Mr. Walker

[Carp4Cy]

Hopefully starts at AA next year and earns his way back..I have no faith in any of that happening

We've done this the past 3 years. Didn't help. I think he will be out of options.

They definitely did not start him any of the last 3 years in the minors. They ended up demoting him but they did not start him there.

Next year they absolutely need to start him in AAA and leave him there until he starts mashing AAA pitching. And if he doesn't they need to trade him next winter.

He only gets 3 option years. If he’s out he can’t go back to AAA without a DFA.

[gpe13579]

Just no growth whatsoever coming from Walker.

He'll have a nice stretch, then immediately slip back into the abyss.

It's reaching a point where the Cardinals may have to accept he's just not a major league caliber player (can't hit/horrible fielder).

I'd bet Bloom cuts the cord and moves on quickly in 2026 if Walker doesn't come to STing a "new man" at the plate and in the field.

He will absolutely come into 2026 a "new man". At least that's the narrative the Cardinal marketing machine will push.

[Bomber1]

Hopefully starts at AA next year and earns his way back..I have no faith in any of that happening

We've done this the past 3 years. Didn't help. I think he will be out of options.

They definitely did not start him any of the last 3 years in the minors. They ended up demoting him but they did not start him there.

Next year they absolutely need to start him in AAA and leave him there until he starts mashing AAA pitching. And if he doesn't they need to trade him next winter.

He only gets 3 option years. If he’s out he can’t go back to AAA without a DFA.

As long as he stays up the rest of this season, he still has an option year next year.

[3dender]

Hopefully starts at AA next year and earns his way back..I have no faith in any of that happening

We've done this the past 3 years. Didn't help. I think he will be out of options.

They definitely did not start him any of the last 3 years in the minors. They ended up demoting him but they did not start him there.

Next year they absolutely need to start him in AAA and leave him there until he starts mashing AAA pitching. And if he doesn't they need to trade him next winter.

He only gets 3 option years. If he’s out he can’t go back to AAA without a DFA.

He has one more option, which is why they need to take full advantage of it next year, and why they should absolutely not use it this year.

[Poojols]

I don't know how Walker can be in the team's plans as an everyday player at a premium offensive position for 2026.

Let him get 450-500 AB's or so at Memphis and bring McGwire or someone as a special instructor for him.

If that doesn't straighten him out then move on.

Busts happen.

So true. Cardinals have had among the worst busts in MLB the past 15 years considering top 100 prospects only.

[blackinkbiz]

I don't know how Walker can be in the team's plans as an everyday player at a premium offensive position for 2026.

Let him get 450-500 AB's or so at Memphis and bring McGwire or someone as a special instructor for him.

If that doesn't straighten him out then move on.

Busts happen.

So true. Cardinals have had among the worst busts in MLB the past 15 years considering top 100 prospects only.

Yep, the only ones that panned out are ones they traded away. lmao

KMN

[Carp4Cy]

I don't know how Walker can be in the team's plans as an everyday player at a premium offensive position for 2026.

Let him get 450-500 AB's or so at Memphis and bring McGwire or someone as a special instructor for him.

If that doesn't straighten him out then move on.

Busts happen.

So true. Cardinals have had among the worst busts in MLB the past 15 years considering top 100 prospects only.

Yep, the only ones that panned out are ones they traded away. lmao

KMN

Honestly, Lance Lynn is maybe the best pitcher we have developed, career production wise in recent history. Alcantra Might eventually pass him up in WAR, but he will have to regain his former self.

[rockondlouie]

Just no growth whatsoever coming from Walker.

He'll have a nice stretch, then immediately slip back into the abyss.

It's reaching a point where the Cardinals may have to accept he's just not a major league caliber player (can't hit/horrible fielder).

I'd bet Bloom cuts the cord and moves on quickly in 2026 if Walker doesn't come to STing a "new man" at the plate and in the field.

He will absolutely come into 2026 a "new man". At least that's the narrative the Cardinal marketing machine will push.

Hopefully that old c r a p leaves w/Mo and his gang.

I expect Bloom to move on some time in 2026 from Walker if he's still s u c k ing.

[3dender]

Just no growth whatsoever coming from Walker.

He'll have a nice stretch, then immediately slip back into the abyss.

It's reaching a point where the Cardinals may have to accept he's just not a major league caliber player (can't hit/horrible fielder).

I'd bet Bloom cuts the cord and moves on quickly in 2026 if Walker doesn't come to STing a "new man" at the plate and in the field.

He will absolutely come into 2026 a "new man". At least that's the narrative the Cardinal marketing machine will push.

Hopefully that old c r a p leaves w/Mo and his gang.

I expect Bloom to move on some time in 2026 from Walker if he's still s u c k ing.

I don't think he loses anything by leaving him the whole year at AAA... unless he's blown away by an offer at the deadline. He can more likely get more in trade over the winter of 2026.

So yeah, the plan should be to start him in AAA next year and leave him there until he mashes (whatever threshold they want that to be... .850 OPS? .500 SLG? <20% K-rate? idk that's up to them)... and if he never mashes then you trade him over the winter.

What you DON'T do is continue doing the same half-(donkey) promotion/demotion that they did in 2023-24, when he never got any real traction and which would certainly depress his trade value if they did it again. At least if he stays out of the spotlight in AAA the whole year, even if he's not performing there may be some team that believes they can fix him. Not so much if they see him flailing at the same 2-feet-away sliders for the 3rd year in a row.

[Charles King]

Has management mess with him too much. They wanted lunch angle
To me sometimes hitters need to be left alone
Let then just hit
A .300 hitters is better than a .220 with a few homeruns

[scoutyjones2]

Has management mess with him too much. They wanted lunch angle
To me sometimes hitters need to be left alone
Let then just hit
A .300 hitters is better than a .220 with a few homeruns

LOL. He is built like a linebacker, K's get worse every year and hits worm burners. Can't field either. 65 OPS+. Absolutely worthless. He never adjusted to the league knowing to pitch him away. Everybody knows it. SLG 313...that's not survivable

He should start next year in AA and need to prove himself for 45 games before even thinking of moving him to AAA, and then 60 games there, at least, before bringing to MLB.

I predict he fails miserably.

[WeeVikes]

Has management mess with him too much. They wanted lunch angle
To me sometimes hitters need to be left alone
Let then just hit
A .300 hitters is better than a .220 with a few homeruns

LOL. He is built like a linebacker, K's get worse every year and hits worm burners. Can't field either. 65 OPS+. Absolutely worthless. He never adjusted to the league knowing to pitch him away. Everybody knows it. SLG 313...that's not survivable

He should start next year in AA and need to prove himself for 45 games before even thinking of moving him to AAA, and then 60 games there, at least, before bringing to MLB.

I predict he fails miserably.

Given what you say about his build, maybe he could take up a "hobby" and play for the Battlehawks...

[rockondlouie]

Just no growth whatsoever coming from Walker.

He'll have a nice stretch, then immediately slip back into the abyss.

It's reaching a point where the Cardinals may have to accept he's just not a major league caliber player (can't hit/horrible fielder).

I'd bet Bloom cuts the cord and moves on quickly in 2026 if Walker doesn't come to STing a "new man" at the plate and in the field.

He will absolutely come into 2026 a "new man". At least that's the narrative the Cardinal marketing machine will push.

Hopefully that old c r a p leaves w/Mo and his gang.

I expect Bloom to move on some time in 2026 from Walker if he's still s u c k ing.

I don't think he loses anything by leaving him the whole year at AAA... unless he's blown away by an offer at the deadline. He can more likely get more in trade over the winter of 2026.

So yeah, the plan should be to start him in AAA next year and leave him there until he mashes (whatever threshold they want that to be... .850 OPS? .500 SLG? <20% K-rate? idk that's up to them)... and if he never mashes then you trade him over the winter.

What you DON'T do is continue doing the same half-(donkey) promotion/demotion that they did in 2023-24, when he never got any real traction and which would certainly depress his trade value if they did it again. At least if he stays out of the spotlight in AAA the whole year, even if he's not performing there may be some team that believes they can fix him. Not so much if they see him flailing at the same 2-feet-away sliders for the 3rd year in a row.

Could happen for sure

Might even build Walker's trade value keeping him at AAA until mid season, then deal him.

[scoutyjones2]

Has management mess with him too much. They wanted lunch angle
To me sometimes hitters need to be left alone
Let then just hit
A .300 hitters is better than a .220 with a few homeruns

LOL. He is built like a linebacker, K's get worse every year and hits worm burners. Can't field either. 65 OPS+. Absolutely worthless. He never adjusted to the league knowing to pitch him away. Everybody knows it. SLG 313...that's not survivable

He should start next year in AA and need to prove himself for 45 games before even thinking of moving him to AAA, and then 60 games there, at least, before bringing to MLB.

I predict he fails miserably.

Given what you say about his build, maybe he could take up a "hobby" and play for the Battlehawks...

He'd whiff there too

[Absolut]

Has management mess with him too much. They wanted lunch angle
To me sometimes hitters need to be left alone
Let then just hit
A .300 hitters is better than a .220 with a few homeruns

Mmmm. Lunch angle.

[renostl]

Has management mess with him too much. They wanted lunch angle
To me sometimes hitters need to be left alone
Let then just hit
A .300 hitters is better than a .220 with a few homeruns

LOL. He is built like a linebacker, K's get worse every year and hits worm burners. Can't field either. 65 OPS+. Absolutely worthless. He never adjusted to the league knowing to pitch him away. Everybody knows it. SLG 313...that's not survivable

He should start next year in AA and need to prove himself for 45 games before even thinking of moving him to AAA, and then 60 games there, at least, before bringing to MLB.

I predict he fails miserably.

The team ideally looks at him as the 6th OFer.

If he can one day become a hitter great.
Stop with the sabotaging of a better team.
Currently he could be the reincarnation of Edmonds in CF
and still not be hitting enough to get playing time.

On a Cardinal team where CF, SS, and C, all bring <.700 OPS the corners and DH
have to bring it.

Burleson in RF is an upgrade on both sides of the ball.
His .788 OPS would be #6 among qualified players behind 5 all stars Judge, Soto,
Carroll, Tucker, and Tatis's .800 OPS and ahead of Hernandez, Garcia, Butler. Production plays.

JJ at 3B if Donovan is kept at 2B, Let everyone in the org. battle for CF/LF with the
minimal standard being Nootbaar. Pitching, pitching, pitching.