like the Comp pick trade for just Sirota....The Dodgers love acquiring those picks. It's how they stay afloat in the drafts...you know with their constant penalties.

I do to. I think he is a good answer and he can be obtained. I don't think the comp pick alone gets you there.

My overall idea is Donovan, Nootbaar, and Romero for Mike Sirota (who would start the year at AA), River Ryan (who would go directly into the rotation), Alex Freeland who is a switch hitter and can play 2B, SS, and 3B (he may be our starting 3B) and Adam Serwinowski (who would start at AA or AAA).

Freeland and Sirota...wow. I like Serwinowski, has some Clarke vibe to him. His walks aren't bad, they're not great...but why so many hits yielded? Power FB/Slider combo is always nice. BP at worst for him. Fits our recent current mold of High Ceiling, Low Floor LHP.

[Talkin' Baseball]

A wildcard could be trading a highly rated catcher, Crooks or Bernal, for a highly rated young outfielder.

I think trading Burleson for a promising AA center fielder would be the right move. The Cards have enough players who can fill in at 1B during the rebuilding phase.

I know there are others, but I keep coming back to the same 2 targets all offseason.

Alec Burleson for Carson Benge of the Mets.

Brendon Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero for Mike Sirota (OF), River Ryan and others.

If you had Benge, Sirota, and some combination of Walker, Scott, or Baez that would be worth looking at.

at what point do you consider trading the CompBal A pick?

Only to take a big deal over the top. For me, it would have to be a big deal where I felt like we were getting a real difference maker- or even two. It will be a deep draft and there will be someone good available there. I wouldn't even be opposed to taking Comp A picks from others in deals.

the reason I ask, Sirota for the Comp A pick is something the Dodgers like to do....Lux for Cincy's Comp A pick last year. I'm not sure how each would line up.

I would do that if the rest of the deal were put together right. How about you?

I really want Sirota. You and I have talked about this. I'm trying to justify just a Comp A for Sirota trade. I wouldn't attach it to Donovan unless the Dodgers added much more than Ryan. I don't see the two teams making a Blockbuster trade like that. Maybe I'm way off on this...probably am. But I see something simple like the Comp pick trade for just Sirota....The Dodgers love acquiring those picks. It's how they stay afloat in the drafts...you know with their constant penalties.

I do to. I think he is a good answer and he can be obtained. I don't think the comp pick alone gets you there.

My overall idea is Donovan, Nootbaar, and Romero for Mike Sirota (who would start the year at AA), River Ryan (who would go directly into the rotation), Alex Freeland who is a switch hitter and can play 2B, SS, and 3B (he may be our starting 3B) and Adam Serwinowski (who would start at AA or AAA).

Freeland and Sirota...wow. I like Serwinowski, has some Clarke vibe to him. His walks aren't bad, they're not great...but why so many hits yielded? Power FB/Slider combo is always nice. BP at worst for him. Fits our recent current mold of High Ceiling, Low Floor LHP.

BTV actually shows the Cardinals giving up just a little more than LA in that deal. Would you put the comp pick with that for that return?

[craviduce]

you know, TB...Cam Lieter might be an option if he's pronounced fully healthy and a promise return to 2024 form. As a throw in....I don't know. Explosive potential...but the shoulder...we all know what shoulder injuries can do your pitching arm.

[craviduce]

A wildcard could be trading a highly rated catcher, Crooks or Bernal, for a highly rated young outfielder.

I think trading Burleson for a promising AA center fielder would be the right move. The Cards have enough players who can fill in at 1B during the rebuilding phase.

I know there are others, but I keep coming back to the same 2 targets all offseason.

Alec Burleson for Carson Benge of the Mets.

Brendon Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero for Mike Sirota (OF), River Ryan and others.

If you had Benge, Sirota, and some combination of Walker, Scott, or Baez that would be worth looking at.

at what point do you consider trading the CompBal A pick?

Only to take a big deal over the top. For me, it would have to be a big deal where I felt like we were getting a real difference maker- or even two. It will be a deep draft and there will be someone good available there. I wouldn't even be opposed to taking Comp A picks from others in deals.

the reason I ask, Sirota for the Comp A pick is something the Dodgers like to do....Lux for Cincy's Comp A pick last year. I'm not sure how each would line up.

I would do that if the rest of the deal were put together right. How about you?

I really want Sirota. You and I have talked about this. I'm trying to justify just a Comp A for Sirota trade. I wouldn't attach it to Donovan unless the Dodgers added much more than Ryan. I don't see the two teams making a Blockbuster trade like that. Maybe I'm way off on this...probably am. But I see something simple like the Comp pick trade for just Sirota....The Dodgers love acquiring those picks. It's how they stay afloat in the drafts...you know with their constant penalties.

I do to. I think he is a good answer and he can be obtained. I don't think the comp pick alone gets you there.

My overall idea is Donovan, Nootbaar, and Romero for Mike Sirota (who would start the year at AA), River Ryan (who would go directly into the rotation), Alex Freeland who is a switch hitter and can play 2B, SS, and 3B (he may be our starting 3B) and Adam Serwinowski (who would start at AA or AAA).

Freeland and Sirota...wow. I like Serwinowski, has some Clarke vibe to him. His walks aren't bad, they're not great...but why so many hits yielded? Power FB/Slider combo is always nice. BP at worst for him. Fits our recent current mold of High Ceiling, Low Floor LHP.

BTV actually shows the Cardinals giving up just a little more than LA in that deal. Would you put the comp pick with that for that return?

I wouldn't add it in there. Not unless they're hesitant...and like you said "Only to take a Big Deal over the top"....maybe I could justify it in my head....Freeland and Sirota would be a steal. Maybe I can justify it.

[Talkin' Baseball]

A wildcard could be trading a highly rated catcher, Crooks or Bernal, for a highly rated young outfielder.

I think trading Burleson for a promising AA center fielder would be the right move. The Cards have enough players who can fill in at 1B during the rebuilding phase.

I know there are others, but I keep coming back to the same 2 targets all offseason.

Alec Burleson for Carson Benge of the Mets.

Brendon Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero for Mike Sirota (OF), River Ryan and others.

If you had Benge, Sirota, and some combination of Walker, Scott, or Baez that would be worth looking at.

at what point do you consider trading the CompBal A pick?

Only to take a big deal over the top. For me, it would have to be a big deal where I felt like we were getting a real difference maker- or even two. It will be a deep draft and there will be someone good available there. I wouldn't even be opposed to taking Comp A picks from others in deals.

the reason I ask, Sirota for the Comp A pick is something the Dodgers like to do....Lux for Cincy's Comp A pick last year. I'm not sure how each would line up.

I would do that if the rest of the deal were put together right. How about you?

I really want Sirota. You and I have talked about this. I'm trying to justify just a Comp A for Sirota trade. I wouldn't attach it to Donovan unless the Dodgers added much more than Ryan. I don't see the two teams making a Blockbuster trade like that. Maybe I'm way off on this...probably am. But I see something simple like the Comp pick trade for just Sirota....The Dodgers love acquiring those picks. It's how they stay afloat in the drafts...you know with their constant penalties.

I do to. I think he is a good answer and he can be obtained. I don't think the comp pick alone gets you there.

My overall idea is Donovan, Nootbaar, and Romero for Mike Sirota (who would start the year at AA), River Ryan (who would go directly into the rotation), Alex Freeland who is a switch hitter and can play 2B, SS, and 3B (he may be our starting 3B) and Adam Serwinowski (who would start at AA or AAA).

Freeland and Sirota...wow. I like Serwinowski, has some Clarke vibe to him. His walks aren't bad, they're not great...but why so many hits yielded? Power FB/Slider combo is always nice. BP at worst for him. Fits our recent current mold of High Ceiling, Low Floor LHP.

BTV actually shows the Cardinals giving up just a little more than LA in that deal. Would you put the comp pick with that for that return?

I wouldn't add it in there. Not unless they're hesitant...and like you said "Only to take a Big Deal over the top"....maybe I could justify it in my head....Freeland and Sirota would be a steal. Maybe I can justify it.

And that's where I am with the comp pick- if it does THAT for you.

[CorneliusWolfe]

St Louis Cardinals
Lars Nootbaar, LH
Jordan Walker, RH
Victor Scott II, LH
Nathan Church, LH

Memphis Redbirds
Joshua Baez, RH
Chase Davis, LH
Miguel Ugueto, RH
Matt Koperniak, LH

Springfield Cardinals
Travis Honeyman, RH
Won Bin Cho, LH
Zach Levenson, RH

Peoria Chiefs
Jose Cordoba, RH
Yordalin Pena, RH
Luis Pino, RH
Jose Suarez, RH

Nootbaar feels like a prime candidate to be a trade chip at the deadline if he shows he’s healthy and able to produce coming off surgery. We all know what’s at stake for JW in 2026. Baez is the most intriguing prospect of this group because of the strides he made last year, very excited to see how he progresses this year. Honeyman and Ugueto recently competed in the Arizona fall league. From all reports it sounds like Honeyman is healthy for the first time in a long time so this is a big year coming up for him. It would be nice to see Chase Davis have a Baez like jump in production. Am I missing any outfielders with a 2-3 year timeline to reach St Louis and contribute?

Do you think any free agents are added to this mix or is this the group we’re rolling with for the foreseeable future?

I’m hoping a potential Donovan trade focuses on OF improvement, assuming the Noah Cameron thing was just smoke. I was kind of warming up to that idea because I would’ve liked to see someone added to the rotation that isn’t such a question mark and would still be around for the turnaround timeframe.

[Mort Gage]

A wildcard could be trading a highly rated catcher, Crooks or Bernal, for a highly rated young outfielder.

I think trading Burleson for a promising AA center fielder would be the right move. The Cards have enough players who can fill in at 1B during the rebuilding phase.

I know there are others, but I keep coming back to the same 2 targets all offseason.

Alec Burleson for Carson Benge of the Mets.

Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JoJo Romero for Mike Sirota (OF), River Ryan and others.

If you had Benge, Sirota, and some combination of Walker, Scott, or Baez that would be worth looking at.

So who is a viable at 1B for the Cardinals if Burleson is traded for Benge? If you say Herrera, who is the DH without Burleson. If you say Gorman, good luck with that.

I'm not overly concerned about it. At this point I would rather be addressing that question than dealing with the gaping holes in the OF. I have ideas, and there are 1B answers out there.

Marnol might be concerned about it. What are your ideas without Burleson in the lineup? The guy can really hit and he's just coming into his prime. His type of hitter don't grow on trees.

Yes, his 1.9 bWAR in '25 and career 2.2 over three seasons are entirely irreplaceable. If they could get Benge for him they should jump all over it. The sum of Burleson's parts is a pedestrian player. Finding a stopgap 1B is easy. It's not like they would be searching for a SS.

[stlgolf]

Arenado, Nootbar, and money for Sirota and Ryan
Donovan and Romero for Miller and Montes

Wait for 2027

[ICCFIM2]

St Louis Cardinals
Lars Nootbaar, LH
Jordan Walker, RH
Victor Scott II, LH
Nathan Church, LH

Memphis Redbirds
Joshua Baez, RH
Chase Davis, LH
Miguel Ugueto, RH
Matt Koperniak, LH

Springfield Cardinals
Travis Honeyman, RH
Won Bin Cho, LH
Zach Levenson, RH

Peoria Chiefs
Jose Cordoba, RH
Yordalin Pena, RH
Luis Pino, RH
Jose Suarez, RH

Nootbaar feels like a prime candidate to be a trade chip at the deadline if he shows he’s healthy and able to produce coming off surgery. We all know what’s at stake for JW in 2026. Baez is the most intriguing prospect of this group because of the strides he made last year, very excited to see how he progresses this year. Honeyman and Ugueto recently competed in the Arizona fall league. From all reports it sounds like Honeyman is healthy for the first time in a long time so this is a big year coming up for him. It would be nice to see Chase Davis have a Baez like jump in production. Am I missing any outfielders with a 2-3 year timeline to reach St Louis and contribute?

Do you think any free agents are added to this mix or is this the group we’re rolling with for the foreseeable future?

I’m hoping a potential Donovan trade focuses on OF improvement, assuming the Noah Cameron thing was just smoke. I was kind of warming up to that idea because I would’ve liked to see someone added to the rotation that isn’t such a question mark and would still be around for the turnaround timeframe.

I agree, the Donovan trade needs to focus on bats. They have a huge amount of SP depth after the last 2 trades. It is also why they should not go back to the Red Sox, who do not have many great position players to choose from.

Finally, given that Bernal is supposedly such a great defensive catcher, why the Cards are going back to Herrera at C is such a mystery to me. If Herrera can learn to play LF, which is not that hard, that fixes 1 OF position for the next 4 years at least. If Victor Scott can get on base at a 325-340 clip, CF is fixed for the next 4 years. Then they just need one more OF and it doesn't matter if anybody on the list above is any good or not, with the exception of Josh Baez. Adding 1-2 high end prospects in a Donovan trade makes this look so much better. That is why I am hoping they go back to Seattle and can get both Montes and Arroyo.

If the Dodgers like Nootbar so much, if they can package him and get River Ryan back, I would be happy for the Cards to call it an offseason at that point (assuming they can trade Arenado for a bucket of baseballs.) They will have all kinds of young guys competing for spots and quite a few with a lot of upside. That will add excitement to 2026, even if the overall results are not great. Hopefully 4-5 guys emerge and then 2027 can be interesting.

[Talkin' Baseball]

you know, TB...Cam Lieter might be an option if he's pronounced fully healthy and a promise return to 2024 form. As a throw in....I don't know. Explosive potential...but the shoulder...we all know what shoulder injuries can do your pitching arm.

I had to look him up. Looks like he was a very good prospect. As you say, shoulders are nasty. Significantly fewer successful comebacks. I don't remember what his specific issue was, but Chris Carpenter was rehabbing his shoulder when the Cardinals got him, so it can happen.