Herrera would like to return to catching

[Shady]

I am curious as to the Cardinals plans at catcher. Bernal might be the best of the bunch, all around.

[scoutyjones2]

I am curious as to the Cardinals plans at catcher. Bernal might be the best of the bunch, all around.

No one gives a [shirt] about your curiosity

[IndCard75]

No doubt Herrera struggled bad as a catcher but if he could improve to at least be good enough to catch part time, say 60 games, and hit like he was earlier in the season that would really help the team in other areas. For example then you could put Gorman at DH so he’s not making throwing errors from 3B.
Personally I’m not a huge fan of Herrera in the OF. We already have Walker Scott Burly Noot and Donovan(assuming Wetherholt is 2B next year)potentially playing OF. I would tell Herrera to learn 1B in off season. Him or Gorman goes to 1B when Contreras is gone.
Hopefully Bloom is able to construct a better roster this offseason.

[Barrys_head]

Let's stick with catchers that don't hit their weight.

[scoutyjones2]

No doubt Herrera struggled bad as a catcher but if he could improve to at least be good enough to catch part time, say 60 games, and hit like he was earlier in the season that would really help the team in other areas. For example then you could put Gorman at DH so he’s not making throwing errors from 3B.
Personally I’m not a huge fan of Herrera in the OF. We already have Walker Scott Burly Noot and Donovan(assuming Wetherholt is 2B next year)potentially playing OF. I would tell Herrera to learn 1B in off season. Him or Gorman goes to 1B when Contreras is gone.
Hopefully Bloom is able to construct a better roster this offseason.

He can't do either...hit like he did for a brief moment, or catch good enough part time

[cardstatman]

Despite the wisdom of the echo chamber that we call CardsTalk, I won't be surprised to see Herrera do more catching in the future.

If he can be adequate at catcher, he makes the lineup so much better... assuming we have another guy who hits well at DH.

Not all teams run and even the best average one stolen base per game. Many successful stolen bases are stolen off the pitcher, rather than the catcher.

I don't see him as the primary catcher though. I'm pretty sure the Cards have won more than half the games where he has been the catcher for the majority of the innings so we can't pretend he's been causing the Cards to lose games. If he's a backup catcher, you could simply not use him when you are playing the best running teams.

Also, it is clear that Pallante, Fedde, King, Lynn, Fernandez, VerHagen, Kittridge were awful at keeping runners from getting running starts. Maybe they needed to up their part of the game or be ousted.

I don't understand why a forum that tolerates the defense of Gorman, Walker, Burleson can't stand the thought of Herrera at catcher for some innings. He's no Molina but he's adequate at everything except throwing out base stealers. The Cards also play in a division of running teams; The Brewers, Reds, and Cubs are 3 of the top 5 teams in MLB in stolen bases over the past few years.

I think the group think that Herrera can't catch is more about the prospect hype of Crooks and Bernal and the desire to clear out a path for them.

[BrockFloodMaris]

Source?

He has mentioned in recent interviews that he still wants to catch, and he still wants to be considered a catcher. He follows that up by stating he will play where he is asked and will do anything to help the team.

Speaking from a defensive aspect, he's probably not one of the top 5 catchers in the organization.

The reason he is DHing and playing LF is that he’s not a very good catcher. If he works his tail off in the offseason and comes to ST 2026 and beats out the other catchers, then he can start at catcher. It’s a fairly simple equation.

He did that all last off season and it failed. He struggles at framing and throwing. He supposedly worked with an arm strength coach last off season and it became worse. He’s done as a C. DH only

Ok. I believe you. I just don’t recall the story. I wonder why he thinks it’s still a good idea to keep pursuing a catcher job. I guess it has better job security than DH.

[bfib]

I would like him to as well but he can’t [fork]ing throw

His bat would be great for catcher. It’s average to slightly above any other position he can “play”

[Cardinals4Life]

That guy can forget everything being a starting catcher. His defense is terrible back there. Even oli understands this.

Apparently, Herrera himself does not understand it.
And that is very troublesome as it shows a shocking lack of awareness and great ignorance on his part.
It also very much calls into question his commitment and dedication to learning a new position.
"Me first."
Clearly has been paying attention to Wainwright, Molina, Arenado, Nootbaar, and others.
TOXIC CULTURE.

They actually said that he was told he was not catching the remainder of the year to protect him with his health concerns he had. They said Marmol and the Cardinals haven't ruled him returning to C next year and he would still like to.

[Cardinals4Life]

Despite the wisdom of the echo chamber that we call CardsTalk, I won't be surprised to see Herrera do more catching in the future.

If he can be adequate at catcher, he makes the lineup so much better... assuming we have another guy who hits well at DH.

Not all teams run and even the best average one stolen base per game. Many successful stolen bases are stolen off the pitcher, rather than the catcher.

I don't see him as the primary catcher though. I'm pretty sure the Cards have won more than half the games where he has been the catcher for the majority of the innings so we can't pretend he's been causing the Cards to lose games. If he's a backup catcher, you could simply not use him when you are playing the best running teams.

Also, it is clear that Pallante, Fedde, King, Lynn, Fernandez, VerHagen, Kittridge were awful at keeping runners from getting running starts. Maybe they needed to up their part of the game or be ousted.

I don't understand why a forum that tolerates the defense of Gorman, Walker, Burleson can't stand the thought of Herrera at catcher for some innings. He's no Molina but he's adequate at everything except throwing out base stealers. The Cards also play in a division of running teams; The Brewers, Reds, and Cubs are 3 of the top 5 teams in MLB in stolen bases over the past few years.

I think the group think that Herrera can't catch is more about the prospect hype of Crooks and Bernal and the desire to clear out a path for them.

Excellent post!!

I agree. The thought on here seems to be that the C combo next year will be some combo of Crooks /Pages/Pozo. Perhaps we would be better with a Crooks/Herrera combo. Split the C duties however you like, but keep him in the lineup on days when he isn't catching. This opens up the DH spot some.

Personally, I feel like Herrera should not be counted out as the primary C. I have watched him for years and think he offers a lot back there, particularly in his leadership abilities.

Ultimately will be interesting to see which way the Cards decide to go. One thing I do know is that if the Cards do plan on him being in the catching mix in the future, they are doing the club a huge disservice by not letting him catch now to really see what we have in him. We don't need to spend ANOTHER year waiting to find out if he is a big league catcher or not!

[Jobu's Rum]

Nooooooooooooooo way in h e l l he's going to be the catcher in 2026 w/Crooks, Bernal etc....... coming fast.

He's either going to learn how to play the OF or be a DH.

And he also better worry about his hitting, which has slipped since he returned on 7/13:

142 PA's
.242 .326 .306 .633

+1

Looking like that power surge early was a mirage. He def. needs to remember how to hit

[tubastarr]

I’m wondering how he progressed all the way through the minor league system as a catcher and got promoted to the major league team as a catcher when he is so poor at the position. THEN they try him in the outfield at the major league level? Is this another example of the mess the Cardinals’ organization has become?

[scoutyjones2]

I’m wondering how he progressed all the way through the minor league system as a catcher and got promoted to the major league team as a catcher when he is so poor at the position. THEN they try him in the outfield at the major league level? Is this another example of the mess the Cardinals’ organization has become?

Rule changes...2 throws over, larger bases. Slow to the plate pitchers. Did it in the minors.

His defense was always suspect
Especially his arm.

[Wattage]

No doubt Herrera struggled bad as a catcher but if he could improve to at least be good enough to catch part time, say 60 games, and hit like he was earlier in the season that would really help the team in other areas. For example then you could put Gorman at DH so he’s not making throwing errors from 3B.
Personally I’m not a huge fan of Herrera in the OF. We already have Walker Scott Burly Noot and Donovan(assuming Wetherholt is 2B next year)potentially playing OF. I would tell Herrera to learn 1B in off season. Him or Gorman goes to 1B when Contreras is gone.
Hopefully Bloom is able to construct a better roster this offseason.

Herrera has played 1b a few games over his career through minots and majors unlike outfield which is complete new to him as he hadnt played it since at least like age 14 so 1b probably wouldnt be that hard for him in comparison. But contreras has 2 more years. And burleson likely moves to 1b when contreras is gone

As far as all those outfielders, some might be moved, donovan might be needed at 3b, and i dont think walkers done anything that suggests his spot is secure

[Bomber1]

I’m wondering how he progressed all the way through the minor league system as a catcher and got promoted to the major league team as a catcher when he is so poor at the position. THEN they try him in the outfield at the major league level? Is this another example of the mess the Cardinals’ organization has become?

Yes.

But with the Village Idiot gone in about 5 weeks there is a path to cleaning up the mess.

[Melville]

That guy can forget everything being a starting catcher. His defense is terrible back there. Even oli understands this.

Apparently, Herrera himself does not understand it.
And that is very troublesome as it shows a shocking lack of awareness and great ignorance on his part.
It also very much calls into question his commitment and dedication to learning a new position.
"Me first."
Clearly has been paying attention to Wainwright, Molina, Arenado, Nootbaar, and others.
TOXIC CULTURE.

They actually said that he was told he was not catching the remainder of the year to protect him with his health concerns he had. They said Marmol and the Cardinals haven't ruled him returning to C next year and he would still like to.

That was indeed part of the propaganda.
He could catch right now as part of a 3 man rotation with no threat to his "health".
He is horrendous behind the plate.
The only health threat is getting a teammate injured.
He is done as a catcher and the organization knows it.
That he isn't smart enough to see that is a real problem.