How long until there is some serious competition in RF?

[JuanAgosto]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Wasn't Walker in Memphis when the appendix flared up?

[The Nard]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Appendectomy is a 1-time procedure. If walker can hit, 140 games at least

[sikeston bulldog2]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Appendectomy is a 1-time procedure. If walker can hit, 140 games at least

If he can’t hit, then do we replace from inside. Do we continue to surround ourselves with ourselves, only to move back two squares.

Or.

Do we finally develop one, or do we trade for one.

[The Nard]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Appendectomy is a 1-time procedure. If walker can hit, 140 games at least

If he can’t hit, then do we replace from inside. Do we continue to surround ourselves with ourselves, only to move back two squares.

Or.

Do we finally develop one, or do we trade for one.

No team ever has entirely been developed from inside the organization. You always should seek a veteran from the outside, even if only a 1-year man, to stabilize a position that you seemingly can’t fill from inside. But the counter-argument is that 2026 is going to be a waste anyway. Nevertheless, I would have traded or signed a mid-level free agent to fill that position

[sikeston bulldog2]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Appendectomy is a 1-time procedure. If walker can hit, 140 games at least

If he can’t hit, then do we replace from inside. Do we continue to surround ourselves with ourselves, only to move back two squares.

Or.

Do we finally develop one, or do we trade for one.

No team ever has entirely been developed from inside the organization. You always should seek a veteran from the outside, even if only a 1-year man, to stabilize a position that you seemingly can’t fill from inside. But the counter-argument is that 2026 is going to be a waste anyway. Nevertheless, I would have traded or signed a mid-level free agent to fill that position

Nice input- thanx. You would have traded for one is interesting. Like who?

Meaning that Walker would have been a part of that trade, right.

[RamFan08NY]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Appendectomy is a 1-time procedure. If walker can hit, 140 games at least

If he can’t hit, then do we replace from inside. Do we continue to surround ourselves with ourselves, only to move back two squares.

Or.

Do we finally develop one, or do we trade for one.

That will be determined by performance. If any of the guys within are tearing it up, that changes their options. Guys like Ledbetter, Church, Velasquez, Baez, Saggese could surprise. It'd be nice if one or two of them forced his hand.

[sikeston bulldog2]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Appendectomy is a 1-time procedure. If walker can hit, 140 games at least

If he can’t hit, then do we replace from inside. Do we continue to surround ourselves with ourselves, only to move back two squares.

Or.

Do we finally develop one, or do we trade for one.

That will be determined by performance. If any of the guys within are tearing it up, that changes their options. Guys like Ledbetter, Church, Velasquez, Baez, Saggese could surprise. It'd be nice if one or two of them forced his hand.

Or.

What you might be saying is, if those guys you mentioned don’t force the hand, we are in deep.

[Jatalk]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Appendectomy is a 1-time procedure. If walker can hit, 140 games at least

If he can’t hit, then do we replace from inside. Do we continue to surround ourselves with ourselves, only to move back two squares.

Or.

Do we finally develop one, or do we trade for one.

Outfield development has been the weakest part of the cardinals system IMO. There are few replacements ready to play for Walker. Church maybe? Or move infielder to RF. Playing another player out of position. I really wish Bloom would have given us some better options.

[sikeston bulldog2]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Appendectomy is a 1-time procedure. If walker can hit, 140 games at least

If he can’t hit, then do we replace from inside. Do we continue to surround ourselves with ourselves, only to move back two squares.

Or.

Do we finally develop one, or do we trade for one.

Outfield development has been the weakest part of the cardinals system IMO. There are few replacements ready to play for Walker. Church maybe? Or move infielder to RF. Playing another player out of position. I really wish Bloom would have given us some better options.

I think the expectation is for Walker to hit, thus meeting the option. Like the pitching and infield, I feel an outfield saturation is next.

I think so much of that depends on Scott and Walker. Critical that we get a hint of advancement in both cases.

[RamFan08NY]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Appendectomy is a 1-time procedure. If walker can hit, 140 games at least

If he can’t hit, then do we replace from inside. Do we continue to surround ourselves with ourselves, only to move back two squares.

Or.

Do we finally develop one, or do we trade for one.

That will be determined by performance. If any of the guys within are tearing it up, that changes their options. Guys like Ledbetter, Church, Velasquez, Baez, Saggese could surprise. It'd be nice if one or two of them forced his hand.

Or.

What you might be saying is, if those guys you mentioned don’t force the hand, we are in deep.

Well, I think thats the case with all teams if their projected starters either struggle, or injured. Replacement is always a question.

[renostl]

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.

Wasn't Walker in Memphis when the appendix flared up?

His wrist injury happened at the end of May causing him to miss the first 2 weeks of June.
He was in every game with St. Louis from 6/14 through 6/22. His IL time for the appendix
was done on 6/25 and retro'd back to 6/23. He spent 14 games total in the minors.

[11WSChamps]

If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville, so if Walker continues to struggle going into July. What wou;d you do regarding the RF situaion? There don't appear to be many options.

I would do what I already would have done: trade for one.
Failing to do so was one of Bloom's 3 big mistakes so far (he has done several things well).

And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him.

I said that back in December and was proven to be right.

Partially right.
Bloom had plenty of expendable pieces to swing a trade for a young, cost controlled RH outfielder.
But his goal was to add some pitchers and some long-shot lottery position player pieces who are nowhere near being MLB ready and likely never will be.
Despite his rather disingenuous and utterly unserious feigned interest in adding a RH bat, you are correct that he clearly never intended any such thing.
But not for the reason you cited.
Rather, he intends to give Walker one more look - but is really just buying time to see if Baez or Herrera can "next man up" in the RH corner outfield hunt if and when JW fails again.

Uh I was talking about LF.

So my reasoning is sound.

Walker was always going to be given more runway.

[Melville]

If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville, so if Walker continues to struggle going into July. What wou;d you do regarding the RF situaion? There don't appear to be many options.

I would do what I already would have done: trade for one.
Failing to do so was one of Bloom's 3 big mistakes so far (he has done several things well).

And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him.

I said that back in December and was proven to be right.

Partially right.
Bloom had plenty of expendable pieces to swing a trade for a young, cost controlled RH outfielder.
But his goal was to add some pitchers and some long-shot lottery position player pieces who are nowhere near being MLB ready and likely never will be.
Despite his rather disingenuous and utterly unserious feigned interest in adding a RH bat, you are correct that he clearly never intended any such thing.
But not for the reason you cited.
Rather, he intends to give Walker one more look - but is really just buying time to see if Baez or Herrera can "next man up" in the RH corner outfield hunt if and when JW fails again.

Uh I was talking about LF.

So my reasoning is sound.

Walker was always going to be given more runway.

Same answer.
Your statement "And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him" is just half correct.
Correct in that Bloom was never serious about acquiring an outfielder (even though he feigned otherwise purely for propaganda reasons); incorrect in that the Cardinals very, very easily could have acquired one and indisputably had abundant resources through which to do so.
Bottom line: Bloom wanted to acquire pitchers and long-term long shots - with zero interest in acquiring a quality starting outfielder for 2026.
That is the reality, as proven by Bloom's behaviors.

[renostl]

If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville, so if Walker continues to struggle going into July. What wou;d you do regarding the RF situaion? There don't appear to be many options.

I would do what I already would have done: trade for one.
Failing to do so was one of Bloom's 3 big mistakes so far (he has done several things well).

And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him.

I said that back in December and was proven to be right.

Partially right.
Bloom had plenty of expendable pieces to swing a trade for a young, cost controlled RH outfielder.
But his goal was to add some pitchers and some long-shot lottery position player pieces who are nowhere near being MLB ready and likely never will be.
Despite his rather disingenuous and utterly unserious feigned interest in adding a RH bat, you are correct that he clearly never intended any such thing.
But not for the reason you cited.
Rather, he intends to give Walker one more look - but is really just buying time to see if Baez or Herrera can "next man up" in the RH corner outfield hunt if and when JW fails again.

Uh I was talking about LF.

So my reasoning is sound.

Walker was always going to be given more runway.

Same answer.
Your statement "And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him" is just half correct.
Correct in that Bloom was never serious about acquiring an outfielder (even though he feigned otherwise purely for propaganda reasons); incorrect in that the Cardinals very, very easily could have acquired one and indisputably had abundant resources through which to do so.
Bottom line: Bloom wanted to acquire pitchers and long-term long shots - with zero interest in acquiring a quality starting outfielder for 2026.
That is the reality, as proven by Bloom's behaviors.

The price point may have been his puke point.
A scenario where two things can exist.

He might be more inclined to spend resources on a specific need IF the
prize was good enough. IF that did not exist then take the highest return when in a season
that specific needs may be vaguer to himself than a couple of us fans that
have outfielder fatigue. Similar to taking the BPA in the draft instead of drafting
to need.

In the Donovan trade. What if Montes was offered and the group was not enamored
with his 34% SO profile. Besides there are more trades that could be made, there
always is.

[11WSChamps]

If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville, so if Walker continues to struggle going into July. What wou;d you do regarding the RF situaion? There don't appear to be many options.

I would do what I already would have done: trade for one.
Failing to do so was one of Bloom's 3 big mistakes so far (he has done several things well).

And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him.

I said that back in December and was proven to be right.

Partially right.
Bloom had plenty of expendable pieces to swing a trade for a young, cost controlled RH outfielder.
But his goal was to add some pitchers and some long-shot lottery position player pieces who are nowhere near being MLB ready and likely never will be.
Despite his rather disingenuous and utterly unserious feigned interest in adding a RH bat, you are correct that he clearly never intended any such thing.
But not for the reason you cited.
Rather, he intends to give Walker one more look - but is really just buying time to see if Baez or Herrera can "next man up" in the RH corner outfield hunt if and when JW fails again.

Uh I was talking about LF.

So my reasoning is sound.

Walker was always going to be given more runway.

Same answer.
Your statement "And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him" is just half correct.
Correct in that Bloom was never serious about acquiring an outfielder (even though he feigned otherwise purely for propaganda reasons); incorrect in that the Cardinals very, very easily could have acquired one and indisputably had abundant resources through which to do so.
Bottom line: Bloom wanted to acquire pitchers and long-term long shots - with zero interest in acquiring a quality starting outfielder for 2026.
That is the reality, as proven by Bloom's behaviors.

Two things.

Ultimately he did not trade for one so what I said cant be discounted.

What can't be said is he had the prospects willing to give up to get one.

He doesn't because he's not willing to trade a Wetherholt or a Doyle.

Otherwise who would qualify to bring back such an OFer?

[woofy25]

If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville, so if Walker continues to struggle going into July. What wou;d you do regarding the RF situaion? There don't appear to be many options.

I would do what I already would have done: trade for one.
Failing to do so was one of Bloom's 3 big mistakes so far (he has done several things well).

And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him.

I said that back in December and was proven to be right.

Partially right.
Bloom had plenty of expendable pieces to swing a trade for a young, cost controlled RH outfielder.
But his goal was to add some pitchers and some long-shot lottery position player pieces who are nowhere near being MLB ready and likely never will be.
Despite his rather disingenuous and utterly unserious feigned interest in adding a RH bat, you are correct that he clearly never intended any such thing.
But not for the reason you cited.
Rather, he intends to give Walker one more look - but is really just buying time to see if Baez or Herrera can "next man up" in the RH corner outfield hunt if and when JW fails again.

Uh I was talking about LF.

So my reasoning is sound.

Walker was always going to be given more runway.

Same answer.
Your statement "And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him" is just half correct.
Correct in that Bloom was never serious about acquiring an outfielder (even though he feigned otherwise purely for propaganda reasons); incorrect in that the Cardinals very, very easily could have acquired one and indisputably had abundant resources through which to do so.
Bottom line: Bloom wanted to acquire pitchers and long-term long shots - with zero interest in acquiring a quality starting outfielder for 2026.
That is the reality, as proven by Bloom's behaviors.

Which was the right move my bloom. There is no needle moving OFer available for what the cardinals were offering. Trading for a league average OFer makes as much sense as trading a 20 for two 10s. Maybe it helps with cash tips but there is no long term value to be gained, and long term is the only term to concern yourself with. Now, if he had traded for more prospect position players, then fine.