Burleys numbers are very average for 1st base

[Shady]

The OP has a point. We never know what will make the most sense once the games are played.

I think it was 2016 when Adams was more or less our 1b. By years end, it was Carpenter’s position.

I can see Herrera, Gorman or Jordan getting a healthy look as well.

Gorman and Walker need to focus on being consistent, productive MLB hitters first.

[CCard]

His OPS is 100 points lower vs left handed pitchers. Of course it's still around 700 so that's not awful. He doesn't look very agile though. I guess they'll give him the first crack at it.

[Carp4Cy]

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

That's this teams entire strategy? See how they do? Over and Over and Over???

[renostl]

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

Correct.
Among the qualified his OPS places him

#10 at 1B
#6 in RF
#5 in LF
#9 DH

He still needs more SLG in his profile. His less valuable
portion in his OPS lifts his rankings.
His HR total with the same qualifier places him

#16 at 1B
#14 in RF
#16 in LF
#16 at DH

25 or 26 HRs would raise him to top 5 or 6 in the cOF
and 10-11 1B/DH
Depends on the rest of the roster where his "best" place is.

[Carp4Cy]

The OP has a point. We never know what will make the most sense once the games are played.

I think it was 2016 when Adams was more or less our 1b. By years end, it was Carpenter’s position.

I can see Herrera, Gorman or Jordan getting a healthy look as well.

There is a reason we traded for Goldy after 2018. That carosel of JMart, Adams, even Carp who averaged only 19 HRs per 162 games over his career - none were consistent elite for 1b and every good Cards team needs ELITE corners and a consistent roster spot. Also Carp was more valuable at other positions - his bat was certainly Elite for 2b/3b some of those years.

Long term we need another Clark/McGwire/Pujols/Goldy level rock at 1B.

[CorneliusWolfe]

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

A star of his magnitude, just coming into his own should be in the bright lights of New York. Prime Time Burly.

He’s truly in a league of his own…a generational and transformative talent. I don’t know why he doesn’t just play the other teams by himself. And he’s just now about to come into his prime!

[ecleme22]

The OP has a point. We never know what will make the most sense once the games are played.

I think it was 2016 when Adams was more or less our 1b. By years end, it was Carpenter’s position.

I can see Herrera, Gorman or Jordan getting a healthy look as well.

There is a reason we traded for Goldy after 2018. That carosel of JMart, Adams, even Carp who averaged only 19 HRs per 162 games over his career - none were consistent elite for 1b and every good Cards team needs ELITE corners and a consistent roster spot. Also Carp was more valuable at other positions - his bat was certainly Elite for 2b/3b some of those years.

Long term we need another Clark/McGwire/Pujols/Goldy level rock at 1B.

The reason they traded for Goldie was 1) we had an opportunity to get him and 2) Carp was versatile.

Carp was a beast for a while…

[AnExParrot]

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

Is achieving the major league "average" at any position a bad thing? Look at the production around the league for first baseman. If Burly matches the "average" production, that is a huge win. 45 HR guys dont grow on trees, and are not made available . If they get "average" out of Burley, they've got their answer at first.

Burleson will be fine at 1B. He'll likely make these nitpickers squirm for additional ways to critique him. I really don't need to defend him on CT any more. Just let Burly's bat do the talking.

excellent, do not defend him anymore, and no more threads. win, win correct? you don't have to defend him and us nitpickers don't have to wade through all the burly threads

All threads are Burly threads, resistance is futile!

[zuck698]

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

Is achieving the major league "average" at any position a bad thing? Look at the production around the league for first baseman. If Burly matches the "average" production, that is a huge win. 45 HR guys dont grow on trees, and are not made available . If they get "average" out of Burley, they've got their answer at first.

Burleson will be fine at 1B. He'll likely make these nitpickers squirm for additional ways to critique him. I really don't need to defend him on CT any more. Just let Burly's bat do the talking.

excellent, do not defend him anymore, and no more threads. win, win correct? you don't have to defend him and us nitpickers don't have to wade through all the burly threads

All threads are Burly threads, resistance is futile!

Only if there really was a Santa Claus! Shady probably got a new set of Burly P.J.s for Christmas so I would expect the "next Joey Votto" posts to only increase in nature!