Herrera, Crooks, Bernial, Rodriquez

[Melville]

How would you rank them defensively? Who should be the catcher(s), who should they look to deal, and who should they look to move to a new position? Personally, I think Rodriquez is most likely to be moved to another position. Should they do it now, rather than wait as they did with Gorman and Walker?

Pages/Crooks should share the C job in 2026.
Herrera should never be allowed behind the plate in a MLB game unless there is an in-game 3rd catcher emergency.
Rodriguez should be given time for growth and development.
Bernal, therefore, as I have explained with perfection many times previously, is the correct and obvious trade piece.
A history lesson might be helpful.
Going into the 2020 season, it was an unusually good year for catcher representation on the Topp 100 Fangraphs prospect list:
Rutschman (7), Bart (10), Campusano (40), Varsho (59), Murphy (62), Amaya (65), Stephenson (73), Ruiz (88).
All 8 should be in the peak years of their career.
None are stars at the position - though one may yet get there.
No more than 2 are expected to be full time starting catchers in 2026.
A couple are solid journeymen.
Bernal, though ranked well in the STL system, would rank at or near the bottom of the list above at a comparable time (worth noting he is the 11th ranked catcher on MLB's Top 100 for 2026 and 98th overall).
That is not a criticism - just a reality.
The odds of Bernal becoming a top tier starting MLB catcher are pretty slim - and since the STL system is stocked with catchers who are just as likely as Bernal to succeed (or not succeed), the obviously correct strategic decision is to trade from that depth since it is near certain that doing so will have zero long term downside and can be leveraged to add talent at areas where the organization is thin - such as outfield.
Not a knock against Bernal.
Simply a matter or probabilities, of risk, and of reward.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Would love to see Herrera in the OF or 1b. I love his bat.

And as a catcher, any catcher, but especially one who has been working on throwing, left would be a nice place for that arm.

His skill set fits better there, no doubt.

[kscardsfan]

How would you rank them defensively? Who should be the catcher(s), who should they look to deal, and who should they look to move to a new position? Personally, I think Rodriquez is most likely to be moved to another position. Should they do it now, rather than wait as they did with Gorman and Walker?

Pages/Crooks should share the C job in 2026.
Herrera should never be allowed behind the plate in a MLB game unless there is an in-game 3rd catcher emergency.
Rodriguez should be given time for growth and development.
Bernal, therefore, as I have explained with perfection many times previously, is the correct and obvious trade piece.
A history lesson might be helpful.
Going into the 2020 season, it was an unusually good year for catcher representation on the Topp 100 Fangraphs prospect list:
Rutschman (7), Bart (10), Campusano (40), Varsho (59), Murphy (62), Amaya (65), Stephenson (73), Ruiz (88).
All 8 should be in the peak years of their career.
None are stars at the position - though one may yet get there.
No more than 2 are expected to be full time starting catchers in 2026.
A couple are solid journeymen.
Bernal, though ranked well in the STL system, would rank at or near the bottom of the list above at a comparable time (worth noting he is the 11th ranked catcher on MLB's Top 100 for 2026 and 98th overall).
That is not a criticism - just a reality.
The odds of Bernal becoming a top tier starting MLB catcher are pretty slim - and since the STL system is stocked with catchers who are just as likely as Bernal to succeed (or not succeed), the obviously correct strategic decision is to trade from that depth since it is near certain that doing so will have zero long term downside and can be leveraged to add talent at areas where the organization is thin - such as outfield.
Not a knock against Bernal.
Simply a matter or probabilities, of risk, and of reward.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Would love to see Herrera in the OF or 1b. I love his bat.

And as a catcher, any catcher, but especially one who has been working on throwing, left would be a nice place for that arm.

His skill set fits better there, no doubt.

Having Pages splitting time at Catcher is is no way easy obvious or correct. Get rid of him. He is worse than Kiz.

[Talkin' Baseball]

How would you rank them defensively? Who should be the catcher(s), who should they look to deal, and who should they look to move to a new position? Personally, I think Rodriquez is most likely to be moved to another position. Should they do it now, rather than wait as they did with Gorman and Walker?

Pages/Crooks should share the C job in 2026.
Herrera should never be allowed behind the plate in a MLB game unless there is an in-game 3rd catcher emergency.
Rodriguez should be given time for growth and development.
Bernal, therefore, as I have explained with perfection manty times previously, is the correct and obvious trade piece.
A history lesson might be helpful.
Going into the 2020 season, it was an unusually good year for catcher representation on the Topp 100 Fangraphs prospect list:
Rutschman (7), Bart (10), Campusano (40), Varsho (59), Murphy (62), Amaya (65), Stephenson (73), Ruiz (88).
All 8 should be in the peak years of their career.
None are stars at the position - though one may yet get there.
No more than 2 are expected to be full time starting catchers in 2026.
A couple are solid journeymen.
Bernal, though ranked well in the STL system, would rank at or near the bottom of the list above at a comparable time (worth noting he is the 11th ranked catcher on MLB's Top 100 for 2026 and 98th overall).
That is not a criticism - just a reality.
The odds of Bernal becoming a top tier starting MLB catcher are pretty slim - and since the STL system is stocked with catchers who are just as likely as Bernal to succeed (or not succeed), the obviously correct strategic decision is to trade from that depth since it is near certain that doing so will have zero long term downside and can be leveraged to add talent at areas where the organization is thin - such as outfield.
Not a knock against Bernal.
Simply a matter or probabilities, of risk, and of reward.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Melville falls in love, and when he falls in love, he falls hard.

[Cardinals4Life]

The catching situation/logjam all depends on Herrera, period.

If he succeeds there (though there are so many naysayers here on CT, who just regurgitate what they hear), which I believe he will, then the following happens:

1.) Crooks or Pages become your backup C. The other becomes trade bait. Crooks is better, but also wpuld provide more trade value.

2.) Bernal would then start as the primary backstop in AAA, with Pozo on hand to be called up for an emergency situation.

3.) Rodriguez continues his minor league development.

If Herrera falters (which I DO NOT think will happen), then the following happens:

1.) Herrera will be the full-time DH, or possibly work in LF or at 1B.

2.) Crooks/Pages form a L/R duo behind the plate abs split time there (unless Crooks really takes off and grabs hold of it).

3.) Bernal begins in Memphis with Pozo as his backup. Pozo would be called up for an injury.

4.) Rodriguez continues his minor league development

[CNYFan]

As a "naysayer" on Ivan I believe it was a mistake to use this off-season and the beginning of 2026 to try to make a major league catcher out his toolset. It is going to set him back from being able to fill in at 1B and LF, besides being the primary DH.

I also rate Bernal above Pages, so Pages will be a trade piece when Leo is ready. Pages, contrary to many naysayers on CT, has some important value as a decent MLB defensive backstop and a hitter with some occasional pop.

[Melville]

How would you rank them defensively? Who should be the catcher(s), who should they look to deal, and who should they look to move to a new position? Personally, I think Rodriquez is most likely to be moved to another position. Should they do it now, rather than wait as they did with Gorman and Walker?

Pages/Crooks should share the C job in 2026.
Herrera should never be allowed behind the plate in a MLB game unless there is an in-game 3rd catcher emergency.
Rodriguez should be given time for growth and development.
Bernal, therefore, as I have explained with perfection many times previously, is the correct and obvious trade piece.
A history lesson might be helpful.
Going into the 2020 season, it was an unusually good year for catcher representation on the Topp 100 Fangraphs prospect list:
Rutschman (7), Bart (10), Campusano (40), Varsho (59), Murphy (62), Amaya (65), Stephenson (73), Ruiz (88).
All 8 should be in the peak years of their career.
None are stars at the position - though one may yet get there.
No more than 2 are expected to be full time starting catchers in 2026.
A couple are solid journeymen.
Bernal, though ranked well in the STL system, would rank at or near the bottom of the list above at a comparable time (worth noting he is the 11th ranked catcher on MLB's Top 100 for 2026 and 98th overall).
That is not a criticism - just a reality.
The odds of Bernal becoming a top tier starting MLB catcher are pretty slim - and since the STL system is stocked with catchers who are just as likely as Bernal to succeed (or not succeed), the obviously correct strategic decision is to trade from that depth since it is near certain that doing so will have zero long term downside and can be leveraged to add talent at areas where the organization is thin - such as outfield.
Not a knock against Bernal.
Simply a matter or probabilities, of risk, and of reward.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Would love to see Herrera in the OF or 1b. I love his bat.

And as a catcher, any catcher, but especially one who has been working on throwing, left would be a nice place for that arm.

His skill set fits better there, no doubt.

Having Pages splitting time at Catcher is is no way easy obvious or correct. Get rid of him. He is worse than Kiz.

The pitching staff agrees with me - as they should.
Pages is not the long term solution, but is vastly preferable over Herrera.

[Melville]

As a "naysayer" on Ivan I believe it was a mistake to use this off-season and the beginning of 2026 to try to make a major league catcher out his toolset. It is going to set him back from being able to fill in at 1B and LF, besides being the primary DH.

I also rate Bernal above Pages, so Pages will be a trade piece when Leo is ready. Pages, contrary to many naysayers on CT, has some important value as a decent MLB defensive backstop and a hitter with some occasional pop.

The pitchers have booted Herrera out from behind the plate very quickly each of the past 2 seasons.
They don't want him there in 2026 either, so it is only a question as to whether Bloom will listen to them - and I believe he will.
You are correct about Pages - he has more value than some believe - and those are the folks who really don't understand the position.
You are also correct that Bernal, if the Cardinals get lucky, has the higher ceiling of the two.
But that is not the question under discussion.
Right now, Bernal is not ready to be an MLB catcher, let alone a starter.
Nor is he the right choice to handle a young pitching staff in 2026.
There are better options ahead of him today (Crooks, Pages) - and he will very quickly be caught by Rodriguez chasing him through the system below.
Frankly, this isn't even a close call.
Thinking both short term and long term of the position, and the opportunity at the present to leverage the organization's depth at the spot, there is just one logical answer based on known facts currently: if the team chooses to trade a catcher, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to move Bernal.
There really isn't any intelligent dispute on the topic - it is that obvious.

[kscardsfan]

As a "naysayer" on Ivan I believe it was a mistake to use this off-season and the beginning of 2026 to try to make a major league catcher out his toolset. It is going to set him back from being able to fill in at 1B and LF, besides being the primary DH.

I also rate Bernal above Pages, so Pages will be a trade piece when Leo is ready. Pages, contrary to many naysayers on CT, has some important value as a decent MLB defensive backstop and a hitter with some occasional pop.

The pitchers have booted Herrera out from behind the plate very quickly each of the past 2 seasons.
They don't want him there in 2026 either, so it is only a question as to whether Bloom will listen to them - and I believe he will.
You are correct about Pages - he has more value than some believe - and those are the folks who really don't understand the position.
You are also correct that Bernal, if the Cardinals get lucky, has the higher ceiling of the two.
But that is not the question under discussion.
Right now, Bernal is not ready to be an MLB catcher, let alone a starter.
Nor is he the right choice to handle a young pitching staff in 2026.
There are better options ahead of him today (Crooks, Pages) - and he will very quickly be caught by Rodriguez chasing him through the system below.
Frankly, this isn't even a close call.
Thinking both short term and long term of the position, and the opportunity at the present to leverage the organization's depth at the spot, there is just one logical answer based on known facts currently: if the team chooses to trade a catcher, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to move Bernal.
There really isn't any intelligent dispute on the topic - it is that obvious.

Which Pitchers told you? Pages is a passed ball machine. Has no range whatsoever. Herrera has a weak arm, though maybe it needed that surgery. Might wanna wait and see then kick him outta there

[82birds]

From what I’ve read and seen this is what I would do…

Herrera maybe not this year but he’s a future 1B.
I think Burly is a better OF option than Herrera. Herrera is the better hitter and and there is better catcher coming up.

Crooks, I would trade while value is high.

Bernial would be future catcher. He’s the best defensively.

Rodriquez might be our best hitter period. Not just best hitting catcher. I mean he has a chance to be our best hitter period.
I would be working him out at 3B 1B to see what his potential is.
He might bump Herrera to DH and take 1B.

a 5'8" first baseman?
yikes

[renostl]

The catching situation/logjam all depends on Herrera, period.

If he succeeds there (though there are so many naysayers here on CT, who just regurgitate what they hear), which I believe he will, then the following happens:

1.) Crooks or Pages become your backup C. The other becomes trade bait. Crooks is better, but also wpuld provide more trade value.

2.) Bernal would then start as the primary backstop in AAA, with Pozo on hand to be called up for an emergency situation.

3.) Rodriguez continues his minor league development.

If Herrera falters (which I DO NOT think will happen), then the following happens:

1.) Herrera will be the full-time DH, or possibly work in LF or at 1B.

2.) Crooks/Pages form a L/R duo behind the plate abs split time there (unless Crooks really takes off and grabs hold of it).

3.) Bernal begins in Memphis with Pozo as his backup. Pozo would be called up for an injury.

4.) Rodriguez continues his minor league development

As good of a POV as any.

To add, I think regardless of the near-term winners to the position that it will be more of a split position.
Difficult to see any of the near-term players Pages, Crooks, Herrera, or Pozo being a 160 game catcher.
Pages caught 110 games. 100 games may be the high side split. Cal Raleigh 119 games.
It's just done different than Yadi or Matheny.

Looking at it as a split position changes how any of them are seen. IF Herrera is seen as the offensive
catcher then the in the clubhouse defensive leader has to be Pages as of today. Crooks would need
to unseat him at least vs RHP splits. If he is unable to do that, he's the guy that I'd move of the group.
Pozo would still be the plan B. Crooks and a pitcher --Jo Jo, Pallante, Fitts, Dobbins, or Mathews--may return something they're low on.

The 1 single caveat Ivan has is he's not been an iron horse, in fact most of the team has that issue.

[rockondlouie]

I'd like to see Bloom deal P. Pages ASAP, he's not the present or the future.

Give Hererra/Crooks the playing time this season (Hererra's going to get his shot behind the plate just like Norman is going to get his shot at 3rd base.....it's going to happen so why fight it?).

Hopefully Bernal progresses quickly and is ready no later than the 2027 season (perhaps even by mid 2026?), just in time to replace Hererra who should have been sufficiently exposed by then as not being a major league catcher.

By 2028 R.R. (as long as he continues on his rocket ship to MLB) could be here and if he's still behind the plate, then it free's up Bernal as trade bait.

But get rid of Pages, he's just taking up space.

[renostl]

I'd like to see Bloom deal P. Pages ASAP, he's not the present or the future.

Give Hererra/Crooks the playing time this season (Hererra's going to get his shot behind the plate just like Norman is going to get his shot at 3rd base.....it's going to happen so why fight it?).

Hopefully Bernal progresses quickly and is ready no later than the 2027 season (perhaps even by mid 2026?), just in time to replace Hererra who should have been sufficiently exposed by then as not being a major league catcher.

By 2028 R.R. (as long as he continues on his rocket ship to MLB) could be here and if he's still behind the plate, then it free's up Bernal as trade bait.

But get rid of Pages, he's just taking up space.

All True

Probably. I would have he and Crooks battle for the position and for the return
in trade. You'll be moving a position of strength, you may want return. Add Jo Jo.

Pozo supplies depth for either.

[Melville]

The catching situation/logjam all depends on Herrera, period.

If he succeeds there (though there are so many naysayers here on CT, who just regurgitate what they hear), which I believe he will, then the following happens:

1.) Crooks or Pages become your backup C. The other becomes trade bait. Crooks is better, but also wpuld provide more trade value.

2.) Bernal would then start as the primary backstop in AAA, with Pozo on hand to be called up for an emergency situation.

3.) Rodriguez continues his minor league development.

If Herrera falters (which I DO NOT think will happen), then the following happens:

1.) Herrera will be the full-time DH, or possibly work in LF or at 1B.

2.) Crooks/Pages form a L/R duo behind the plate abs split time there (unless Crooks really takes off and grabs hold of it).

3.) Bernal begins in Memphis with Pozo as his backup. Pozo would be called up for an injury.

4.) Rodriguez continues his minor league development

As good of a POV as any.

To add, I think regardless of the near-term winners to the position that it will be more of a split position.
Difficult to see any of the near-term players Pages, Crooks, Herrera, or Pozo being a 160 game catcher.
Pages caught 110 games. 100 games may be the high side split. Cal Raleigh 119 games.
It's just done different than Yadi or Matheny.

Looking at it as a split position changes how any of them are seen. IF Herrera is seen as the offensive
catcher then the in the clubhouse defensive leader has to be Pages as of today. Crooks would need
to unseat him at least vs RHP splits. If he is unable to do that, he's the guy that I'd move of the group.
Pozo would still be the plan B. Crooks and a pitcher --Jo Jo, Pallante, Fitts, Dobbins, or Mathews--may return something they're low on.

The 1 single caveat Ivan has is he's not been an iron horse, in fact most of the team has that issue.

120 starts is considered a full-time starting catcher load in MLB currently.
Only 3 (119,128,132) reached that approximate mark or more in 2025, so that is pretty much the industry ceiling right now.
Everyone can likely name those 3 without looking it up.
With 102 starts, Pages was in the top 11.
Like it or not, the starting job is his currently.
The only questions are how many games can Crooks take from him and how many will Bloom waste on Herrera?

[Basil Shabazz]

Pages, contrary to many naysayers on CT, has some important value as a decent MLB defensive backstop and a hitter with some occasional pop.

Pages has very little value to other teams.

Most if not all organizations have a version of Pedro Pages in their system.

[Carp4Cy]

FG says this about Rodriguez's catching:

Rodriguez's best defensive trait right now is his agile ball-blocking, which he makes look easy. In the event he gives up a long rebound, he's quick out of his crouch to prevent an advance, and this extends to his throwing. Rodriguez's throwing footwork needs polish, but he has an average raw arm that should play up because of his exchange and accuracy. In addition to just being a very talented baseball player, Rodriguez is also heady, poised, and competitive. He carries himself like an older lad who belongs in the mid-minors with other adults, and one can foresee him growing into the sort of person who leads your clubhouse. Teenage catching prospect caveats apply here but, man, this is an exciting player who looks like a future impact regular.

If he can stick at catcher, I would definitely leave him there. Getting plus offense out of your catcher (like a Shea Langeliers, who FG also compares him to) would be a major advantage in the future. He can always DH on days off from behind the plate.

Long-term we need to stick a plus bat at as many positions as the defense can handle.

Without legitimate gold glove plus MVP type bats at first base third base and centerfield like we had with Pujols Edmonds Rolen, we can’t afford any holes in our lineup to get back to overall elite. That’s going to mean an 800+ OPS at catcher if we can find that, and a true legit 120 RBI DH not a committee.

We’re also going to need some serious production from shortstop and all the outfield spots. This isn’t about comparing to average around the league. Everybody has to be well above average for us to truly be elite.

[Melville]

Pages, contrary to many naysayers on CT, has some important value as a decent MLB defensive backstop and a hitter with some occasional pop.

Pages has very little value to other teams.

Most if not all organizations have a version of Pedro Pages in their system.

The fact that he was 11th most in starts by a catcher in 2025 says otherwise.