Where will Nootbaar best fit into the Cardinals lineup?

[OldRed]

I don't think he fits in at all.

[Jatalk]

Before seeing how effective the JJW - Herrera 1/2 combo were I thought for sure Noot would slide into either the lead-off spot (JJW/#2) or behind JJW in the #2 spot.

But no way I mess w/that now even though I don't like Herrera in the #2 hole.

For now:

JJW/2nd
Herrera/DH
Burly/1B
Walker/RF
Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
Noot/LF
Pages/C
Church/CF

I like your for now lineup but if Noot hits I would like to at least try 1 Noot 2JJ 3Walker 4 Burley 5 IH.

Trust me jt, that was my original thought I put on here during the winter.

But JJW/Herrera have just been so darn good and w/ the offense if humming I'm not messing w/it for Noot who will (likely) be gone late June/July.

Rethinking my position. I agree he should be traded. I’m not a huge fan. My initial thinking, where was the best spot to showcase him. Certainly him leading off in a productive way would add value but two things I should have considered more closely:

1. Why mess with the winning JJ/IH combination. It works.
2. Even if Noot is a productive lead off how much does that really increase his value? May not be a real needle mover. His injury history is a trade liability.


Also frankly I’m having to much fun watching this team. I’m smelling a wild card spot. We can rebuild and have a decent team at the same time.

[rockondlouie]

Before seeing how effective the JJW - Herrera 1/2 combo were I thought for sure Noot would slide into either the lead-off spot (JJW/#2) or behind JJW in the #2 spot.

But no way I mess w/that now even though I don't like Herrera in the #2 hole.

For now:

JJW/2nd
Herrera/DH
Burly/1B
Walker/RF
Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
Noot/LF
Pages/C
Church/CF

I like your for now lineup but if Noot hits I would like to at least try 1 Noot 2JJ 3Walker 4 Burley 5 IH.

Trust me jt, that was my original thought I put on here during the winter.

But JJW/Herrera have just been so darn good and w/ the offense if humming I'm not messing w/it for Noot who will (likely) be gone late June/July.

He needs to stay on the bus. Forget about us. There ain’t no yellow ribbons round the old oak tree.

Noot back is going to be a huge boost to the offense BDog as he'll send the noodle bat (and arm) of VSII to the bench!

I can't wait for his return.

[ecleme22]

Probably the bottom third?

[rockondlouie]

Before seeing how effective the JJW - Herrera 1/2 combo were I thought for sure Noot would slide into either the lead-off spot (JJW/#2) or behind JJW in the #2 spot.

But no way I mess w/that now even though I don't like Herrera in the #2 hole.

For now:

JJW/2nd
Herrera/DH
Burly/1B
Walker/RF
Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
Noot/LF
Pages/C
Church/CF

I like your for now lineup but if Noot hits I would like to at least try 1 Noot 2JJ 3Walker 4 Burley 5 IH.

Trust me jt, that was my original thought I put on here during the winter.

But JJW/Herrera have just been so darn good and w/ the offense if humming I'm not messing w/it for Noot who will (likely) be gone late June/July.

Rethinking my position. I agree he should be traded. I’m not a huge fan. My initial thinking, where was the best spot to showcase him. Certainly him leading off in a productive way would add value but two things I should have considered more closely:

1. Why mess with the winning JJ/IH combination. It works.
2. Even if Noot is a productive lead off how much does that really increase his value? May not be a real needle mover. His injury history is a trade liability.


Also frankly I’m having to much fun watching this team. I’m smelling a wild card spot. We can rebuild and have a decent team at the same time.

I like Noot, my only problem (of course) has been his injuries.

Did you see my "alternative" lineup suggestion?

In it I slotted Noot in the #9 hole, thus creating that second lead-off man!

And I'm there too, this is a very fun team to watch.

I posted this all winter when the air in here was so negative that:

C. Bloom is perfectly capable of walking (re-building & re-stocking the minor league system--done) and chewing gum (still build a competitive team)!

I must've posted that to mattmitch alone a hundred times.

And how many times did you see me post this:

2026 Team > 2025 Team

The heck w/a WC I say win the NLC!

[Talkin' Baseball]

Before seeing how effective the JJW - Herrera 1/2 combo were I thought for sure Noot would slide into either the lead-off spot (JJW/#2) or behind JJW in the #2 spot.

But no way I mess w/that now even though I don't like Herrera in the #2 hole.

For now:

JJW/2nd
Herrera/DH
Burly/1B
Walker/RF
Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
Noot/LF
Pages/C
Church/CF

I like your for now lineup but if Noot hits I would like to at least try 1 Noot 2JJ 3Walker 4 Burley 5 IH.

Trust me jt, that was my original thought I put on here during the winter.

But JJW/Herrera have just been so darn good and w/ the offense if humming I'm not messing w/it for Noot who will (likely) be gone late June/July.

Rethinking my position. I agree he should be traded. I’m not a huge fan. My initial thinking, where was the best spot to showcase him. Certainly him leading off in a productive way would add value but two things I should have considered more closely:

1. Why mess with the winning JJ/IH combination. It works.
2. Even if Noot is a productive lead off how much does that really increase his value? May not be a real needle mover. His injury history is a trade liability.


Also frankly I’m having to much fun watching this team. I’m smelling a wild card spot. We can rebuild and have a decent team at the same time.

I like Noot, my only problem (of course) has been his injuries.

Did you see my "alternative" lineup suggestion?

In it I slotted Noot in the #9 hole, thus creating that second lead-off man!

And I'm there too, this is a very fun team to watch.

I posted this all winter when the air in here was so negative that:

C. Bloom is perfectly capable of walking (re-building & re-stocking the minor league system--done) and chewing gum (still build a competitive team)!

I must've posted that to mattmitch alone a hundred times.

And how many times did you see me post this:

2026 Team > 2025 Team

The heck w/a WC I say win the NLC!

I admire your optimism. Regardless of how this turns out- this is better baseball and this team is fun to watch. Better things are coming.

[Adam2]

Now that the Cardinals have proven to be very competitive. This seems to be more than just a rebuild going on. If the pitching holds up the Cardinals could be in the thick of things. And Nootbaar should help down the stretch with his experience.

stop bumping your own threads

[Jatalk]

Before seeing how effective the JJW - Herrera 1/2 combo were I thought for sure Noot would slide into either the lead-off spot (JJW/#2) or behind JJW in the #2 spot.

But no way I mess w/that now even though I don't like Herrera in the #2 hole.

For now:

JJW/2nd
Herrera/DH
Burly/1B
Walker/RF
Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
Noot/LF
Pages/C
Church/CF

I like your for now lineup but if Noot hits I would like to at least try 1 Noot 2JJ 3Walker 4 Burley 5 IH.

Trust me jt, that was my original thought I put on here during the winter.

But JJW/Herrera have just been so darn good and w/ the offense if humming I'm not messing w/it for Noot who will (likely) be gone late June/July.

Rethinking my position. I agree he should be traded. I’m not a huge fan. My initial thinking, where was the best spot to showcase him. Certainly him leading off in a productive way would add value but two things I should have considered more closely:

1. Why mess with the winning JJ/IH combination. It works.
2. Even if Noot is a productive lead off how much does that really increase his value? May not be a real needle mover. His injury history is a trade liability.


Also frankly I’m having to much fun watching this team. I’m smelling a wild card spot. We can rebuild and have a decent team at the same time.

I like Noot, my only problem (of course) has been his injuries.

Did you see my "alternative" lineup suggestion?

In it I slotted Noot in the #9 hole, thus creating that second lead-off man!

And I'm there too, this is a very fun team to watch.

I posted this all winter when the air in here was so negative that:

C. Bloom is perfectly capable of walking (re-building & re-stocking the minor league system--done) and chewing gum (still build a competitive team)!

I must've posted that to mattmitch alone a hundred times.

And how many times did you see me post this:

2026 Team > 2025 Team

The heck w/a WC I say win the NLC!

An interesting question if this team makes the playoffs, how does that impact the rebuild? I am ignoring obvious holes in bullpen but for the non pitching roster. Many only want to see players do well to increase their trade value. They are locked in on a rebuild over several years. But I would refocus on maybe extending a couple of the young guys( I am generally against extensions) and maybe add a deeper bench and a power bat in the outfield. I guess I’m saying add to the core we have. And of course improve bull pen.

[imyourhuckleberry]

Before seeing how effective the JJW - Herrera 1/2 combo were I thought for sure Noot would slide into either the lead-off spot (JJW/#2) or behind JJW in the #2 spot.

But no way I mess w/that now even though I don't like Herrera in the #2 hole.

For now:

JJW/2nd
Herrera/DH
Burly/1B
Walker/RF
Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
Noot/LF
Pages/C
Church/CF

I like your for now lineup but if Noot hits I would like to at least try 1 Noot 2JJ 3Walker 4 Burley 5 IH.

Trust me jt, that was my original thought I put on here during the winter.

But JJW/Herrera have just been so darn good and w/ the offense if humming I'm not messing w/it for Noot who will (likely) be gone late June/July.

Rethinking my position. I agree he should be traded. I’m not a huge fan. My initial thinking, where was the best spot to showcase him. Certainly him leading off in a productive way would add value but two things I should have considered more closely:

1. Why mess with the winning JJ/IH combination. It works.
2. Even if Noot is a productive lead off how much does that really increase his value? May not be a real needle mover. His injury history is a trade liability.


Also frankly I’m having to much fun watching this team. I’m smelling a wild card spot. We can rebuild and have a decent team at the same time.

I like Noot, my only problem (of course) has been his injuries.

Did you see my "alternative" lineup suggestion?

In it I slotted Noot in the #9 hole, thus creating that second lead-off man!

And I'm there too, this is a very fun team to watch.

I posted this all winter when the air in here was so negative that:

C. Bloom is perfectly capable of walking (re-building & re-stocking the minor league system--done) and chewing gum (still build a competitive team)!

I must've posted that to mattmitch alone a hundred times.

And how many times did you see me post this:

2026 Team > 2025 Team

The heck w/a WC I say win the NLC!

An interesting question if this team makes the playoffs, how does that impact the rebuild? I am ignoring obvious holes in bullpen but for the non pitching roster. Many only want to see players do well to increase their trade value. They are locked in on a rebuild over several years. But I would refocus on maybe extending a couple of the young guys( I am generally against extensions) and maybe add a deeper bench and a power bat in the outfield. I guess I’m saying add to the core we have. And of course improve bull pen.

It shouldn't impact the re-build at all. IMO, Bloom won't move any young asset (majors or minors) he considers to be part of the post-lockout future if the club. Anyone else can be moved for the right price.

[mattmitchl44]

I might go:

1. Wetherholt - 2B
2. Herrera - C/DH
3. Burleson - 1B
4. Walker - RF
5. Nootbaar - LF
6. Gorman - 3B
7. Pages - C (or a DH if Herrera catching)
8. Church - CF
9. Winn - SS

Moving Winn down to "second leadoff" position with his .352 OBP would be better than Scott's .237.

[rockondlouie]

Before seeing how effective the JJW - Herrera 1/2 combo were I thought for sure Noot would slide into either the lead-off spot (JJW/#2) or behind JJW in the #2 spot.

But no way I mess w/that now even though I don't like Herrera in the #2 hole.

For now:

JJW/2nd
Herrera/DH
Burly/1B
Walker/RF
Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
Noot/LF
Pages/C
Church/CF

I like your for now lineup but if Noot hits I would like to at least try 1 Noot 2JJ 3Walker 4 Burley 5 IH.

Trust me jt, that was my original thought I put on here during the winter.

But JJW/Herrera have just been so darn good and w/ the offense if humming I'm not messing w/it for Noot who will (likely) be gone late June/July.

Rethinking my position. I agree he should be traded. I’m not a huge fan. My initial thinking, where was the best spot to showcase him. Certainly him leading off in a productive way would add value but two things I should have considered more closely:

1. Why mess with the winning JJ/IH combination. It works.
2. Even if Noot is a productive lead off how much does that really increase his value? May not be a real needle mover. His injury history is a trade liability.


Also frankly I’m having to much fun watching this team. I’m smelling a wild card spot. We can rebuild and have a decent team at the same time.

I like Noot, my only problem (of course) has been his injuries.

Did you see my "alternative" lineup suggestion?

In it I slotted Noot in the #9 hole, thus creating that second lead-off man!

And I'm there too, this is a very fun team to watch.

I posted this all winter when the air in here was so negative that:

C. Bloom is perfectly capable of walking (re-building & re-stocking the minor league system--done) and chewing gum (still build a competitive team)!

I must've posted that to mattmitch alone a hundred times.

And how many times did you see me post this:

2026 Team > 2025 Team

The heck w/a WC I say win the NLC!

I admire your optimism. Regardless of how this turns out- this is better baseball and this team is fun to watch. Better things are coming.

Thx TB

And you're spot on, we can see already better things are indeed coming!

[rockondlouie]

Before seeing how effective the JJW - Herrera 1/2 combo were I thought for sure Noot would slide into either the lead-off spot (JJW/#2) or behind JJW in the #2 spot.

But no way I mess w/that now even though I don't like Herrera in the #2 hole.

For now:

JJW/2nd
Herrera/DH
Burly/1B
Walker/RF
Gorman/3B
Winn/SS
Noot/LF
Pages/C
Church/CF

I like your for now lineup but if Noot hits I would like to at least try 1 Noot 2JJ 3Walker 4 Burley 5 IH.

Trust me jt, that was my original thought I put on here during the winter.

But JJW/Herrera have just been so darn good and w/ the offense if humming I'm not messing w/it for Noot who will (likely) be gone late June/July.

Rethinking my position. I agree he should be traded. I’m not a huge fan. My initial thinking, where was the best spot to showcase him. Certainly him leading off in a productive way would add value but two things I should have considered more closely:

1. Why mess with the winning JJ/IH combination. It works.
2. Even if Noot is a productive lead off how much does that really increase his value? May not be a real needle mover. His injury history is a trade liability.


Also frankly I’m having to much fun watching this team. I’m smelling a wild card spot. We can rebuild and have a decent team at the same time.

I like Noot, my only problem (of course) has been his injuries.

Did you see my "alternative" lineup suggestion?

In it I slotted Noot in the #9 hole, thus creating that second lead-off man!

And I'm there too, this is a very fun team to watch.

I posted this all winter when the air in here was so negative that:

C. Bloom is perfectly capable of walking (re-building & re-stocking the minor league system--done) and chewing gum (still build a competitive team)!

I must've posted that to mattmitch alone a hundred times.

And how many times did you see me post this:

2026 Team > 2025 Team

The heck w/a WC I say win the NLC!

An interesting question if this team makes the playoffs, how does that impact the rebuild? I am ignoring obvious holes in bullpen but for the non pitching roster. Many only want to see players do well to increase their trade value. They are locked in on a rebuild over several years. But I would refocus on maybe extending a couple of the young guys( I am generally against extensions) and maybe add a deeper bench and a power bat in the outfield. I guess I’m saying add to the core we have. And of course improve bull pen.

I don't see C. Bloom veering from his goal and that's to build this team back to being a consistent playoff contender like we were for years, he won't abandon his L-T plan.

But I would love to see him scoop up a low cost (re: minimal prospect) reliever or two to replace the stiffs in the pen'.

You won't see him bringing in any "veteran" position players, likely not a starting pitcher either.

He will trade D. May (has too given May has an opt out so if he keeps pitching well he certainly will use it), Noot too and likely JoJo (who would want Stanek unless he has a dramatic turnaround?).

As for extensions (and we're on the same page), JJW is the one young player I'd lock in L-T ASAP.

At seasons end if J. Walker has put up a solid season (.800+ OPS), then I'd also address him too.

[10CWilliams]

Right next to Oli?