VS II needs to start in AAA

[ClassicO]

I admit to being on the fence with Scott starting 2026.
We all know that his defense is a plus and that his speed is a huge plus.
Downside is obviously his offense and especially his plate discipline.
Assuming 2026 is another reboot year then it probably doesn’t matter if he starts the season in AAA or not??
There doesn’t seem to be an obvious better solution although I guess you roll with Siani/Church at the start?
My question? What is best for Scott in his development??
Some players respond to AAA while others regress out of frustration/disappointment.
So....is he better off working through his issues in St. Louis or Memphis??

I'm not a believer that SBs are that important - especially with a .286 OBP. And a woeful 37 RBI and only 54 runs scored (with his speed) for any starter is pitiful.
I'm just saying that they need to find a replacement because it's clear he can't hit -- and sticking with a poor status quo is just dumb.

[rockondlouie]

He had a .597 OPS in his time at AAA. His MLB career slash is .206/.283/.293/.576. He's the worst-hitting CF in baseball.
His WAR is a generous 1.7 only because of his position, as CFs get a huge boost because of the position. Frickin' Bader had almost twice his WAR.
A team without hitting can't afford this guy, despite his elite defense.
If you wish to keep him, please state your reasoning.

He, Gorman, and Walker all had their runway. Send them down until they prove they can hit - and in Walker and Gorman's case - play adequate defense. (None of them has any trade value.)

I recently found out Gorman is out of options CO.

He's either here on OD 2026 or dealt this offseason.

But agree about Walker, 100% has to be at AAA all season.

No issue w/VSII starting there either as long as there's a better option in CF (and I'm not sold Church is any better a hitter).

Good to know about Gorman. I was a big fan of his -- but, like Walker, he's shown me little. Their defense has been astoundingly bad.

Same here, I'm done w/Walker already.

C. Bloom is going to weed out the oversupply of LHHers.

If NADO is still here, then it could be Gorman.

Maybe even if NADO is gone and Donny is still here if they want to play Donny at 3rd base over Gorman.

But if NADO and Donny are dealt, then we may be stuck w/Gorman at 3rd base (no way I want Sagesse starting there or anywhere for that matter).

If he's still here, then let's hope J. Oquendo can work some spring magic and coach Gorman up to at least league average defensively at 3rd.

[Carp4Cy]

Who plays CF? Not stumping for Argo. Just asking.

Argo needs to practice bunting and slash hitting for most of his off-season hitting practice.

Someone new should start. All these surplus IFers are going to be traded, Why not demand someone MLB ready in return? Maybe one of the Pirates OFers - Reynolds or Cruz? Work out a trade for Spencer Jones, do what it takes excluding JJW. Heck even Bader coming off his career year and back to career norms would be a massive improvement.

LoL. Cruz isn't an answer. Reynolds either. Both had less WAR than Argo!

My concern with Spencer Jones...another lefty. It's hard to find a RH hitting OFer.

I'd see about Colby Thomas. Not sure what it would take

If we are going to consider more years than just 2025 for Bader than we need to do the same for the Pirates Out fielders. I think Reynolds is a potential All-Star with a change in scenery. He certainly has that in his résumé not that long ago. If not in centerfield, he could be an improvement in right or left field.

21 career war is more than double noots career without double the years in the league and 10 X of Victor Scott so far.

[scoutyjones2]

Who plays CF? Not stumping for Argo. Just asking.

Argo needs to practice bunting and slash hitting for most of his off-season hitting practice.

Someone new should start. All these surplus IFers are going to be traded, Why not demand someone MLB ready in return? Maybe one of the Pirates OFers - Reynolds or Cruz? Work out a trade for Spencer Jones, do what it takes excluding JJW. Heck even Bader coming off his career year and back to career norms would be a massive improvement.

LoL. Cruz isn't an answer. Reynolds either. Both had less WAR than Argo!

My concern with Spencer Jones...another lefty. It's hard to find a RH hitting OFer.

I'd see about Colby Thomas. Not sure what it would take

If we are going to consider more years than just 2025 for Bader than we need to do the same for the Pirates Out fielders. I think Reynolds is a potential All-Star with a change in scenery. He certainly has that in his résumé not that long ago. If not in centerfield, he could be an improvement in right or left field.

I don't want Bader or those Pirate rejects.

Again, see if you can pry Colby...

[ClassicO]

He had a .597 OPS in his time at AAA. His MLB career slash is .206/.283/.293/.576. He's the worst-hitting CF in baseball.
His WAR is a generous 1.7 only because of his position, as CFs get a huge boost because of the position. Frickin' Bader had almost twice his WAR.
A team without hitting can't afford this guy, despite his elite defense.
If you wish to keep him, please state your reasoning.

He, Gorman, and Walker all had their runway. Send them down until they prove they can hit - and in Walker and Gorman's case - play adequate defense. (None of them has any trade value.)

I recently found out Gorman is out of options CO.

He's either here on OD 2026 or dealt this offseason.

But agree about Walker, 100% has to be at AAA all season.

No issue w/VSII starting there either as long as there's a better option in CF (and I'm not sold Church is any better a hitter).

Good to know about Gorman. I was a big fan of his -- but, like Walker, he's shown me little. Their defense has been astoundingly bad.

Same here, I'm done w/Walker already.

C. Bloom is going to weed out the oversupply of LHHers.

If NADO is still here, then it could be Gorman.

Maybe even if NADO is gone and Donny is still here if they want to play Donny at 3rd base over Gorman.

But if NADO and Donny are dealt, then we may be stuck w/Gorman at 3rd base (no way I want Sagesse starting there or anywhere for that matter).

If he's still here, then let's hope J. Oquendo can work some spring magic and coach Gorman up to at least league average defensively at 3rd.

I'm good with trading anybody. Gorman at 3b (or anywhere on the dirt) would be a nightmare. He's a platoon DH at best.

[rockondlouie]

He had a .597 OPS in his time at AAA. His MLB career slash is .206/.283/.293/.576. He's the worst-hitting CF in baseball.
His WAR is a generous 1.7 only because of his position, as CFs get a huge boost because of the position. Frickin' Bader had almost twice his WAR.
A team without hitting can't afford this guy, despite his elite defense.
If you wish to keep him, please state your reasoning.

He, Gorman, and Walker all had their runway. Send them down until they prove they can hit - and in Walker and Gorman's case - play adequate defense. (None of them has any trade value.)

I recently found out Gorman is out of options CO.

He's either here on OD 2026 or dealt this offseason.

But agree about Walker, 100% has to be at AAA all season.

No issue w/VSII starting there either as long as there's a better option in CF (and I'm not sold Church is any better a hitter).

Good to know about Gorman. I was a big fan of his -- but, like Walker, he's shown me little. Their defense has been astoundingly bad.

Same here, I'm done w/Walker already.

C. Bloom is going to weed out the oversupply of LHHers.

If NADO is still here, then it could be Gorman.

Maybe even if NADO is gone and Donny is still here if they want to play Donny at 3rd base over Gorman.

But if NADO and Donny are dealt, then we may be stuck w/Gorman at 3rd base (no way I want Sagesse starting there or anywhere for that matter).

If he's still here, then let's hope J. Oquendo can work some spring magic and coach Gorman up to at least league average defensively at 3rd.

I'm good with trading anybody. Gorman at 3b (or anywhere on the dirt) would be a nightmare. He's a platoon DH at best.

Only player I'm not dealing is I. Hererra (even if he's just our DH), everybody else is fair game.

Agreed on Norman, he's a disaster at 3rd base.

[Melville]

I admit to being on the fence with Scott starting 2026.
We all know that his defense is a plus and that his speed is a huge plus.
Downside is obviously his offense and especially his plate discipline.
Assuming 2026 is another reboot year then it probably doesn’t matter if he starts the season in AAA or not??
There doesn’t seem to be an obvious better solution although I guess you roll with Siani/Church at the start?
My question? What is best for Scott in his development??
Some players respond to AAA while others regress out of frustration/disappointment.
So....is he better off working through his issues in St. Louis or Memphis??

Interesting take and I am on board with him on the team at the start of the season. No better options and his D, speed and SBs are significant. Let the best man win it in ST...

Correct.
One of the slowest teams in MLB cannot discard what little speed they do possess.
That would be foolishness.
And, there is no better option at this time.
The correct strategic decision is to allow the very young 24 year old CF to retain his spot - until July.
If his offense improves, great.
If it does not, that will be the time to make a move.
And, obviously, Joshua Baez must play a lot of CF in Memphis in 2026.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

[JuanAgosto]

Preferably Bloom finds a stud CF this offseason. Realistically, Scott is probably in CF on opening day.

[Ozziesfan41]

He had a .597 OPS in his time at AAA. His MLB career slash is .206/.283/.293/.576. He's the worst-hitting CF in baseball.
His WAR is a generous 1.7 only because of his position, as CFs get a huge boost because of the position. Frickin' Bader had almost twice his WAR.
A team without hitting can't afford this guy, despite his elite defense.
If you wish to keep him, please state your reasoning.

He, Gorman, and Walker all had their runway. Send them down until they prove they can hit - and in Walker and Gorman's case - play adequate defense. (None of them has any trade value.)

I recently found out Gorman is out of options CO.

He's either here on OD 2026 or dealt this offseason.

But agree about Walker, 100% has to be at AAA all season.

No issue w/VSII starting there either as long as there's a better option in CF (and I'm not sold Church is any better a hitter).

Good to know about Gorman. I was a big fan of his -- but, like Walker, he's shown me little. Their defense has been astoundingly bad.

Same here, I'm done w/Walker already.

C. Bloom is going to weed out the oversupply of LHHers.

If NADO is still here, then it could be Gorman.

Maybe even if NADO is gone and Donny is still here if they want to play Donny at 3rd base over Gorman.

But if NADO and Donny are dealt, then we may be stuck w/Gorman at 3rd base (no way I want Sagesse starting there or anywhere for that matter).

If he's still here, then let's hope J. Oquendo can work some spring magic and coach Gorman up to at least league average defensively at 3rd.

I'm good with trading anybody. Gorman at 3b (or anywhere on the dirt) would be a nightmare. He's a platoon DH at best.

Only player I'm not dealing is I. Hererra (even if he's just our DH), everybody else is fair game.

Agreed on Norman, he's a disaster at 3rd base.

A disaster at the plate also

[Carp4Cy]

He had a .597 OPS in his time at AAA. His MLB career slash is .206/.283/.293/.576. He's the worst-hitting CF in baseball.
His WAR is a generous 1.7 only because of his position, as CFs get a huge boost because of the position. Frickin' Bader had almost twice his WAR.
A team without hitting can't afford this guy, despite his elite defense.
If you wish to keep him, please state your reasoning.

He, Gorman, and Walker all had their runway. Send them down until they prove they can hit - and in Walker and Gorman's case - play adequate defense. (None of them has any trade value.)

I recently found out Gorman is out of options CO.

He's either here on OD 2026 or dealt this offseason.

But agree about Walker, 100% has to be at AAA all season.

No issue w/VSII starting there either as long as there's a better option in CF (and I'm not sold Church is any better a hitter).

Good to know about Gorman. I was a big fan of his -- but, like Walker, he's shown me little. Their defense has been astoundingly bad.

Same here, I'm done w/Walker already.

C. Bloom is going to weed out the oversupply of LHHers.

If NADO is still here, then it could be Gorman.

Maybe even if NADO is gone and Donny is still here if they want to play Donny at 3rd base over Gorman.

But if NADO and Donny are dealt, then we may be stuck w/Gorman at 3rd base (no way I want Sagesse starting there or anywhere for that matter).

If he's still here, then let's hope J. Oquendo can work some spring magic and coach Gorman up to at least league average defensively at 3rd.

I'm good with trading anybody. Gorman at 3b (or anywhere on the dirt) would be a nightmare. He's a platoon DH at best.

Gorman is ok at 2B. And a mediocre bat plays better there than at 3b. But if JJ is anywhere near expectations he’d bring a superior glove and a higher OPS, making Gorman superfluous.

To me, Gorman is the first one to trade even before Nado.

[ilcubuffs]

Scott and Church to Fla for winter. Learn bunting and hitting to opposite field. IF they cannot be MLB proficient then trade for Pages, Kwan, ?????

NA wants LA then package to get Pages. Guardians needs catchers, players who can hit, etc. Send Pages, Pozo, ???

All need to know about Gorman is he is GONE.

[Carp4Cy]

Scott and Church to Fla for winter. Learn bunting and hitting to opposite field. IF they cannot be MLB proficient then trade for Pages, Kwan, ?????

NA wants LA then package to get Pages. Guardians needs catchers, players who can hit, etc. Send Pages, Pozo, ???

All need to know about Gorman is he is GONE.

Pages for Pages??? Make it happen.

27 HRs out of CF would become the team MVP here, by a long shot.

[Cusecards]

I admit to being on the fence with Scott starting 2026.
We all know that his defense is a plus and that his speed is a huge plus.
Downside is obviously his offense and especially his plate discipline.
Assuming 2026 is another reboot year then it probably doesn’t matter if he starts the season in AAA or not??
There doesn’t seem to be an obvious better solution although I guess you roll with Siani/Church at the start?
My question? What is best for Scott in his development??
Some players respond to AAA while others regress out of frustration/disappointment.
So....is he better off working through his issues in St. Louis or Memphis??

Interesting take and I am on board with him on the team at the start of the season. No better options and his D, speed and SBs are significant. Let the best man win it in ST...

I’m good either way to start the season.
It goes without saying that they better have a “plan” with him that he doesn’t construe as negative.
And like you said what are the other options?

[Cusecards]

I admit to being on the fence with Scott starting 2026.
We all know that his defense is a plus and that his speed is a huge plus.
Downside is obviously his offense and especially his plate discipline.
Assuming 2026 is another reboot year then it probably doesn’t matter if he starts the season in AAA or not??
There doesn’t seem to be an obvious better solution although I guess you roll with Siani/Church at the start?
My question? What is best for Scott in his development??
Some players respond to AAA while others regress out of frustration/disappointment.
So....is he better off working through his issues in St. Louis or Memphis??

I'm not a believer that SBs are that important - especially with a .286 OBP. And a woeful 37 RBI and only 54 runs scored (with his speed) for any starter is pitiful.
I'm just saying that they need to find a replacement because it's clear he can't hit -- and sticking with a poor status quo is just dumb.

Well yes.....of course if his OBP is that bad it’s a problem.
Time will tell.

[Ozziesfan41]

Scott increased his batting average in one season from .179 to .216 OBP from .219 to .305 slugging from .283 to .296 OPS from .502 to .601 since the cardinals aren’t going to contend next season I say give him a third year see if he can increase the numbers similarly. The more pressing need is a power hitting corner infielder and or outfielder that’s who they need to be going after.

[82birds]

Scott and Church to Fla for winter. Learn bunting and hitting to opposite field. IF they cannot be MLB proficient then trade for Pages, Kwan, ?????

NA wants LA then package to get Pages. Guardians needs catchers, players who can hit, etc. Send Pages, Pozo, ???

All need to know about Gorman is he is GONE.

love that idea !