Are the Cardinals a better team with Arenado at third.

[ramfandan]

The answer of Are Cardinals better in 2026 with Arenado’s defense at 3rd ? Yes of course but Bloom is trying to improve the team long term .
Bloom understands Nado’s age precludes him being a part of the future. So off he goes just like Bloom will do with Sonny Gray .
Cards in 2026 are better with Gray too but Bloom looking forward so bye bye Sonny too.
Part of the business.

Some posters are too locked in on what players would be best fir 2026 team. Our new POBO has different vision.
I am not criticizing those who seek the best possible team for 2026
But feel they will be quite disappointed as Bloom makes multiple moves trading away current vets. If it’s quite a few, some may refer to it as a ‘house cleaning’ .

[rage-STL]

If Arenado is here:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 2B
Arenado - 3B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

If Arenado is traded:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 3B
Saggese - 2B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

It feels like it's time to part ways with NA. I was fired up when we got him and loved watching him play, but it seems to have run its course.

LoL...JW in RF...no. Herrera at Catcher? [fork] no!

Right, both of them, along with Burleson, should be the full-time DH!!

Don't shoot the messenger. Just going off of the most recent information we have from the team.

Marmol: Cardinals want Herrera to catch again in '26

Herrera just had surgery on his elbow, guess we'll see how it plays out. I ultimately think he's a DH/1B, same with Burly. Though Burly will see plenty of time in LF/RF this year. We also have Contreras. Bloom has his work cut out for him.

[sdaltons]

If Arenado is here:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 2B
Arenado - 3B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

If Arenado is traded:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 3B
Saggese - 2B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

It feels like it's time to part ways with NA. I was fired up when we got him and loved watching him play, but it seems to have run its course.

LoL...JW in RF...no. Herrera at Catcher? [fork] no!

Right, both of them, along with Burleson, should be the full-time DH!!

Don't shoot the messenger. Just going off of the most recent information we have from the team.

Marmol: Cardinals want Herrera to catch again in '26

Herrera just had surgery on his elbow, guess we'll see how it plays out. I ultimately think he's a DH/1B, same with Burly. Though Burly will see plenty of time in LF/RF this year. We also have Contreras. Bloom has his work cut out for him.

Oh no I agree with you. Scouty doesn't, but that's to be expected.

The lineup is deeper with Herrera behind the plate. He's never going to be Yadi but if he can get to passable defensively, we are better for it. But that's a big if. It's why I continue to not understand why they didn't just stick with him at C in 25 and work through the issues. Might we have lost 1-2 more games in the process? Oh noes! But now we'd have a pretty good feel for whether he could stick at C longterm.

[Ozziesfan41]

It depends on who is at third if arenado is traded. If it’s Gorman at third then yes cards are better with arenado at third because Gorman sucks at the plate and in the field

[ramfandan]

If Arenado is here:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 2B
Arenado - 3B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

If Arenado is traded:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 3B
Saggese - 2B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

It feels like it's time to part ways with NA. I was fired up when we got him and loved watching him play, but it seems to have run its course.

LoL...JW in RF...no. Herrera at Catcher? [fork] no!

Right, both of them, along with Burleson, should be the full-time DH!!

Don't shoot the messenger. Just going off of the most recent information we have from the team.

Marmol: Cardinals want Herrera to catch again in '26

Herrera just had surgery on his elbow, guess we'll see how it plays out. I ultimately think he's a DH/1B, same with Burly. Though Burly will see plenty of time in LF/RF this year. We also have Contreras. Bloom has his work cut out for him.

Bloom sure does. Understand the skepticism by some on whether Herrera can be full time catcher. I do understand though why Oli and coaches are promoting that.
They realize that Cards offense is still anemic. Having Herrera as ‘bat first’ the catcher opens up the offense. If Willy Con is traded too, then 1st is open, DH, and if Noot is traded LF too.
Cardd want more offense long term so they feel best way is to ‘catch’ Herrera. Will it work is the question but we know why they are pursuing it.
If it doesn’t pan out in 2026, they move on to Plan B …Cards have catchers coming up.

[scoutyjones2]

If Arenado is here:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 2B
Arenado - 3B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

If Arenado is traded:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 3B
Saggese - 2B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

It feels like it's time to part ways with NA. I was fired up when we got him and loved watching him play, but it seems to have run its course.

LoL...JW in RF...no. Herrera at Catcher? [fork] no!

Right, both of them, along with Burleson, should be the full-time DH!!

Don't shoot the messenger. Just going off of the most recent information we have from the team.

Marmol: Cardinals want Herrera to catch again in '26

Herrera just had surgery on his elbow, guess we'll see how it plays out. I ultimately think he's a DH/1B, same with Burly. Though Burly will see plenty of time in LF/RF this year. We also have Contreras. Bloom has his work cut out for him.

Oh no I agree with you. Scouty doesn't, but that's to be expected.

The lineup is deeper with Herrera behind the plate. He's never going to be Yadi but if he can get to passable defensively, we are better for it. But that's a big if. It's why I continue to not understand why they didn't just stick with him at C in 25 and work through the issues. Might we have lost 1-2 more games in the process? Oh noes! But now we'd have a pretty good feel for whether he could stick at C longterm.

LoL
Ivan wants to catch and the Cards are humoring him. He's absolutely atrocious as a backstop. Hell, he hurts himself running bases, imagine adding squatting behind the plate for games on end


Bumbles is an OK corner OFer

[Cusecards]

There are two sides to the Arenado “question”:
1) From a strictly on the field perspective Arenado is clearly better than Gorman both offensively and defensively. Of course we could see Donovan at 3B.
2) From a financial perspective it becomes much different.
If you deal Arenado it figures to lead to cost savings which can be allocated elsewhere. How much they save of course is a big question?
And if they allocate that savings does it improve the overall team?

All questions that need answering starting in November.
My guess is that Arenado is dealt. What happens as a result? Who knows?

[sdaltons]

If Arenado is here:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 2B
Arenado - 3B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

If Arenado is traded:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 3B
Saggese - 2B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

It feels like it's time to part ways with NA. I was fired up when we got him and loved watching him play, but it seems to have run its course.

LoL...JW in RF...no. Herrera at Catcher? [fork] no!

Right, both of them, along with Burleson, should be the full-time DH!!

Don't shoot the messenger. Just going off of the most recent information we have from the team.

Marmol: Cardinals want Herrera to catch again in '26

Herrera just had surgery on his elbow, guess we'll see how it plays out. I ultimately think he's a DH/1B, same with Burly. Though Burly will see plenty of time in LF/RF this year. We also have Contreras. Bloom has his work cut out for him.

Oh no I agree with you. Scouty doesn't, but that's to be expected.

The lineup is deeper with Herrera behind the plate. He's never going to be Yadi but if he can get to passable defensively, we are better for it. But that's a big if. It's why I continue to not understand why they didn't just stick with him at C in 25 and work through the issues. Might we have lost 1-2 more games in the process? Oh noes! But now we'd have a pretty good feel for whether he could stick at C longterm.

LoL
Ivan wants to catch and the Cards are humoring him. He's absolutely atrocious as a backstop. Hell, he hurts himself running bases, imagine adding squatting behind the plate for games on end


Bumbles is an OK corner OFer

Somehow Herrera managed to stick at C through 8 minor league seasons. Earned the promotion to the show as a C. Then the organization suddenly realized he couldn't cut it as a C.

If only there was a way someone could have noticed sooner, he could have been several years into a new position by now.

[CorneliusWolfe]

Good morning.

I struggle to thread a suitable topic. Maybe this will work.

Given: Cardinal Infield will be Willy-JJ-Winn.

Are we a better team with Nolan’s top five defensive effort combined with Scott up the middle.

He may not hit, but that can be found in a corner outfield. Need two corners with power. That would offset his lack of power.

Donovan. I feel he takes third if they trade Arenado. That would suffice, minus the great play often. Does he makes us better with Nolan at third.

So I ask- one simple question. Are we better with Arenado at third.

Enjoy.

If NA would alter his approach to more of a slap hitter and not focus on power, then he might be as good of an option as Donovan at 3rd. Neither have the traditional power for the position.

Donovan would still offer better OBP, while NA brings the better defense. However, Donovan has real trade value whereas NA does not.

I’m not saying this is the course of action the team should take, just giving my thoughts on the options/comparisons.

[JuanAgosto]

News flash. Ol Billy will take any money saved by trading Arenado and reallocate it to his bank account. He is not spending more on this team, he is LOWERING payroll. That's it. That is his real rebuilding plan. Go cheap and bank the profits. These bozos are throwing young, low-cost players out there with no intentions of winning. Yet they are raising ticket prices. That shows what they think about their fans.

[scoutyjones2]

If Arenado is here:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 2B
Arenado - 3B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

If Arenado is traded:

Donovan - LF
Herrera - C
Burly - DH
Contreras - 1B
Weatherholt - 3B
Saggese - 2B
Winn - SS
Walker - RF
Scott - CF

It feels like it's time to part ways with NA. I was fired up when we got him and loved watching him play, but it seems to have run its course.

LoL...JW in RF...no. Herrera at Catcher? [fork] no!

Right, both of them, along with Burleson, should be the full-time DH!!

Don't shoot the messenger. Just going off of the most recent information we have from the team.

Marmol: Cardinals want Herrera to catch again in '26

Herrera just had surgery on his elbow, guess we'll see how it plays out. I ultimately think he's a DH/1B, same with Burly. Though Burly will see plenty of time in LF/RF this year. We also have Contreras. Bloom has his work cut out for him.

Oh no I agree with you. Scouty doesn't, but that's to be expected.

The lineup is deeper with Herrera behind the plate. He's never going to be Yadi but if he can get to passable defensively, we are better for it. But that's a big if. It's why I continue to not understand why they didn't just stick with him at C in 25 and work through the issues. Might we have lost 1-2 more games in the process? Oh noes! But now we'd have a pretty good feel for whether he could stick at C longterm.

LoL
Ivan wants to catch and the Cards are humoring him. He's absolutely atrocious as a backstop. Hell, he hurts himself running bases, imagine adding squatting behind the plate for games on end


Bumbles is an OK corner OFer

Somehow Herrera managed to stick at C through 8 minor league seasons. Earned the promotion to the show as a C. Then the organization suddenly realized he couldn't cut it as a C.

If only there was a way someone could have noticed sooner, he could have been several years into a new position by now.

They were/are blinded by his offense and his drive. They knew his arm was poor as is/was his D. And, they needed RH bats

[scoutyjones2]

Good morning.

I struggle to thread a suitable topic. Maybe this will work.

Given: Cardinal Infield will be Willy-JJ-Winn.

Are we a better team with Nolan’s top five defensive effort combined with Scott up the middle.

He may not hit, but that can be found in a corner outfield. Need two corners with power. That would offset his lack of power.

Donovan. I feel he takes third if they trade Arenado. That would suffice, minus the great play often. Does he makes us better with Nolan at third.

So I ask- one simple question. Are we better with Arenado at third.

Enjoy.

If NA would alter his approach to more of a slap hitter and not focus on power, then he might be as good of an option as Donovan at 3rd. Neither have the traditional power for the position.

Donovan would still offer better OBP, while NA brings the better defense. However, Donovan has real trade value whereas NA does not.

I’m not saying this is the course of action the team should take, just giving my thoughts on the options/comparisons.

You concisely defined the situation. Thank you.

[rockondlouie]

If only there was a way someone could have noticed sooner, he could have been several years into a new position by now.

Yet another example of Mo-mismanagement of the minor league system.

How many prospects did this guy and his neglected minor league system ruin?

[ilcubuffs]

IF you ever watched Gorman attempt to play defense NA is at 3rd.

Better yet ask the pitchers.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

The real question is what should they do to find the best lineup going into 2027 and beyond. Yes in 2025 and 2026 NA makes the team better. Only because they have no one who plays a solid 3B and hits. That doesn't mean they should keep him.

They have options to try there. I know some already labeled Saggese as a JAG but IMO that is premature. His minor league stats indicate he might have a bat. 324 ABs in part time play is too soon to decide.

I know there will be howling but Gorman is only 25. I wonder if he will ever be a competent fielder or hitter but 2026 is a rebuild year and better to figure it out versus keeping NA.

Fermin is OK as a stopgap. PerhapsBlaze Jordan is real.

And lastly - has anyoneever considered they could benefit finding a position other than DH or C for Herrera? He might be able to play 3B

[Cusecards]

The real question is what should they do to find the best lineup going into 2027 and beyond. Yes in 2025 and 2026 NA makes the team better. Only because they have no one who plays a solid 3B and hits. That doesn't mean they should keep him.

They have options to try there. I know some already labeled Saggese as a JAG but IMO that is premature. His minor league stats indicate he might have a bat. 324 ABs in part time play is too soon to decide.

I know there will be howling but Gorman is only 25. I wonder if he will ever be a competent fielder or hitter but 2026 is a rebuild year and better to figure it out versus keeping NA.

Fermin is OK as a stopgap. PerhapsBlaze Jordan is real.

And lastly - has anyoneever considered they could benefit finding a position other than DH or C for Herrera? He might be able to play 3B

Considering the approach for 2026 I’m fine with giving Gorman, Walker , etc more time.
Bloom is just getting his feet wet and has a lot on his plate.
If solid deals emerge then act.
If not I wouldn’t just deal for the sake of forcing moves.
2027 figures to look different!