Wow, the Corners are a Problem: Gorman, Burly, Who's in LF, Walker in RF--How does Pitching Staff Overcome?

[Bully4you]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

[BrockFloodMaris]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

Your pessimism may become reality. OR, Burly, Gorman, Walker and Noot become at least league-average, which is just as feasible as your gray cloud prediction. I do agree with your skepticism around Herrera. He has no business being a starting catcher on an MLB team.

[alw80]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

One of Mos worst areas of his job was roster construction. He was mailing it in for years. Thanks Mo!

[ecleme22]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

Beginning of the 2022 season:
1. Pujols is done and just a tourist attraction.
2. The outfield, TO HB and DC, is set and will be here for years.
3. Gorman was the BIG prospect and Brendan Donovan was a nobody.


Just because Nolan Gorman is playing 3B the first day of ST means [shirt].

[rockondlouie]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

[hugeCardfan]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

Perhaps on his last leg is a bit melodramatic for a 23 year old.

[Basil Shabazz]

Take a deep breath and enjoy the rebuild ride.

The final version will look different from the starting version.

[rockondlouie]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

Perhaps on his last leg is a bit melodramatic for a 23 year old.

Not here

What's the definition of insanity?

Doing the same thing over & over again (running J. Walker out to RF) and expecting a different result.

Age has nothing to do with it, while a 2024-2025 slash line of .211 .270 .324 .595 does.

[redbirdfan51]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

Your pessimism may become reality. OR, Burly, Gorman, Walker and Noot become at least league-average, which is just as feasible as your gray cloud prediction. I do agree with your skepticism around Herrera. He has no business being a starting catcher on an MLB team.

Gorman will be an average 3B if he can overcome the throwing issues he had last season. Not too concerned about the other 3 corners but Herrera at catcher may be a concern.

[Talkin' Baseball]

You're right in pointing out that the corners need to be addressed. (This is true offensively as well, Burleson excepted) I get it that it's been a problem for awhile, but the idea that the new guy would have addressed everything satisfactorily in 4-5 months is absurd. Something is under construction here. No one is saying that it is built.

Defenses are built up the middle. The Cardinals will be a good-excellent team up the middle. If we could just defer the hyperventilation about Herrera catching until we actually see it be a thing (he might catch a few games), we might find there is not so much to worry about. Same with Burleson at 1B and whoever is in LF (maybe we can criticize Herrera, the LF?). They will be serviceable. As for Gorman and Walker- the next thing they show improvement on at the MLB level will be the first. I am rooting for them.

The defense doesn't concern me nearly as much as some other things. My biggest concern (by a wide margin) is the offense. My second concern is the number of innings provided by the starting rotation. I think the bullpen could be good, but they could get burnt out early.

[hugeCardfan]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

Perhaps on his last leg is a bit melodramatic for a 23 year old.

Not here

What's the definition of insanity?

Doing the same thing over & over again (running J. Walker out to RF) and expecting a different result.

Age has nothing to do with it, while a 2024-2025 slash line of .211 .270 .324 .595 does.

What does insanity have to do with developing ballplayers? We finally have an organization that is dedicated to turning raw skills into ML ready talent. As long as there is progress, we work with them until there isn't. If Walker responds to the coaching, he isn't on anybody's last leg...not yet. Look at the progress made with Baez. He's 22 and until last year there was no suggestion that he had a ML career in his future. We work with players until it's no longer viable. That's not, IMO, Walker yet.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

Perhaps on his last leg is a bit melodramatic for a 23 year old.

Not here

What's the definition of insanity?

Doing the same thing over & over again (running J. Walker out to RF) and expecting a different result.

Age has nothing to do with it, while a 2024-2025 slash line of .211 .270 .324 .595 does.

What does insanity have to do with developing ballplayers? We finally have an organization that is dedicated to turning raw skills into ML ready talent. As long as there is progress, we work with them until there isn't. If Walker responds to the coaching, he isn't on anybody's last leg...not yet. Look at the progress made with Baez. He's 22 and until last year there was no suggestion that he had a ML career in his future. We work with players until it's no longer viable. That's not, IMO, Walker yet.

Well said.

[Carp4Cy]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

Almost Every year in this century that the Cardinals have actually been good, We’ve had a Gold Glove caliber/MVP level bat at first base.

Burly being “fine” isn’t enough from such a core position.

[renostl]

You're right in pointing out that the corners need to be addressed. (This is true offensively as well, Burleson excepted) I get it that it's been a problem for awhile, but the idea that the new guy would have addressed everything satisfactorily in 4-5 months is absurd. Something is under construction here. No one is saying that it is built.

Defenses are built up the middle. The Cardinals will be a good-excellent team up the middle. If we could just defer the hyperventilation about Herrera catching until we actually see it be a thing (he might catch a few games), we might find there is not so much to worry about. Same with Burleson at 1B and whoever is in LF (maybe we can criticize Herrera, the LF?). They will be serviceable. As for Gorman and Walker- the next thing they show improvement on at the MLB level will be the first. I am rooting for them.

The defense doesn't concern me nearly as much as some other things. My biggest concern (by a wide margin) is the offense. My second concern is the number of innings provided by the starting rotation. I think the bullpen could be good, but they could get burnt out early.

We are this far down this road and do indeed need
to let it play out, and I hope it does, no half answers.

There is a solid point by the OP. The players are single dimensional. As such they
need to bring their calling cards. .800+ OPS are far more ideal and somewhere near
.750 is the minimal standard. .584, .666, .686, and .801 occupied those from last season.
The .801 exception even needs to bring more due to his profile. A slight increase in
his X/H% would go a long way, jmo.

It is one reason that I agree with Bdog with JJ at 3B if the need persists
on the corners. He's not as 1 dimensional and a adequate 2B can be found may even
already have one.

[rockondlouie]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

Perhaps on his last leg is a bit melodramatic for a 23 year old.

Not here

What's the definition of insanity?

Doing the same thing over & over again (running J. Walker out to RF) and expecting a different result.

Age has nothing to do with it, while a 2024-2025 slash line of .211 .270 .324 .595 does.

What does insanity have to do with developing ballplayers? We finally have an organization that is dedicated to turning raw skills into ML ready talent. As long as there is progress, we work with them until there isn't. If Walker responds to the coaching, he isn't on anybody's last leg...not yet. Look at the progress made with Baez. He's 22 and until last year there was no suggestion that he had a ML career in his future. We work with players until it's no longer viable. That's not, IMO, Walker yet.

MLB is NOT the place to develop players.

Walker has been a huge bust since year two.

He (and Gorman) are on their last leg here.

[woofy25]

This is a wild overstatement. Burleson will be fine at 1B. He just needs to make the routine play and dig the majority of the easier throws in the dirt. Noot will eventually be in LF. He's a good corner defender. Walker has gotten better and is about average with a continued expectation to improve. Gorman is not good at 3B. Herrera remains to be seen. SS, 2B, and CF are good. Also, it is unlikely that both Herrera catches and Gorman plays 3B long-term this season. It may start out that way, but one of them likely becomes the DH.

The Cardinals have far bigger concerns than their overall defense.