JJ Weatherholt- so many don’t understand why he isn’t being brought up

[Cardinals1964]

I keep seeing post after post complaining about the Cards not bringing up Weatherholt for a cup of coffee this year. I don’t think many of you have any understanding of the reasons why he isn’t being brought up. He obviously has done everything to prove that he deserves an opportunity, but Mo and or Bloom are doing the smart thing here. (I am no fan of Mo)

Currently he isn’t on the 40 man roster, and because of his status he isn’t eligible for the rule 5 draft and doesn’t need to be protected. If he is brought up to the majors, he will have to be added to the 40 man which will take another spot that the cards could use to protect another player from being picked off their roster through the rule 5 draft.

Also by not starting his service time until opening day they can actually push back his first year of arbitration until 2029. Saving the cards some payroll down the line. If they delay his debut until mid April, which I think they will, he won’t be eligible for arbitration until 2030 and pushes his free agency back an additional year. After 2032 season.

My money is on seeing JJ sometime in mid April of 2026.

I think this would be the smartest move the front office could make.

Since the team won’t have any real chance of competing in 2026, maybe wait for the year 2027 to save some money. And since it is likely that they will still not be any kind of real World Series contender in 2027, let’s not bring him up until 2028. Or since they probably won’t be really contending in 2028……..

[JuanAgosto]

First of all I think almost everyone understands the issue of the 40 man rule. Somewhat relevant to their decision? Maybe but looking at the 40 man roster it hardly seems to be an overriding issue. Surely they're not going to keep him in the minors until they have to (ye ads) add him or subject him to the rule 5 draft. We can surely agree on that.

If they lose a year of control then that's a very important issue. It's my understanding though if he comes up after 9/1 that's not an issue. Is that not correct?

It would seem if they don't lose a year of control the exposure he would get from playing in 20 plus games would be very important in his development. If he struggles somewhat then that might be even for the better. He'll know better what to work on in the offseason. It's not rushing him to give him that opportunity and learning experience. I assume he could still go to the Arizona fall League.

This isn't an issue anymore bakker since teams all over MLB now are signing their young stars to LT deals way before they reach their free agent walk season.

IF JJW is the player most seems to think he'll be, then he'll get locked down w/that LT deal.

Not bringing him up now is yet another idiotic Mo decision.

I think it's more of a Mo being a jackass situation. He knows the fans want to see Wetherholt and he's being a jerk about it. And I dont believe him sitting the day Bally's carried the Memphis game was a coincidence either. Just Mozeliak being spiteful.

[3dender]

I keep seeing post after post complaining about the Cards not bringing up Weatherholt for a cup of coffee this year. I don’t think many of you have any understanding of the reasons why he isn’t being brought up. He obviously has done everything to prove that he deserves an opportunity, but Mo and or Bloom are doing the smart thing here. (I am no fan of Mo)

Currently he isn’t on the 40 man roster, and because of his status he isn’t eligible for the rule 5 draft and doesn’t need to be protected. If he is brought up to the majors, he will have to be added to the 40 man which will take another spot that the cards could use to protect another player from being picked off their roster through the rule 5 draft.

Also by not starting his service time until opening day they can actually push back his first year of arbitration until 2029. Saving the cards some payroll down the line. If they delay his debut until mid April, which I think they will, he won’t be eligible for arbitration until 2030 and pushes his free agency back an additional year. After 2032 season.

My money is on seeing JJ sometime in mid April of 2026.

I think this would be the smartest move the front office could make.

The 40-man isn't actually an issue, there are plenty of people they can ditch and they only need to add like 7 or 8 guys.

The service time also isn't an issue, since by 2029 the org should already have extended JJ, or he will be so disappointing that he isn't even going to be making that much in arbitration.

I'd bet the main issue is that there simply aren't enough ABs for him unless one of Gorman/Saggese/Winn gets injured or demoted. Makes no sense to promote him to the bench. I'd consider demoting Saggese for him but I don't think there's any way Mo/Oli does that.

+1 on your reasoning, but I’d still bring him up, especially with Donovan on IL. Use Sagesse more at 3b and stop the Gorman experiment. Gorman should be a DH.

Burly is hurt now which may open up some ABs, but if he weren't there still wouldn't be enough ABs for both Gorman at DH and JJ at IF. Herrera and Burly both DH, while they all share with Noot and Walker in the OF. And we may disagree but imo Gorman has earned the ABs.

So still the only way JJ gets enough PT is if one more of the IFs get hurt or demoted.

[scoutyjones2]

40 man is a bull shildt excuse.

Immediate DFA's from the 40 man:

Fernandez
King
Robberse
Hampson
Siani
Roycroft
Munoz
Alcala
Veneziano

"Mid April"

NO CHANCE

He's the opening day 2nd baseman.

Exactly

[imetsatchelpaige]

I keep seeing post after post complaining about the Cards not bringing up Weatherholt for a cup of coffee this year. I don’t think many of you have any understanding of the reasons why he isn’t being brought up. He obviously has done everything to prove that he deserves an opportunity, but Mo and or Bloom are doing the smart thing here. (I am no fan of Mo)

Currently he isn’t on the 40 man roster, and because of his status he isn’t eligible for the rule 5 draft and doesn’t need to be protected. If he is brought up to the majors, he will have to be added to the 40 man which will take another spot that the cards could use to protect another player from being picked off their roster through the rule 5 draft.

Also by not starting his service time until opening day they can actually push back his first year of arbitration until 2029. Saving the cards some payroll down the line. If they delay his debut until mid April, which I think they will, he won’t be eligible for arbitration until 2030 and pushes his free agency back an additional year. After 2032 season.

My money is on seeing JJ sometime in mid April of 2026.

I think this would be the smartest move the front office could make.

Plenty of garbage on the 40 man, and not all that much worth protecting for Rule 5

He should have been up to start the year

Actually, we should have put him in a time machine and he could have been here when he was 12, and he could have grown into the position...

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Burly is hurt now which may open up some ABs, but if he weren't there still wouldn't be enough ABs for both Gorman at DH and JJ at IF. Herrera and Burly both DH, while they all share with Noot and Walker in the OF. And we may disagree but imo Gorman has earned the ABs.

So still the only way JJ gets enough PT is if one more of the IFs get hurt or demoted.

I don’t like it, but the ABs are the only excuse I can understand for not calling him up at this point. At least I get it. And I agree, Gorman needs ABs. Saggese needs them too, especially as a super utility guy. And Arenado will probably be back soon, complicating things further.

So I don’t like it, but I see the logic. I wish Mo would say that [shirt], though, instead of talking dumb [shirt] about protection years. He’ll make the team next year. And he’ll be fine. We’re going nowhere this season and not calling him up likely won’t hurt anything in the long run.

[3dender]

Burly is hurt now which may open up some ABs, but if he weren't there still wouldn't be enough ABs for both Gorman at DH and JJ at IF. Herrera and Burly both DH, while they all share with Noot and Walker in the OF. And we may disagree but imo Gorman has earned the ABs.

So still the only way JJ gets enough PT is if one more of the IFs get hurt or demoted.

I don’t like it, but the ABs are the only excuse I can understand for not calling him up at this point. At least I get it. And I agree, Gorman needs ABs. Saggese needs them too, especially as a super utility guy. And Arenado will probably be back soon, complicating things further.

So I don’t like it, but I see the logic. I wish Mo would say that [shirt], though, instead of talking dumb [shirt] about protection years. He’ll make the team next year. And he’ll be fine. We’re going nowhere this season and not calling him up likely won’t hurt anything in the long run.

Put it this way, I hope that's the reason

Personally I'd prefer they demote Saggese, not as punishment or anything but just bc I think the cup of coffee for JJ is valuable. And Saggese is firmly in the mix for next year, has gotten a good amount of experience already, so a few less weeks of ABs this year doesn't make a huge difference.

Of course I think there's like a 1% chance they do that, but a guy can dream...

[WaltsSuccessor]

Few things:
1. JJ Never played AAA before this year
2. Cards divested this season. Why waste a year of control on 2025?


See what Theo did with Kris Bryant in 2014.


Let’s be smart, ppl.

They don’t lose a year of control bringing him up this year. He’d hit FA the same as if he was the starting 2B opening day next season.

The Kris Bryant situation was the most blatant service time manipulation ever. Led to a grievance and the rules changing to promote prospects sooner. That’s not something to emulate.

[ClassicO]

Few things:
1. JJ Never played AAA before this year
2. Cards divested this season. Why waste a year of control on 2025?


See what Theo did with Kris Bryant in 2014.


Let’s be smart, ppl.

They don’t lose a year of control bringing him up this year. He’d hit FA the same as if he was the starting 2B opening day next season.

The Kris Bryant situation was the most blatant service time manipulation ever. Led to a grievance and the rules changing to promote prospects sooner. That’s not something to emulate.

And the AAA excuse is almost as bad as the 40-man roster excuse! The list of HOF players and other good players who never played AAA is long.

[RunSup]

I keep seeing post after post complaining about the Cards not bringing up Weatherholt for a cup of coffee this year. I don’t think many of you have any understanding of the reasons why he isn’t being brought up. He obviously has done everything to prove that he deserves an opportunity, but Mo and or Bloom are doing the smart thing here. (I am no fan of Mo)

Currently he isn’t on the 40 man roster, and because of his status he isn’t eligible for the rule 5 draft and doesn’t need to be protected. If he is brought up to the majors, he will have to be added to the 40 man which will take another spot that the cards could use to protect another player from being picked off their roster through the rule 5 draft.

Also by not starting his service time until opening day they can actually push back his first year of arbitration until 2029. Saving the cards some payroll down the line. If they delay his debut until mid April, which I think they will, he won’t be eligible for arbitration until 2030 and pushes his free agency back an additional year. After 2032 season.

My money is on seeing JJ sometime in mid April of 2026.

I think this would be the smartest move the front office could make.

He absolutely will start the 2026 with the big club. Compete for ROY. The Cardinals want the extra draft pick.

[Carp4Cy]

40 man is a bull shildt excuse.

Immediate DFA's from the 40 man:

Fernandez
King
Robberse
Hampson
Siani
Roycroft
Munoz
Alcala
Veneziano

"Mid April"

NO CHANCE

He's the opening day 2nd baseman.

I said this yesterday. Also Mikolas will be gone and several more need to be traded.

[WaltsSuccessor]

Few things:
1. JJ Never played AAA before this year
2. Cards divested this season. Why waste a year of control on 2025?


See what Theo did with Kris Bryant in 2014.


Let’s be smart, ppl.

They don’t lose a year of control bringing him up this year. He’d hit FA the same as if he was the starting 2B opening day next season.

The Kris Bryant situation was the most blatant service time manipulation ever. Led to a grievance and the rules changing to promote prospects sooner. That’s not something to emulate.

And the AAA excuse is almost as bad as the 40-man roster excuse! The list of HOF players and other good players who never played AAA is long.

It’s pretty awful. Aren’t we at 38 players currently anyway? It’ll be 37 once Mikolas is off at seasons end.

Who do we have that’s Rule 5 eligible that’s not on the 40 man right now? Who needs protection this offseason?

[cardstatman]

• A minor league player could be promoted to the MLB roster on or after April 11, 2026, to prevent him from earning a full year of service credit for the 2026 season.
• MLB Opening Day in 2026 is scheduled for March 26. The first 16 days of the season must pass before a player is promoted. This ensures that even if he remains on the active roster for the rest of the season, he can only accumulate 171 days of service time.

I hope we see J.J. Wetherholt very soon after April 11, 2026 so that we can see J.J. Wetherhold all year in 2032.

It would be wasteful to trade the entire 2032 season of J.J. Wetherholt for a few weeks of J.J. Wetherholt in this lost season just because a few fans can't wait to open their present. He is now up to a whole 28 games in AAA.

[Bushiro]

40 man is a bull shildt excuse.

Immediate DFA's from the 40 man:

Fernandez
King
Robberse
Hampson
Siani
Roycroft
Munoz
Alcala
Veneziano

"Mid April"

NO CHANCE

He's the opening day 2nd baseman.

This....it's not hard

[3dender]

• A minor league player could be promoted to the MLB roster on or after April 11, 2026, to prevent him from earning a full year of service credit for the 2026 season.
• MLB Opening Day in 2026 is scheduled for March 26. The first 16 days of the season must pass before a player is promoted. This ensures that even if he remains on the active roster for the rest of the season, he can only accumulate 171 days of service time.

I hope we see J.J. Wetherholt very soon after April 11, 2026 so that we can see J.J. Wetherhold all year in 2032.

It would be wasteful to trade the entire 2032 season of J.J. Wetherholt for a few weeks of J.J. Wetherholt in this lost season just because a few fans can't wait to open their present. He is now up to a whole 28 games in AAA.

The only way they won't see him in 2032 is if he's so disappointing that they decide not to extend him well before 2032. The extra year of team control is essentially meaningless.

[Ozziesfan41]

I have no problem with them with them waiting until September to call him up but it’s dumb to not call him up then because he will maintain rookie status for next season. He should have a legitimate shot to make the team out of spring training no reason not to give him a taste of the big leagues this season in preparation for next season.