Why not lock up JJ Walker Scott and Winn.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Good morning.

Crazy idea of the day. Missed April Fools by a day. Still loony.

Why do I extend these four.

I’m sold on JJ. He only will get more expensive. Walker is a mess. But he’d come cheap. And it’s a gamble. A risk. Just like signing a bunch of broken power arms.

Scott. Defense plays. And it’s the all important up the middle position.

Winn. Glove and arm will play. Hits better than Maxvill but not as good as Edgar.

By signing these guys, you assume risk. The floor is a mediocre hitting strong defensive player. The ceiling is a top of league caliber player.

Build an instant core. As Matt Mitch mentioned, these low ball extensions are not disaster heavy for the team.

You lock them up cheap, this allows monies towards bigger bats.

Hey. Those bright diamonds once were stone.

[alw80]

Definitely wouldn't want to tie myself to Scott and would be hesitant to do the same with Winn.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Definitely wouldn't want to tie myself to Scott and would be hesitant to do the same with Winn.

JJ is almost a given. So let’s focus on Scott Winn Walker.

Winn- will probably be a .240 hitter with 10 ish home runs. Classic short stop numbers. His D is good for the extension.

Walker- so much left in his tank. Getting better, not yet there, in right. Has the arm. Learning the angles. If he hits, you know the deal.

Scott- again defense trumps. And plays. Pitchers friend.

The advantage is they all come cheap now. Industry low. Budget level.

If they don’t work, you lose little if the do, you make out. It’s a gamble.

[alw80]

Definitely wouldn't want to tie myself to Scott and would be hesitant to do the same with Winn.

JJ is almost a given. So let’s focus on Scott Winn Walker.

Winn- will probably be a .240 hitter with 10 ish home runs. Classic short stop numbers. His D is good for the extension.

Walker- so much left in his tank. Getting better, not yet there, in right. Has the arm. Learning the angles. If he hits, you know the deal.

Scott- again defense trumps. And plays. Pitchers friend.

The advantage is they all come cheap now. Industry low. Budget level.

If they don’t work, you lose little if the do, you make out. It’s a gamble.

I really hate paying for defense only especially two guys.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Definitely wouldn't want to tie myself to Scott and would be hesitant to do the same with Winn.

JJ is almost a given. So let’s focus on Scott Winn Walker.

Winn- will probably be a .240 hitter with 10 ish home runs. Classic short stop numbers. His D is good for the extension.

Walker- so much left in his tank. Getting better, not yet there, in right. Has the arm. Learning the angles. If he hits, you know the deal.

Scott- again defense trumps. And plays. Pitchers friend.

The advantage is they all come cheap now. Industry low. Budget level.

If they don’t work, you lose little if the do, you make out. It’s a gamble.

I really hate paying for defense only especially two guys.

That’s true. Would be certainly on two. But you’re not paying a fortune. Their offensive limitations hold down the cost. You lock up the defensive anchors, hope they contribute offensively, and spend big on left field, third base. The lock up saves is money.

[mattmitchl44]

You could do worse that locking up two guys in Winn and Scott who at least have high floors based on their well above average defense at two premium defensive positions (SS, CF).

As poorly as Scott hit in 2025, he was still a 1.7 fWAR player. Winn was 3.6 and 3.5 fWAR the past two seasons.

You always need to get a deal done at the right price, but it's not crazy to think about it.

[sikeston bulldog2]

You could do worse that locking up two guys in Winn and Scott who at least have high floors based on their well above average defense at two premium defensive positions (SS, CF).

As poorly as Scott hit in 2025, he was still a 1.7 fWAR player. Winn was 3.6 and 3.5 fWAR the past two seasons.

You always need to get a deal done at the right price, but it's not crazy to think about it.

You got me thinking. I’m thinking you extend these guys now, and based on performance, it shouldn’t be outrages. Per player. As you mentioned, if one fails it’s not a disaster contract; that’s a high floor assessment. However, if the blossom any, you win on that particular contract.

You save money now and buy later.

[alw80]

You could do worse that locking up two guys in Winn and Scott who at least have high floors based on their well above average defense at two premium defensive positions (SS, CF).

As poorly as Scott hit in 2025, he was still a 1.7 fWAR player. Winn was 3.6 and 3.5 fWAR the past two seasons.

You always need to get a deal done at the right price, but it's not crazy to think about it.

You got me thinking. I’m thinking you extend these guys now, and based on performance, it shouldn’t be outrages. Per player. As you mentioned, if one fails it’s not a disaster contract; that’s a high floor assessment. However, if the blossom any, you win on that particular contract.

You save money now and buy later.

The rest of your team better be stacked if you're going to punt offense at two positions like that.

[sikeston bulldog2]

You could do worse that locking up two guys in Winn and Scott who at least have high floors based on their well above average defense at two premium defensive positions (SS, CF).

As poorly as Scott hit in 2025, he was still a 1.7 fWAR player. Winn was 3.6 and 3.5 fWAR the past two seasons.

You always need to get a deal done at the right price, but it's not crazy to think about it.

You got me thinking. I’m thinking you extend these guys now, and based on performance, it shouldn’t be outrages. Per player. As you mentioned, if one fails it’s not a disaster contract; that’s a high floor assessment. However, if the blossom any, you win on that particular contract.

You save money now and buy later.

The rest of your team better be stacked if you're going to punt offense at two positions like that.

That’s the point. Stud defenders at the critical game changing positions. If they hit, great. But your not paying stack the rest with saved. Obie’s from budget contract extensions now.

[mattmitchl44]

You could do worse that locking up two guys in Winn and Scott who at least have high floors based on their well above average defense at two premium defensive positions (SS, CF).

As poorly as Scott hit in 2025, he was still a 1.7 fWAR player. Winn was 3.6 and 3.5 fWAR the past two seasons.

You always need to get a deal done at the right price, but it's not crazy to think about it.

You got me thinking. I’m thinking you extend these guys now, and based on performance, it shouldn’t be outrages. Per player. As you mentioned, if one fails it’s not a disaster contract; that’s a high floor assessment. However, if the blossom any, you win on that particular contract.

You save money now and buy later.

Yeah, I mean with Scott you're probably offering him like $5-$6 million AAV for 5 or 6 years.

[sikeston bulldog2]

You could do worse that locking up two guys in Winn and Scott who at least have high floors based on their well above average defense at two premium defensive positions (SS, CF).

As poorly as Scott hit in 2025, he was still a 1.7 fWAR player. Winn was 3.6 and 3.5 fWAR the past two seasons.

You always need to get a deal done at the right price, but it's not crazy to think about it.

You got me thinking. I’m thinking you extend these guys now, and based on performance, it shouldn’t be outrages. Per player. As you mentioned, if one fails it’s not a disaster contract; that’s a high floor assessment. However, if the blossom any, you win on that particular contract.

You save money now and buy later.

Yeah, I mean with Scott you're probably offering him like $5-$6 million AAV for 5 or 6 years.

Walker Winn Scott 5-8 AAV for 5-8 years. At worse 24 M tied up in the three. Per year x years.

[StlMike1969]

No and No some more. The only reason guys like JJ are getting early deals are because they have excelled all the way up the ladder in a very short time. JJ was an accomplished college athlete before being drafted. He has lived up to the hype in most regards and anyone looking can see he has the tools to stick around. He is for sure someone that will cost 25+ mill a year in 5 years or so. These other guys on other teams are the same case for the most part. For sure, tested athletes showing 5 tool prospect skills.

There is no way you lock up guys like Walker, Winn and Scott early until they put together a solid 2 years or more in a row. None of those 3 has been able to do that. Once you start handing out those deals you now got in place and contracted players that when they suck you cannot move because money is tied to them. We just got out of that system with the Arenado's and Gray's on this team. A couple of good games does not qualify a career. I am not sold on any one of the 3 at this point personally. Let's see what they are doing on the backside of the lockout in 27 first.

[The Nard]

Lock in those players that you’d want to be the core of the team for the next 5-6 years. I’m not sure that any qualify yet - too early. The only player from last season that I wanted to extend has been traded.

If you build a classic “ strong defense up the middle - sluggers at the corners” team , then yes, Winn and Scott , and maybe even Wetherholt- should be considered. But the other factor is , who is waiting in the wings to play those positions?

[sikeston bulldog2]

No and No some more. The only reason guys like JJ are getting early deals are because they have excelled all the way up the ladder in a very short time. JJ was an accomplished college athlete before being drafted. He has lived up to the hype in most regards and anyone looking can see he has the tools to stick around. He is for sure someone that will cost 25+ mill a year in 5 years or so. These other guys on other teams are the same case for the most part. For sure, tested athletes showing 5 tool prospect skills.

There is no way you lock up guys like Walker, Winn and Scott early until they put together a solid 2 years or more in a row. None of those 3 has been able to do that. Once you start handing out those deals you now got in place and contracted players that when they suck you cannot move because money is tied to them. We just got out of that system with the Arenado's and Gray's on this team. A couple of good games does not qualify a career. I am not sold on any one of the 3 at this point personally. Let's see what they are doing on the backside of the lockout in 27 first.

Fine write. Two other ways this could go. One or more blossom and we can no longer afford them. Or they play it out an we determine then.

Of course, these two ideas require a period of performance to assist the assessment.

The proposed idea, mine, doesn’t take that into account. It’s a risky gamble/

Also, these two ideas monies saved here, goes to purchase the 2-3 players needed to dominate.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Lock in those players that you’d want to be the core of the team for the next 5-6 years. I’m not sure that any qualify yet - too early. The only player from last season that I wanted to extend has been traded.

If you build a classic “ strong defense up the middle - sluggers at the corners” team , then yes, Winn and Scott , and maybe even Wetherholt- should be considered. But the other factor is , who is waiting in the wings to play those positions?

That’s my point. You save money now buy buying on these guys in a lull; the saved money then gets you the bats we need. That’s how we afford them.

[Jatalk]

Good morning.

Crazy idea of the day. Missed April Fools by a day. Still loony.

Why do I extend these four.

I’m sold on JJ. He only will get more expensive. Walker is a mess. But he’d come cheap. And it’s a gamble. A risk. Just like signing a bunch of broken power arms.

Scott. Defense plays. And it’s the all important up the middle position.

Winn. Glove and arm will play. Hits better than Maxvill but not as good as Edgar.

By signing these guys, you assume risk. The floor is a mediocre hitting strong defensive player. The ceiling is a top of league caliber player.

Build an instant core. As Matt Mitch mentioned, these low ball extensions are not disaster heavy for the team.

You lock them up cheap, this allows monies towards bigger bats.

Hey. Those bright diamonds once were stone.

Not going to argue about JJ. I wouldn’t do it but I understand the argument.

Walker. Yes he would be cheap meaning he probably wouldn’t want to extend thinking he will improve but honestly he would be the last player I would extend.

Scott???? I want to see consistent offense so I wouldn’t but he is solid in the field. And we have had center fielders with not much pop. But I would wait.

Winn is interesting and I’m a little confused on his contract status. I read one article projecting him at a value of $250 million. I assume ten years. That sounds high unless his bat improves but I would definitely discuss extension. Again I’m a little confused on his status.

It was not long ago people wanted to extend him but he was hitting then. Not sure what consensus is now.