Cardinal Nation on Bernal as #5 Prospect

[Talkin' Baseball]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

I’m not smart enough to evaluate the players but I am smart enough to know what I want in a catcher. Sure I want him to hit but my main priority is defense and the knowledge to control the staff and frankly the game. Pitch framing, blocking, arm strength, and brains. Those are my priorities

My priorities are for STL to make CORRECT BASEBALL DECISIONS.
Bernal is a quality prospect and may well be at the top of his value - and STL should leverage that to fill far more pressing needs.
By the way, when you typed 'Pitch framing, blocking, arm strength, and brains" you perfectly described Crooks - who STL has under control for the next 6 years.
Bernal is expendable.

or vice versa.

Not quite.
Crooks is needed now.
Bernal is not and may or may not be in the future.
Which is why Crooks should be retained and Bernal dealt.

Why is Crooks needed now? So we can have 3 catchers on the roster instead of 2? So we can win 75 games instead of 73?

Herrera is not an MLB catcher and never will be, while Pozo is a journeyman roster filler.
That leaves Pages and Crooks as potential viable options.
Further, 2026 is needed to evaluate Crooks at the MLB level - which is not yet needed from Bernal.
Additionally, Bernal is being pushed from below by Rodriguez.
Bernal may become a quality MLB catcher - no one is debating otherwise.
But, the organization is deep with catcher prospects and given where each is at right now, as well as where the organization is at, it is obvious that Bernal is the most obvious and appropriate trade piece option from the current group.
Bloom would be very, very foolish to pass on any quality opportunity to leverage Bernal to obtain needed talent at greater areas of need.

I know that you hold that opinion.

[Melville]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

I’m not smart enough to evaluate the players but I am smart enough to know what I want in a catcher. Sure I want him to hit but my main priority is defense and the knowledge to control the staff and frankly the game. Pitch framing, blocking, arm strength, and brains. Those are my priorities

My priorities are for STL to make CORRECT BASEBALL DECISIONS.
Bernal is a quality prospect and may well be at the top of his value - and STL should leverage that to fill far more pressing needs.
By the way, when you typed 'Pitch framing, blocking, arm strength, and brains" you perfectly described Crooks - who STL has under control for the next 6 years.
Bernal is expendable.

or vice versa.

Not quite.
Crooks is needed now.
Bernal is not and may or may not be in the future.
Which is why Crooks should be retained and Bernal dealt.

Why is Crooks needed now? So we can have 3 catchers on the roster instead of 2? So we can win 75 games instead of 73?

Herrera is not an MLB catcher and never will be, while Pozo is a journeyman roster filler.
That leaves Pages and Crooks as potential viable options.
Further, 2026 is needed to evaluate Crooks at the MLB level - which is not yet needed from Bernal.
Additionally, Bernal is being pushed from below by Rodriguez.
Bernal may become a quality MLB catcher - no one is debating otherwise.
But, the organization is deep with catcher prospects and given where each is at right now, as well as where the organization is at, it is obvious that Bernal is the most obvious and appropriate trade piece option from the current group.
Bloom would be very, very foolish to pass on any quality opportunity to leverage Bernal to obtain needed talent at greater areas of need.

I know that you hold that opinion.

It is more than an opinion.
It is simply the correct way to conduct strategic analysis resulting in right decision making.
Super Slo Mo was terrified of that type of thinking.
Bloom must embrace it.

[ScotchMIrish]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

If he is good enough to win the gold glove at AA I would keep him. The most important defensive position in baseball. .247 at AA translates to Mendoza line in MLB but he is young for the level and should improve.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Only at your house is it more than an opinion. I love talkin' baseball, and I even really enjoy hearing your point of view on Cardinal baseball, but the rest of the hyperbole is a mess.

[2ninr]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

I’m not smart enough to evaluate the players but I am smart enough to know what I want in a catcher. Sure I want him to hit but my main priority is defense and the knowledge to control the staff and frankly the game. Pitch framing, blocking, arm strength, and brains. Those are my priorities

My priorities are for STL to make CORRECT BASEBALL DECISIONS.
Bernal is a quality prospect and may well be at the top of his value - and STL should leverage that to fill far more pressing needs.
By the way, when you typed 'Pitch framing, blocking, arm strength, and brains" you perfectly described Crooks - who STL has under control for the next 6 years.
Bernal is expendable.

or vice versa.

Not quite.
Crooks is needed now.
Bernal is not and may or may not be in the future.
Which is why Crooks should be retained and Bernal dealt.

Bernal is not ready right now. Its a mute point (or Noot point)

[ClassicO]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

The correct baseball decision is to trade Crooks, who does not have as high a ceiling as Bernal.

The correct baseball decision is to plan for a Bernal/Rodriguez catching platoon starting in 2028... assuming Herrera doesn't become as good as Rodriguez defensively.

What do you guys think they could get for Bernal or Crooks? In other words, trade for whom?

[rockondlouie]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

IMO this is dependent on R.R.'s progress behind the plate (by all reports his bat isn't going to be an issue).

If I was Bloom I wouldn't deal Bernal until I had made a decision on R.R.'s future position.

IF Bloom see's R.R. as the catcher of the future, then dealing Bernal for an OF'er or 3rd baseman would be a solid move.

But at this stage Bernal's values isn't going to go down this season, in fact it could go even higher w/a strong 2026.

The catchers I move now are P. Pages (add him into any Donovan or JoJo deals), then Crooks after the 2026 season if Bernal is still in the organization.

But again, they key this year is for Bloom and his team to decide what path R.R. is on position wise before you make any move w/Bernal.

JMO

[2ninr]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

The correct baseball decision is to trade Crooks, who does not have as high a ceiling as Bernal.

The correct baseball decision is to plan for a Bernal/Rodriguez catching platoon starting in 2028... assuming Herrera doesn't become as good as Rodriguez defensively.

What do you guys think they could get for Bernal or Crooks? In other words, trade for whom?

Not anything near good enough to risk the strength we have in the organization. This timwe next year should give us a much clearer path.

[3dender]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

The correct baseball decision is to trade Crooks, who does not have as high a ceiling as Bernal.

The correct baseball decision is to plan for a Bernal/Rodriguez catching platoon starting in 2028... assuming Herrera doesn't become as good as Rodriguez defensively.

What do you guys think they could get for Bernal or Crooks? In other words, trade for whom?

Neither of them will get much on their own apart from the type of prospect they got back for Gray. But packaging Crooks with Donovan or Arenado, or possibly JoJo, would improve either of those deals.

[hugeCardfan]

We do seem to be in the catbird's seat with Crooks, Bernal and Rodriguez. The only issue is that Crooks hasn't taken hold yet and the other two are still toiling in the minors.

It isn't, IMO, time to be talking trade. That's scare talk. It only works when promise dims. Melville can point out to Hence, O'Neill and others who didn't live up to expectations...but that isn't a given. If Bernal continues to develop well, he'll be even more attractive next year and, by then, we'll have a better idea of what to expect from Crooks.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

IMO this is dependent on R.R.'s progress behind the plate (by all reports his bat isn't going to be an issue).

If I was Bloom I wouldn't deal Bernal until I had made a decision on R.R.'s future position.

IF Bloom see's R.R. as the catcher of the future, then dealing Bernal for an OF'er or 3rd baseman would be a solid move.

But at this stage Bernal's values isn't going to go down this season, in fact it could go even higher w/a strong 2026.

The catchers I move now are P. Pages (add him into any Donovan or JoJo deals), then Crooks after the 2026 season if Bernal is still in the organization.

But again, they key this year is for Bloom and his team to decide what path R.R. is on position wise before you make any move w/Bernal.

JMO

Agree that if the front office decides that Rodriguez is the catcher of the future, then Bernal is the better trade piece. Crooks can catch until Rodriguez is ready.

It seems like with the catchers we have, that they would move him to get his bat in the lineup everyday, but somehow the Mariners find a way to get Cal Raleigh's bat in the lineup- so it can be done.

My early opinion is that Crooks will be a good catcher defensively and a reasonable bat, but Bernal will be better. I believe Bernal will be better defensively than RR, but will not compare with the bat. All 3 will be good enough to be major league starters.

[TraveledLessRoad]

I worry about Raniel being able to stick behind the plate.

[Strummer Jones]

I worry about Raniel being able to stick behind the plate.

I harp and harp and harp on this, and I'll continue to do so.

If there's any doubt that he can't catch then he should be moved to a new position yesterday. OR...if he can catch, but not as good as...say...Bernal, then Rodriguez should be moved yesterday.

I'd love to have a guy who can mash at catcher, don't get me wrong. But if given the choice, I'd rather have a brick wall behind the plate with a light bat than have a guy with a big stick who doesn't know which end of the glove his hand goes in.

Rodriguez isn't particularly tall, so that probably rules out first base. Maybe he could move to one of the other three corners, though.

[Shady]

I worry about Raniel being able to stick behind the plate.

I harp and harp and harp on this, and I'll continue to do so.

If there's any doubt that he can't catch then he should be moved to a new position yesterday. OR...if he can catch, but not as good as...say...Bernal, then Rodriguez should be moved yesterday.

I'd love to have a guy who can mash at catcher, don't get me wrong. But if given the choice, I'd rather have a brick wall behind the plate with a light bat than have a guy with a big stick who doesn't know which end of the glove his hand goes in.

Rodriguez isn't particularly tall, so that probably rules out first base. Maybe he could move to one of the other three corners, though.

Melville and craviduce, please note this post. Of which I agree. I'd say LF is in Rainiel's future.

[Melville]

Only at your house is it more than an opinion. I love talkin' baseball, and I even really enjoy hearing your point of view on Cardinal baseball, but the rest of the hyperbole is a mess.

Appreciate your posts as well.
Always quality.
As for me, I am only and always about the game.
Free of bias, free of agenda - and certainly free of hyperbole.

[Melville]

Considering all the prospects and roster catchers in the organization, it will be extremely interesting to see what the Bloom regime does regarding trades. In some ways this is the most important decision he has to make.

Absolutely correct.
And though it is not popular nor understood, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade Bernal to address positions of greater need.

I’m not smart enough to evaluate the players but I am smart enough to know what I want in a catcher. Sure I want him to hit but my main priority is defense and the knowledge to control the staff and frankly the game. Pitch framing, blocking, arm strength, and brains. Those are my priorities

My priorities are for STL to make CORRECT BASEBALL DECISIONS.
Bernal is a quality prospect and may well be at the top of his value - and STL should leverage that to fill far more pressing needs.
By the way, when you typed 'Pitch framing, blocking, arm strength, and brains" you perfectly described Crooks - who STL has under control for the next 6 years.
Bernal is expendable.

or vice versa.

Not quite.
Crooks is needed now.
Bernal is not and may or may not be in the future.
Which is why Crooks should be retained and Bernal dealt.

Bernal is not ready right now. Its a mute point (or Noot point)

Actually, that is precisely the point.
Pages is trusted by coaches and pitching staff, Crooks is ready for an extended look in 2026 and quite probably beyond.
Rodriguez is chasing down Bernal.
Bernal is caught in between.
Clearly the most logical trade piece if a catcher is moved.