1) C/DH Ivan Herrera
2) C Pedro Pages
3) C Jimmy Crooks or Yohel Pozo
4) 1B/OF Alec Burleson
5) 2B JJ Wetherholt
6) SS Masyn Winn
7) 3B Nolan Gorman IF Ramon Urias
9) IF-OF Thomas Saggese
10) LF Lars Nootbar (IL) Jose Fermin or Nelson Velzquez
11) CF Victor Scott II
12) RF Jordan Walker
13) OF Nathan Church
It seems like the Cardinals will need to carry 3 catchers if we are counting Herrera as a catcher. The question becomes- is it Crooks or Pozo? I give the edge to Crooks because if Bernal is promoted to AAA, it will be easier to get him playing time there if he is sharing with Pozo.
Spot #10 will belong to Nootbaar when he is ready. Until then it looks like the competition is between Fermin and Velazquez. I give the edge to Fermin as he has no more minor league options remaining. It would be easier to slip Velazquez through waivers than Jose.
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:03 pm
1) C/DH Ivan Herrera
2) C Pedro Pages
3) C Jimmy Crooks or Yohel Pozo
4) 1B/OF Alec Burleson
5) 2B JJ Wetherholt
6) SS Masyn Winn
7) 3B Nolan Gorman IF Ramon Urias
9) IF-OF Thomas Saggese
10) LF Lars Nootbar (IL) Jose Fermin or Nelson Velzquez
11) CF Victor Scott II
12) RF Jordan Walker
13) OF Nathan Church
It seems like the Cardinals will need to carry 3 catchers if we are counting Herrera as a catcher. The question becomes- is it Crooks or Pozo? I give the edge to Crooks because if Bernal is promoted to AAA, it will be easier to get him playing time there if he is sharing with Pozo.
Spot #10 will belong to Nootbaar when he is ready. Until then it looks like the competition is between Fermin and Velazquez. I give the edge to Fermin as he has no more minor league options remaining. It would be easier to slip Velazquez through waivers than Jose.
What say you?
If Hererra is a C, then we don’t have a starting DH.
If Hererra is a DH, then we will have a poor hitting C. I hope Bernal is the real deal and can arrive soon.
It definitely seems to be set. The only issue I have is with the idea of IH returning to catching. I think the team is just doing him and his agent a favor by letting them say he’ll be back behind the plate. I don’t think they have any intention of him catching once the season starts.
He’s way too good of a hitter, and way too poor of a catcher, to have him do anything but DH every day. His wRC+ projection of 128 is easily the highest projection on the team. With so many other young hitters trying to establish themselves offensively, they need him in the lineup every day as the fulcrum the rest of the lineup can work around.
Having said that, I’d like to see Crooks and Pages in a straight platoon. That leaves Bernal starting at AAA with Pozo as his backup.
IndCard75 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:57 pm
I think to start the season they will still consider Crooks a prospect and want him to play every day. That means he will start the year at AAA.
Fermin, like you said, is out of options so he is on the big league club on opening day.
My opening day roster prediction is..
C Pages
1B Burly
2B JW
SS Winn
3B Gorman
RF Walker
CF Scott
LF Church
DH Herrera
Bench
C 1B Pozo
IF Urias
Util Fermin No option
Util Sagesse
This is why I really don’t understand the Urias signing. He gives us 3 very similar players.
IL Noot
Urias has a GG right? Maybe if Hererra becomes C then Urias is starting 3B and Gorman is DH.
pitchingandefense wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 19:29 pm
It definitely seems to be set. The only issue I have is with the idea of IH returning to catching. I think the team is just doing him and his agent a favor by letting them say he’ll be back behind the plate. I don’t think they have any intention of him catching once the season starts.
He’s way too good of a hitter, and way too poor of a catcher, to have him do anything but DH every day. His wRC+ projection of 128 is easily the highest projection on the team. With so many other young hitters trying to establish themselves offensively, they need him in the lineup every day as the fulcrum the rest of the lineup can work around.
Having said that, I’d like to see Crooks and Pages in a straight platoon. That leaves Bernal starting at AAA with Pozo as his backup.
I kind of see this set up too. I listed him as a catcher because that is the way the Cardinals are talking about it, but the idea that he will not be is why you need two other catchers on the roster. As I've said in many other threads for about a year now, I hope he becomes the LF. If they move him to 1B, so be it. I just don't want him as a full-time DH only player.
IndCard75 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:57 pm
I think to start the season they will still consider Crooks a prospect and want him to play every day. That means he will start the year at AAA.
Fermin, like you said, is out of options so he is on the big league club on opening day.
My opening day roster prediction is..
C Pages
1B Burly
2B JW
SS Winn
3B Gorman
RF Walker
CF Scott
LF Church
DH Herrera
Bench
C 1B Pozo
IF Urias
Util Fermin No option
Util Sagesse
This is why I really don’t understand the Urias signing. He gives us 3 very similar players.
IL Noot
Urias has a GG right? Maybe if Hererra becomes C then Urias is starting 3B and Gorman is DH.
You're right. If (HUGE IF) Urias hits, at all, it would be stupid not to play him at 3B and DH Gorman. Support the pitching staff with the best infield D possible.
pitchingandefense wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 19:29 pm
It definitely seems to be set. The only issue I have is with the idea of IH returning to catching. I think the team is just doing him and his agent a favor by letting them say he’ll be back behind the plate. I don’t think they have any intention of him catching once the season starts.
He’s way too good of a hitter, and way too poor of a catcher, to have him do anything but DH every day. His wRC+ projection of 128 is easily the highest projection on the team. With so many other young hitters trying to establish themselves offensively, they need him in the lineup every day as the fulcrum the rest of the lineup can work around.
Having said that, I’d like to see Crooks and Pages in a straight platoon. That leaves Bernal starting at AAA with Pozo as his backup.
I kind of see this set up too. I listed him as a catcher because that is the way the Cardinals are talking about it, but the idea that he will not be is why you need two other catchers on the roster. As I've said in many other threads for about a year now, I hope he becomes the LF. If they move him to 1B, so be it. I just don't want him as a full-time DH only player.
If he could play LF adequately, it would solve a lot of roster issues for 2026 and beyond. I guess we’ll see if they send him to the outfield this spring. But I also don’t have a problem with them writing him down as the DH for the next 5 years. Whatever they decide, catching should be eliminated from the decision making process.
pitchingandefense wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 19:29 pm
It definitely seems to be set. The only issue I have is with the idea of IH returning to catching. I think the team is just doing him and his agent a favor by letting them say he’ll be back behind the plate. I don’t think they have any intention of him catching once the season starts.
He’s way too good of a hitter, and way too poor of a catcher, to have him do anything but DH every day. His wRC+ projection of 128 is easily the highest projection on the team. With so many other young hitters trying to establish themselves offensively, they need him in the lineup every day as the fulcrum the rest of the lineup can work around.
Having said that, I’d like to see Crooks and Pages in a straight platoon. That leaves Bernal starting at AAA with Pozo as his backup.
agree on your Herrera analysis .. His bat plays at DH spot .. too iffy to trust him behind the plate plus he should hit better (at DH) since no mental pressures on him playing catcher .. Just sit on bench and concentrate on hitting
IndCard75 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:57 pm
I think to start the season they will still consider Crooks a prospect and want him to play every day. That means he will start the year at AAA.
Fermin, like you said, is out of options so he is on the big league club on opening day.
My opening day roster prediction is..
C Pages
1B Burly
2B JW
SS Winn
3B Gorman
RF Walker
CF Scott
LF Church
DH Herrera
Bench
C 1B Pozo
IF Urias
Util Fermin No option
Util Sagesse
This is why I really don’t understand the Urias signing. He gives us 3 very similar players.
IL Noot
Urias has a GG right? Maybe if Hererra becomes C then Urias is starting 3B and Gorman is DH.
Yes, Urias won GG at 3B in 2022. I can definitely see that happening some.
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:03 pm
1) C/DH Ivan Herrera
2) C Pedro Pages
3) C Jimmy Crooks or Yohel Pozo
4) 1B/OF Alec Burleson
5) 2B JJ Wetherholt
6) SS Masyn Winn
7) 3B Nolan Gorman IF Ramon Urias
9) IF-OF Thomas Saggese
10) LF Lars Nootbar (IL) Jose Fermin or Nelson Velzquez
11) CF Victor Scott II
12) RF Jordan Walker
13) OF Nathan Church
It seems like the Cardinals will need to carry 3 catchers if we are counting Herrera as a catcher. The question becomes- is it Crooks or Pozo? I give the edge to Crooks because if Bernal is promoted to AAA, it will be easier to get him playing time there if he is sharing with Pozo.
Spot #10 will belong to Nootbaar when he is ready. Until then it looks like the competition is between Fermin and Velazquez. I give the edge to Fermin as he has no more minor league options remaining. It would be easier to slip Velazquez through waivers than Jose.
What say you?
3 or 2.5 catchers happen when there isn't one. I see it as a mistake that has probability of happening.
I'd keep #3 in Memphis for it mucks up a roster.
If Fermin is improbable to get through waivers deal him. Saggese could be sent down too and the Urias signing
suggest that one of Saggese or Fermin is in some jeopardy especially with 3 catchers or 2.5 catchers. Valazquez
represents what the Cards need. IF he shows that in ST he may force a hand to keep him.
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:03 pm
1) C/DH Ivan Herrera
2) C Pedro Pages
3) C Jimmy Crooks or Yohel Pozo
4) 1B/OF Alec Burleson
5) 2B JJ Wetherholt
6) SS Masyn Winn
7) 3B Nolan Gorman IF Ramon Urias
9) IF-OF Thomas Saggese
10) LF Lars Nootbar (IL) Jose Fermin or Nelson Velzquez
11) CF Victor Scott II
12) RF Jordan Walker
13) OF Nathan Church
It seems like the Cardinals will need to carry 3 catchers if we are counting Herrera as a catcher. The question becomes- is it Crooks or Pozo? I give the edge to Crooks because if Bernal is promoted to AAA, it will be easier to get him playing time there if he is sharing with Pozo.
Spot #10 will belong to Nootbaar when he is ready. Until then it looks like the competition is between Fermin and Velazquez. I give the edge to Fermin as he has no more minor league options remaining. It would be easier to slip Velazquez through waivers than Jose.
What say you?
Even on a deep down in ya rebuild, 90 percent of the roster is set after the WS is played.
That don’t seem like a rebuild. More like a farm reset.
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:03 pm
1) C/DH Ivan Herrera
2) C Pedro Pages
3) C Jimmy Crooks or Yohel Pozo
4) 1B/OF Alec Burleson
5) 2B JJ Wetherholt
6) SS Masyn Winn
7) 3B Nolan Gorman IF Ramon Urias
9) IF-OF Thomas Saggese
10) LF Lars Nootbar (IL) Jose Fermin or Nelson Velzquez
11) CF Victor Scott II
12) RF Jordan Walker
13) OF Nathan Church
It seems like the Cardinals will need to carry 3 catchers if we are counting Herrera as a catcher. The question becomes- is it Crooks or Pozo? I give the edge to Crooks because if Bernal is promoted to AAA, it will be easier to get him playing time there if he is sharing with Pozo.
Spot #10 will belong to Nootbaar when he is ready. Until then it looks like the competition is between Fermin and Velazquez. I give the edge to Fermin as he has no more minor league options remaining. It would be easier to slip Velazquez through waivers than Jose.
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:03 pm
1) C/DH Ivan Herrera
2) C Pedro Pages
3) C Jimmy Crooks or Yohel Pozo
4) 1B/OF Alec Burleson
5) 2B JJ Wetherholt
6) SS Masyn Winn
7) 3B Nolan Gorman IF Ramon Urias
9) IF-OF Thomas Saggese
10) LF Lars Nootbar (IL) Jose Fermin or Nelson Velzquez
11) CF Victor Scott II
12) RF Jordan Walker
13) OF Nathan Church
It seems like the Cardinals will need to carry 3 catchers if we are counting Herrera as a catcher. The question becomes- is it Crooks or Pozo? I give the edge to Crooks because if Bernal is promoted to AAA, it will be easier to get him playing time there if he is sharing with Pozo.
Spot #10 will belong to Nootbaar when he is ready. Until then it looks like the competition is between Fermin and Velazquez. I give the edge to Fermin as he has no more minor league options remaining. It would be easier to slip Velazquez through waivers than Jose.
What say you?
I didn’t know Urias was GG at third. I like it.
I told you all this angst about Gorman’s glove is overblown. If he’s a butcher at 3b, he will stop playing 3b…Or at least play it sporadically…
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:03 pm
1) C/DH Ivan Herrera
2) C Pedro Pages
3) C Jimmy Crooks or Yohel Pozo
4) 1B/OF Alec Burleson
5) 2B JJ Wetherholt
6) SS Masyn Winn
7) 3B Nolan Gorman IF Ramon Urias
9) IF-OF Thomas Saggese
10) LF Lars Nootbar (IL) Jose Fermin or Nelson Velzquez
11) CF Victor Scott II
12) RF Jordan Walker
13) OF Nathan Church
It seems like the Cardinals will need to carry 3 catchers if we are counting Herrera as a catcher. The question becomes- is it Crooks or Pozo? I give the edge to Crooks because if Bernal is promoted to AAA, it will be easier to get him playing time there if he is sharing with Pozo.
Spot #10 will belong to Nootbaar when he is ready. Until then it looks like the competition is between Fermin and Velazquez. I give the edge to Fermin as he has no more minor league options remaining. It would be easier to slip Velazquez through waivers than Jose.
What say you?
I didn’t know Urias was GG at third. I like it.
I told you all this angst about Gorman’s glove is overblown. If he’s a butcher at 3b, he will stop playing 3b…Or at least play it sporadically…
If he butchers it, why play it at all. As for the angst, yes, I think he is over matched at third. In fact, I’d bet he’d make a league level first baseman. Plus when he hits, it fills a corner sufficiently.
But I see your point. Why worry about fielding with a GG at that position on the team.
IF Ramon Urias