Weatherholt at CF?

[Monsieur De Treville]

Scott is great on defense but iffy on offense. Chase Davis is stalling at AA in CF so I'm wondering if JJ should get a look in CF. When he's ready to come up he will be blocked at 2b with Donovan and Saggese waiting and with Arenado and/or Gorman at third and Winn at SS it seems like we either trade to make space for him or find another spot for him. We know he can play 2b, SS and third. I'd appreciate Craviduce and others weighing in on Weatherholt as a center fielder. Just a thought.

Why not Hurdy Gurdy in LF and JJ at second? Might just be the best double play combo we've had since Smith & Herr.

[Monsieur De Treville]

I have no idea if he can play CF, but he is settling in a AA with a .313 avg and .906 OPS if I read my stats correctly. If he keeps this up he will be in AAA. IF, and always a big IF, he can do that at AAA, then he will get a shot maybe as early as next season. They will certainly find somewhere for him to play. Not sure he is a CFer.. but who knows... I agree with BDog, I think he may well be at 3B..... Stormin Norman is not a good fielder....

We are solid with Willy Donovan Winn Pages Scott. Need a stud third baseman. A stud LF and a stud ToR.

move Donny to LF and JJ to 2nd

done

Two questions- one, can Donovan handle third defensively, and can JJ match Donovan at second. Or I leave Donovan and put Jj at third, less moving parts.

can he handle 3rd defensively? he has before, but my suggestion is to put him in LF. he's also done that before and ya leave JJ at 2nd. even more less moving parts

as far as JJ at 3rd, it was suggested earlier this year but some questioned him arm there long term. now, whether that's true or not, I dunno

Ok. I got it. If Donovan goes to left and JJ to second , assuming Nado is gone, who at third. My fix was lost Nado, needing a stud third baseman.

Norman Gorman

[Jatalk]

Get rid of Arenado and problem solved

they tried

Yep and I won’t get into my they should have played hard ball theory. I think he has the chance to be one of the most unpopular Cardinals ever. Huge contract. Dwindling offense. Never a team leader. No championships. Refuse trade to help team. Selfish.

[Cusecards]

I would leave JJ alone right now and just let him develop as an IF.
As he gets closer to being on the big club his position will take shape.
A lot could happen with Arenado, Gorman, etc before ST 2026.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Get rid of Arenado and problem solved

they tried

Yep and I won’t get into my they should have played hard ball theory. I think he has the chance to be one of the most unpopular Cardinals ever. Huge contract. Dwindling offense. Never a team leader. No championships. Refuse trade to help team. Selfish.

I'm not gonna go that far. we got him knowing the back end of the contract was gonna suck and so far it is. but we also got some good mileage from him. now playoffs... he's not the only one that has underachieved there, but that's a different story that's been beaten to death

[JuanAgosto]

Keep the kid in a position he's used to. Not every player needs to be moved around.

[rockondlouie]

I still think JJ is ticketed for 2nd base (Donny LF).

And can we please allow VSII his struggles at the plate like the vast majority of rookies do before they get settled in?

The kid is playing Gold Glove caliber defense in CF (+6 DRS/+7 OAA) so he's been an asset even as he struggles to learn ML pitchers.

Seems like a really smart kid, he'll make the adjustments.

Little patience
Need a little patience, yeah
Just a little patience, yeah
Some more patience

[IndCard75]

I believe Scott will remain the CF.
I also believe either Arenado or Gorman will be traded by the end of the year. Arenado contract is cheaper the next two years which might help moving him.
Donovan becomes a FA after 2027, correct?
Sagesse will just be a backup imo.
My 2027 line up
C Crooks Bernal
1B Herrera
2B JJ
SS Winn
3B Donovan
DH Gorman
RF Walker
CF Scott
LF Noot Burly Baez Davis Church lot of options

[JDW]

Noot RF
Winn SS
Donovan LF
Contreras 1B
Herrera DH
Wetherholt 3B
Sagesse 2B
Pages/Crooks C
VS2 CF

Just spitballing, who knows? Not me for sure. Walker could change this with a good 2nd half. I'm guessing Gorman gets traded, but he could also change it with a good 2nd half this season. This assumes Arenado finding a new home, which we also don't know.
Maybe as earlier suggested, Sagesse fits best as a utility, we haven't seen enough to take a hard stance.
Developing, fluid, too many ifs ............ that said I'm optimistic with the stable of position players the Cards have put together.

[Basil Shabazz]

I think "if" Donny and JJW end up as our 2B and 3B, that it'll be Donny at 3B and JJW at 2B.

Donny plays a really good 3B and I believe has a better arm.

[scoutyjones2]

Don't play musical chairs with players.

[JDW]

I think "if" Donny and JJW end up as our 2B and 3B, that it'll be Donny at 3B and JJW at 2B.

Donny plays a really good 3B and I believe has a better arm.

I think that'd be ideal if Walker can keep progressing as a RF'er.

[renostl]

I have no idea if he can play CF, but he is settling in a AA with a .313 avg and .906 OPS if I read my stats correctly. If he keeps this up he will be in AAA. IF, and always a big IF, he can do that at AAA, then he will get a shot maybe as early as next season. They will certainly find somewhere for him to play. Not sure he is a CFer.. but who knows... I agree with BDog, I think he may well be at 3B..... Stormin Norman is not a good fielder....

We are solid with Willy Donovan Winn Pages Scott. Need a stud third baseman. A stud LF and a stud ToR.

move Donny to LF and JJ to 2nd

done

Donovan is GG defense at second. Leave him alone.

Obviously we are all guessing and doing so with the current players.

I have doubts Donnie can be a Cardinal beyond 2027 and stay on the infield. That's the reason I'd have
him as a Steven Kwan in LF for the Cardinals. They are infield heavy near term.

I have doubts that they get absolute answers on both Walker and Gorman for 2026.

The OF can have the 4 players of BD, VS, JW, and LN providing a rotation.
The infield can have MW, WC, along with JJ, NG, NA and TS a full platoon, mix and match of
RH/LH bats without over reliance anywhere.

JMO.

[ramfandan]

It would be nice to see Donovan with the Cardinals for several more years but don't think that is a slam dunk. Many posters seem to think Donovan would be blocking JJ for 2nd base . Look closer though.

Depends on Bloom's thinking long term with Donovan. 'Donnie' has two more years of Arb. then becomes a free agent after 2027.
If he hasn't accepted a longer term deal, he may test the free agent market. For Bloom , he would have to decide .. Do I want to sign an age 30 year old guy to a multi- year deal ? Bloom's fallback plan if he passes would be to play JJ at 2nd base.
So where JJ plays ultimately seems is tied to what Cards do with Donovan's future .

[renostl]

It would be nice to see Donovan with the Cardinals for several more years but don't think that is a slam dunk. Many posters seem to think Donovan would be blocking JJ for 2nd base . Look closer though.

Depends on Bloom's thinking long term with Donovan. 'Donnie' has two more years of Arb. then becomes a free agent after 2027.
If he hasn't accepted a longer term deal, he may test the free agent market. For Bloom , he would have to decide .. Do I want to sign an age 30 year old guy to a multi- year deal ? Bloom's fallback plan if he passes would be to play JJ at 2nd base.
So where JJ plays ultimately seems is tied to what Cards do with Donovan's future .

I think BD and players like him have great value on all teams.
The Cards have not recently paid players like him nor or other teams
paying. A mistake IMO. Would signing him to a $12 million/yr type contract as a starting LF
work for both parties vs @ 2B/3B where the team has options with minimum wage and upside.

JJ can always go to 3B, his arm plays there. Saggese along with Gorman are also in the mix and could split 2B as
I haven't seen Saggese arm telling me he's 3B material. Gorman could back up both 2B and 3B.

[Monsieur De Treville]

I still think JJ is ticketed for 2nd base (Donny LF).

And can we please allow VSII his struggles at the plate like the vast majority of rookies do before they get settled in?

The kid is playing Gold Glove caliber defense in CF (+6 DRS/+7 OAA) so he's been an asset even as he struggles to learn ML pitchers.

Seems like a really smart kid, he'll make the adjustments.

Little patience
Need a little patience, yeah
Just a little patience, yeah
Some more patience

Agree 110%!