Who is the back up at 1B for the Cardinals presently?

[Jeff Goldblum]

Ah, yes, the burning question of who will be the backup 1B on a team in a rebuild . . .

Some people think that they are actually going to compete this year...

Depends on what you mean by "competing".

Competing for a WS title, .....no

Playing exciting baseball and hovering around .500? .....I think for this team, that would be "competing". So I'm guilty for thinking they will compete.

Hovering around .500 is thrilling.

For a young, rebuilding team, I think it is.

Many here will be starting a new thread every time Donny Arenado, or Contreras gets a hit.
Many will be enjoying watching the future of the Cardinals getting their feet wet, win or lose. A rebuild can be fun if you keep everything in perspective.

Actually, I want to apologize for being a smart (donkey) because I'm 1000% on board for dismantling and starting from scratch. I just don't expect year one of a rebuild to be especially exciting. I'm looking forward to the future, but there will be growing pains and most likely some bad baseball ahead. I've been wrong before, though.

[Wattage]

Pretty much all the infielders are capable of backing up 1b which is the easiest infield position. Also herrera has actually played 1b before as have other catchers

[Strummer Jones]

Burly will be fine at first base. Probably average defensively once he gets his sea legs.

My money would be on Gorman. He's spent time there before.

[BrockFloodMaris]

Pretty much all the infielders are capable of backing up 1b which is the easiest infield position. Also herrera has actually played 1b before as have other catchers

I'll bet the Cards have placed an order with Rawlings for a case of 1B mitts for delivery to Jupiter.

[RamFan08NY]

Ah, yes, the burning question of who will be the backup 1B on a team in a rebuild . . .

Some people think that they are actually going to compete this year...

Depends on what you mean by "competing".

Competing for a WS title, .....no

Playing exciting baseball and hovering around .500? .....I think for this team, that would be "competing". So I'm guilty for thinking they will compete.

Hovering around .500 is thrilling.

For a young, rebuilding team, I think it is.

Many here will be starting a new thread every time Donny Arenado, or Contreras gets a hit.
Many will be enjoying watching the future of the Cardinals getting their feet wet, win or lose. A rebuild can be fun if you keep everything in perspective.

Actually, I want to apologize for being a smart (donkey) because I'm 1000% on board for dismantling and starting from scratch. I just don't expect year one of a rebuild to be especially exciting. I'm looking forward to the future, but there will be growing pains and most likely some bad baseball ahead. I've been wrong before, though.

Classy reply Jeff. Was no hard feelings. We've all got to try and find a silver lining in the storm this season. There's a handful of players on "make it or break it" seasons.

[Adam2]

Maybe Burleson? His defense is weak but ok for a backup at first base. Other than DH no other spot for him.

I believe that the premise of the OP is that Burleson is the regular starting first baseman, not a backup.

Agree, but that's a problem if Burly is your #1. Bad memories of other Dr. Stonegloves at 1B like Jose Martinez, Pedro Guerrero and Greg Jefferies.

But as others have said, the starter at 1B, much less the back-up, is only one of a myriad of problems.

from what I saw, Burleson was actually quite good with the glove there. Martinez and Guerrero were brutal

Burley had only 356 innings at 1b last year (38 starts), and the results weren't good (-3 DRS, which put him 31st among 41 players with more than 350 innings).

Specifically, what was Burleson so bad at, defensively, at first base?

He has poor range, a 0 arm, and I'll add a non-stat: not very athletic. I'll admit that he hasn't played there much, so it's hard to have reliable stats (i.e. SSS).

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of his range and arm. To each their own. The Cardinals seem to be confidant enough in him to make him their starting first baseman. That actually says a lot.

They don't really have other options. It's not that they are confident. It will probably be a rotation of Herrera, Burleson, and maybe Gorman. None of whom are good defensively currently. Burleson is ok when the ball is hit at him, but he has zero range and an average to below average arm. He needs more experience there to determine if he can start picking balls in the dirt better to aid his infielders.

[Shady]

Maybe Burleson? His defense is weak but ok for a backup at first base. Other than DH no other spot for him.

I believe that the premise of the OP is that Burleson is the regular starting first baseman, not a backup.

Agree, but that's a problem if Burly is your #1. Bad memories of other Dr. Stonegloves at 1B like Jose Martinez, Pedro Guerrero and Greg Jefferies.

But as others have said, the starter at 1B, much less the back-up, is only one of a myriad of problems.

from what I saw, Burleson was actually quite good with the glove there. Martinez and Guerrero were brutal

Burley had only 356 innings at 1b last year (38 starts), and the results weren't good (-3 DRS, which put him 31st among 41 players with more than 350 innings).

Specifically, what was Burleson so bad at, defensively, at first base?

He has poor range, a 0 arm, and I'll add a non-stat: not very athletic. I'll admit that he hasn't played there much, so it's hard to have reliable stats (i.e. SSS).

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of his range and arm. To each their own. The Cardinals seem to be confidant enough in him to make him their starting first baseman. That actually says a lot.

They don't really have other options. It's not that they are confident. It will probably be a rotation of Herrera, Burleson, and maybe Gorman. None of whom are good defensively currently. Burleson is ok when the ball is hit at him, but he has zero range and an average to below average arm. He needs more experience there to determine if he can start picking balls in the dirt better to aid his infielders.

Burleson has been more than adequate at picking balls out of the dirt. And I can't believe a former D1 pitcher has "an average to below average arm" for 1B. Yes, the Cardinals are confident in Burleson as their starting 1B, defensively.

[Adam2]

Maybe Burleson? His defense is weak but ok for a backup at first base. Other than DH no other spot for him.

I believe that the premise of the OP is that Burleson is the regular starting first baseman, not a backup.

Agree, but that's a problem if Burly is your #1. Bad memories of other Dr. Stonegloves at 1B like Jose Martinez, Pedro Guerrero and Greg Jefferies.

But as others have said, the starter at 1B, much less the back-up, is only one of a myriad of problems.

from what I saw, Burleson was actually quite good with the glove there. Martinez and Guerrero were brutal

Burley had only 356 innings at 1b last year (38 starts), and the results weren't good (-3 DRS, which put him 31st among 41 players with more than 350 innings).

Specifically, what was Burleson so bad at, defensively, at first base?

He has poor range, a 0 arm, and I'll add a non-stat: not very athletic. I'll admit that he hasn't played there much, so it's hard to have reliable stats (i.e. SSS).

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of his range and arm. To each their own. The Cardinals seem to be confidant enough in him to make him their starting first baseman. That actually says a lot.

They don't really have other options. It's not that they are confident. It will probably be a rotation of Herrera, Burleson, and maybe Gorman. None of whom are good defensively currently. Burleson is ok when the ball is hit at him, but he has zero range and an average to below average arm. He needs more experience there to determine if he can start picking balls in the dirt better to aid his infielders.

Burleson has been more than adequate at picking balls out of the dirt. And I can't believe a former D1 pitcher has "an average to below average arm" for 1B. Yes, the Cardinals are confident in Burleson as their starting 1B, defensively.

I'm just stating i don't think he's very good right now, but i think he can improve with more experience. I think the cardinals find Herrera will not be an everyday catcher for 162, so he, burleson, and sometimes gorman break up time at first base. We obviously don't have a star at any position on the field (masyn winn is good, not a star) so every position is wide open to who is playing best at any given time

[Shady]

Maybe Burleson? His defense is weak but ok for a backup at first base. Other than DH no other spot for him.

I believe that the premise of the OP is that Burleson is the regular starting first baseman, not a backup.

Agree, but that's a problem if Burly is your #1. Bad memories of other Dr. Stonegloves at 1B like Jose Martinez, Pedro Guerrero and Greg Jefferies.

But as others have said, the starter at 1B, much less the back-up, is only one of a myriad of problems.

from what I saw, Burleson was actually quite good with the glove there. Martinez and Guerrero were brutal

Burley had only 356 innings at 1b last year (38 starts), and the results weren't good (-3 DRS, which put him 31st among 41 players with more than 350 innings).

Specifically, what was Burleson so bad at, defensively, at first base?

He has poor range, a 0 arm, and I'll add a non-stat: not very athletic. I'll admit that he hasn't played there much, so it's hard to have reliable stats (i.e. SSS).

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of his range and arm. To each their own. The Cardinals seem to be confidant enough in him to make him their starting first baseman. That actually says a lot.

They don't really have other options. It's not that they are confident. It will probably be a rotation of Herrera, Burleson, and maybe Gorman. None of whom are good defensively currently. Burleson is ok when the ball is hit at him, but he has zero range and an average to below average arm. He needs more experience there to determine if he can start picking balls in the dirt better to aid his infielders.

Burleson has been more than adequate at picking balls out of the dirt. And I can't believe a former D1 pitcher has "an average to below average arm" for 1B. Yes, the Cardinals are confident in Burleson as their starting 1B, defensively.

I'm just stating i don't think he's very good right now, but i think he can improve with more experience. I think the cardinals find Herrera will not be an everyday catcher for 162, so he, burleson, and sometimes gorman break up time at first base. We obviously don't have a star at any position on the field (masyn winn is good, not a star) so every position is wide open to who is playing best at any given time

Right now, I don't see there being a rotation at 1B. Unless Herrera doesn't cut it at catcher. And there's a shortage in outfield production. Then maybe Herrera gets some pt at !B and Burly moves to LF. What's more realistic is Herrera, eventually, becoming the main DH.

[Adam2]

Maybe Burleson? His defense is weak but ok for a backup at first base. Other than DH no other spot for him.

I believe that the premise of the OP is that Burleson is the regular starting first baseman, not a backup.

Agree, but that's a problem if Burly is your #1. Bad memories of other Dr. Stonegloves at 1B like Jose Martinez, Pedro Guerrero and Greg Jefferies.

But as others have said, the starter at 1B, much less the back-up, is only one of a myriad of problems.

from what I saw, Burleson was actually quite good with the glove there. Martinez and Guerrero were brutal

Burley had only 356 innings at 1b last year (38 starts), and the results weren't good (-3 DRS, which put him 31st among 41 players with more than 350 innings).

Specifically, what was Burleson so bad at, defensively, at first base?

He has poor range, a 0 arm, and I'll add a non-stat: not very athletic. I'll admit that he hasn't played there much, so it's hard to have reliable stats (i.e. SSS).

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of his range and arm. To each their own. The Cardinals seem to be confidant enough in him to make him their starting first baseman. That actually says a lot.

They don't really have other options. It's not that they are confident. It will probably be a rotation of Herrera, Burleson, and maybe Gorman. None of whom are good defensively currently. Burleson is ok when the ball is hit at him, but he has zero range and an average to below average arm. He needs more experience there to determine if he can start picking balls in the dirt better to aid his infielders.

Burleson has been more than adequate at picking balls out of the dirt. And I can't believe a former D1 pitcher has "an average to below average arm" for 1B. Yes, the Cardinals are confident in Burleson as their starting 1B, defensively.

I'm just stating i don't think he's very good right now, but i think he can improve with more experience. I think the cardinals find Herrera will not be an everyday catcher for 162, so he, burleson, and sometimes gorman break up time at first base. We obviously don't have a star at any position on the field (masyn winn is good, not a star) so every position is wide open to who is playing best at any given time

Right now, I don't see there being a rotation at 1B. Unless Herrera doesn't cut it at catcher. And there's a shortage in outfield production. Then maybe Herrera gets some pt at !B and Burly moves to LF. What's more realistic is Herrera, eventually, becoming the main DH.

I personally would like to see Burleson at 1B. I think he will get better and become serviceable. I do not want to see Alec in the outfield. He's just too slow. If he's in left and Walker is in right (obviously nootbaar is on the IL) then Victor Scott will be dead from exhaustion by May having to cover the entire outfield.

[Shady]

I believe that the premise of the OP is that Burleson is the regular starting first baseman, not a backup.

Agree, but that's a problem if Burly is your #1. Bad memories of other Dr. Stonegloves at 1B like Jose Martinez, Pedro Guerrero and Greg Jefferies.

But as others have said, the starter at 1B, much less the back-up, is only one of a myriad of problems.

from what I saw, Burleson was actually quite good with the glove there. Martinez and Guerrero were brutal

Burley had only 356 innings at 1b last year (38 starts), and the results weren't good (-3 DRS, which put him 31st among 41 players with more than 350 innings).

Specifically, what was Burleson so bad at, defensively, at first base?

He has poor range, a 0 arm, and I'll add a non-stat: not very athletic. I'll admit that he hasn't played there much, so it's hard to have reliable stats (i.e. SSS).

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of his range and arm. To each their own. The Cardinals seem to be confidant enough in him to make him their starting first baseman. That actually says a lot.

They don't really have other options. It's not that they are confident. It will probably be a rotation of Herrera, Burleson, and maybe Gorman. None of whom are good defensively currently. Burleson is ok when the ball is hit at him, but he has zero range and an average to below average arm. He needs more experience there to determine if he can start picking balls in the dirt better to aid his infielders.

Burleson has been more than adequate at picking balls out of the dirt. And I can't believe a former D1 pitcher has "an average to below average arm" for 1B. Yes, the Cardinals are confident in Burleson as their starting 1B, defensively.

I'm just stating i don't think he's very good right now, but i think he can improve with more experience. I think the cardinals find Herrera will not be an everyday catcher for 162, so he, burleson, and sometimes gorman break up time at first base. We obviously don't have a star at any position on the field (masyn winn is good, not a star) so every position is wide open to who is playing best at any given time

Right now, I don't see there being a rotation at 1B. Unless Herrera doesn't cut it at catcher. And there's a shortage in outfield production. Then maybe Herrera gets some pt at !B and Burly moves to LF. What's more realistic is Herrera, eventually, becoming the main DH.

I personally would like to see Burleson at 1B. I think he will get better and become serviceable. I do not want to see Alec in the outfield. He's just too slow. If he's in left and Walker is in right (obviously nootbaar is on the IL) then Victor Scott will be dead from exhaustion by May having to cover the entire outfield.

I agree. 1B is the best spot for Burleson.

[Adam2]

Agree, but that's a problem if Burly is your #1. Bad memories of other Dr. Stonegloves at 1B like Jose Martinez, Pedro Guerrero and Greg Jefferies.

But as others have said, the starter at 1B, much less the back-up, is only one of a myriad of problems.

from what I saw, Burleson was actually quite good with the glove there. Martinez and Guerrero were brutal

Burley had only 356 innings at 1b last year (38 starts), and the results weren't good (-3 DRS, which put him 31st among 41 players with more than 350 innings).

Specifically, what was Burleson so bad at, defensively, at first base?

He has poor range, a 0 arm, and I'll add a non-stat: not very athletic. I'll admit that he hasn't played there much, so it's hard to have reliable stats (i.e. SSS).

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of his range and arm. To each their own. The Cardinals seem to be confidant enough in him to make him their starting first baseman. That actually says a lot.

They don't really have other options. It's not that they are confident. It will probably be a rotation of Herrera, Burleson, and maybe Gorman. None of whom are good defensively currently. Burleson is ok when the ball is hit at him, but he has zero range and an average to below average arm. He needs more experience there to determine if he can start picking balls in the dirt better to aid his infielders.

Burleson has been more than adequate at picking balls out of the dirt. And I can't believe a former D1 pitcher has "an average to below average arm" for 1B. Yes, the Cardinals are confident in Burleson as their starting 1B, defensively.

I'm just stating i don't think he's very good right now, but i think he can improve with more experience. I think the cardinals find Herrera will not be an everyday catcher for 162, so he, burleson, and sometimes gorman break up time at first base. We obviously don't have a star at any position on the field (masyn winn is good, not a star) so every position is wide open to who is playing best at any given time

Right now, I don't see there being a rotation at 1B. Unless Herrera doesn't cut it at catcher. And there's a shortage in outfield production. Then maybe Herrera gets some pt at !B and Burly moves to LF. What's more realistic is Herrera, eventually, becoming the main DH.

I personally would like to see Burleson at 1B. I think he will get better and become serviceable. I do not want to see Alec in the outfield. He's just too slow. If he's in left and Walker is in right (obviously nootbaar is on the IL) then Victor Scott will be dead from exhaustion by May having to cover the entire outfield.

I agree. 1B is the spot for Burleson.

If he has another solid year, say .285, 22HR and an OPS of .800 i think he gets an extension. He's a Bloom type guy, Bloom hasn't really relied on superstars, he likes a good number of not stars, but above average players which Burleson could fit that profile

with donovan gone, there should be some money available to extend the next wave

[NYCardsFan]

I personally would like to see Burleson at 1B. I think he will get better and become serviceable. I do not want to see Alec in the outfield. He's just too slow. If he's in left and Walker is in right (obviously nootbaar is on the IL) then Victor Scott will be dead from exhaustion by May having to cover the entire outfield.

I agree. 1B is the spot for Burleson.

That’s strange. You previously assured us that Burleson was a “fine defensive outfielder.” “An Edman-type player with good speed.”

[Shady]

from what I saw, Burleson was actually quite good with the glove there. Martinez and Guerrero were brutal

Burley had only 356 innings at 1b last year (38 starts), and the results weren't good (-3 DRS, which put him 31st among 41 players with more than 350 innings).

Specifically, what was Burleson so bad at, defensively, at first base?

He has poor range, a 0 arm, and I'll add a non-stat: not very athletic. I'll admit that he hasn't played there much, so it's hard to have reliable stats (i.e. SSS).

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of his range and arm. To each their own. The Cardinals seem to be confidant enough in him to make him their starting first baseman. That actually says a lot.

They don't really have other options. It's not that they are confident. It will probably be a rotation of Herrera, Burleson, and maybe Gorman. None of whom are good defensively currently. Burleson is ok when the ball is hit at him, but he has zero range and an average to below average arm. He needs more experience there to determine if he can start picking balls in the dirt better to aid his infielders.

Burleson has been more than adequate at picking balls out of the dirt. And I can't believe a former D1 pitcher has "an average to below average arm" for 1B. Yes, the Cardinals are confident in Burleson as their starting 1B, defensively.

I'm just stating i don't think he's very good right now, but i think he can improve with more experience. I think the cardinals find Herrera will not be an everyday catcher for 162, so he, burleson, and sometimes gorman break up time at first base. We obviously don't have a star at any position on the field (masyn winn is good, not a star) so every position is wide open to who is playing best at any given time

Right now, I don't see there being a rotation at 1B. Unless Herrera doesn't cut it at catcher. And there's a shortage in outfield production. Then maybe Herrera gets some pt at !B and Burly moves to LF. What's more realistic is Herrera, eventually, becoming the main DH.

I personally would like to see Burleson at 1B. I think he will get better and become serviceable. I do not want to see Alec in the outfield. He's just too slow. If he's in left and Walker is in right (obviously nootbaar is on the IL) then Victor Scott will be dead from exhaustion by May having to cover the entire outfield.

I agree. 1B is the spot for Burleson.

If he has another solid year, say .285, 22HR and an OPS of .800 i think he gets an extension. He's a Bloom type guy, Bloom hasn't really relied on superstars, he likes a good number of not stars, but above average players which Burleson could fit that profile

with donovan gone, there should be some money available to extend the next wave

Those are reasonable offensive numbers for Burleson. And if he proves to be a reliable defensive 1B, an extension may be in order.