Burleys numbers are very average for 1st base

[Web7]

The Cards and the media are selling this like it’s a great thing lol….. look around the league at production at first base…… This offense needs an upgrade so bad

[Mort Gage]

The Cards and the media are selling this like it’s a great thing lol….. look around the league at production at first base…… This offense needs an upgrade so bad

He should be OK as a placeholder for the next year or two until they are ready to contend.

[ecleme22]

I do agree that Burleson as the def 1st string 1b is not a forgone conclusion.

[Shady]

Let's see how Burleson performs next season. He should be coming into his prime.

[Cusecards]

Burleson is the best fit right now and “average” is not the end of the world.
I’ll take average until someone better comes along.
Trust me....Burleson at 1B is far from our biggest issue!
Another Classic Webby Thread.
BAZAR!

[Shady]

Burleson is the best fit right now and “average” is not the end of the world.
I’ll take average until someone better comes along.
Trust me....Burleson at 1B is far from our biggest issue!
Another Classic Webby Thread.
BAZAR!

Donovan 3B, Winn SS Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B would be more than adequate for the infield. Bloom needs to upgrade at least one position in the outfield with some power. Problem is, Bloom may have to trade Donovan to get that. Anybody up for giving Robert a try? Especially, if Bloom could get him without trading Donovan.

[Cusecards]

Burleson is the best fit right now and “average” is not the end of the world.
I’ll take average until someone better comes along.
Trust me....Burleson at 1B is far from our biggest issue!
Another Classic Webby Thread.
BAZAR!

Donovan 3B, Winn SS Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B would be more than adequate for the infield. Bloom needs to upgrade at least one position in the outfield with some power. Problem is, Bloom may have to trade Donovan to get that.

Agree
The OF is the issue.
Although both Donovan and Herrera could wind up out there and IF they can handle it defensively their bats should be productive!

[Mort Gage]

Burleson is the best fit right now and “average” is not the end of the world.
I’ll take average until someone better comes along.
Trust me....Burleson at 1B is far from our biggest issue!
Another Classic Webby Thread.
BAZAR!

Donovan 3B, Winn SS Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B would be more than adequate for the infield. Bloom needs to upgrade at least one position in the outfield with some power. Problem is, Bloom may have to trade Donovan to get that. Anybody up for giving Robert a try? Especially, if Bloom could get him without trading Donovan.

They could also trade Burleson for an OF with the full six years of control. Burleson should be OK for a bit at 1B but he's not irreplaceable. They need power from somewhere and 1B is a logical candidate.

[Shady]

Burleson is the best fit right now and “average” is not the end of the world.
I’ll take average until someone better comes along.
Trust me....Burleson at 1B is far from our biggest issue!
Another Classic Webby Thread.
BAZAR!

Donovan 3B, Winn SS Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B would be more than adequate for the infield. Bloom needs to upgrade at least one position in the outfield with some power. Problem is, Bloom may have to trade Donovan to get that.

Agree
The OF is the issue.
Although both Donovan and Herrera could wind up out there and IF they can handle it defensively their bats should be productive!

Is Robert too expensive and injury prone to take a chance on in the outfield? If healthy, he could really help the outfield situation.

[ecleme22]

Burleson is the best fit right now and “average” is not the end of the world.
I’ll take average until someone better comes along.
Trust me....Burleson at 1B is far from our biggest issue!
Another Classic Webby Thread.
BAZAR!

Donovan 3B, Winn SS Wetherholt 2B and Burleson 1B would be more than adequate for the infield. Bloom needs to upgrade at least one position in the outfield with some power. Problem is, Bloom may have to trade Donovan to get that. Anybody up for giving Robert a try? Especially, if Bloom could get him without trading Donovan.

Donovan is traded.

The fact the OF is vulnerable is a reason Burleson might not, in fact, be anchored to 1b.

Other 1b options: NG, IH, Jordan, even Walker.

[moose-and-squirrel]

yes, Robert is too expensive and injury prone. has a chronic lower body issue (can't remember if it's his back or hips. think it's his hips)

that's not gonna get better as he ages. Sox should be unloading him for as much as they can get for him

[An Old Friend]

The Cards and the media are selling this like it’s a great thing lol….. look around the league at production at first base…… This offense needs an upgrade so bad

I looked at hitters as first basemen in 2025 and sorted to 300 plate appearances and up - there were 26 first basemen who met those parameters.

Burleson's 124 wRC+ would have ranked him 11th - for reference, Willson Contreras' 132 wRC+ was 8th.

Considering the strides that Burleson has made, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him around the 130 wRC+ mark in 2026 would have him right in range as a top-10 type bat at 1B.

Leaders in 2025:
164 - Nick Kurtz
153 - Jonathan Aranda
144 - Michael Busch
140 - Pete Alonso
140 - Freddie Freeman
137 - Vlad Guerrero
136 - Matt Olson
132 - Willson Contreras
131 - Vinnie Pasquantino
130 - Bryce Harper

[Shady]

The Cards and the media are selling this like it’s a great thing lol….. look around the league at production at first base…… This offense needs an upgrade so bad

I looked at hitters as first basemen in 2025 and sorted to 300 plate appearances and up - there were 26 first basemen who met those parameters.

Burleson's 124 wRC+ would have ranked him 11th - for reference, Willson Contreras' 132 wRC+ was 8th.

Considering the strides that Burleson has made, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him around the 130 wRC+ mark in 2026 would have him right in range as a top-10 type bat at 1B.

Leaders in 2025:
164 - Nick Kurtz
153 - Jonathan Aranda
144 - Michael Busch
140 - Pete Alonso
140 - Freddie Freeman
137 - Vlad Guerrero
136 - Matt Olson
132 - Willson Contreras
131 - Vinnie Pasquantino
130 - Bryce Harper

Some interesting 1B stats/comparisons. Burleson does seem to be trending upward. That 130 mark should be withing his reach.

[rockondlouie]

Burly 2025 (using all his hit totals at 1B/DH/OF):

18 HR
69 RBI
.290 .343 .459 .802

Rank among 2025 MLB Qualified 1st Baseman:

BA - 5th
HR - 14th
RBI - 14th
OB% - 11th
SLG% - 10th
OPS - 10th

I agree w/the OP, his HR & RBI totals are mediocre for a 1st Baseman.

Unless he can muscle up and hit 20+ HR's and drive in 80-85 runs, then he's not the L-T answer at 1st base where you need a strong run producer (ditto for 3rd base and eventually our corner OF).

[Shady]

Burly 2025 (using all his hit totals at 1B/DH/OF):

18 HR
69 RBI
.290 .343 .459 .802

Rank among 2025 MLB Qualified 1st Baseman:

BA - 5th
HR - 14th
RBI - 14th
OB% - 11th
SLG% - 10th
OPS - 10th

I agree w/the OP, his HR & RBI totals are mediocre for a 1st Baseman.

Unless he can muscle up and hit 20+ HR's and drive in 80-85 runs, then he's not the L-T answer at 1st base where you need a strong run producer (ditto for 3rd base and eventually our corner OF).

Burleson has been trending upward, overall. Stay tuned for his prime years. Which should be coming up.

[WLTFE]

Burleson is the best fit right now and “average” is not the end of the world.
I’ll take average until someone better comes along.
Trust me....Burleson at 1B is far from our biggest issue!
Another Classic Webby Thread.
BAZAR!

He does start a few 'Bazar' threads!