Carp4Cy wrote: ↑25 Jan 2026 11:58 am
So many of our players are JAGs/filler/warm bodies/easily replaceable. And many of the position player prospects don’t profile much better:
Siani - already gone
Nado/ Willson - also gone
Scott-serviceable I guess, but far from a game changing contributor
Winn- we keep him , but he’s not AS level, yet
Burly - Same as Winn, but also might we worth trading IF we can get a plus player at a position of great need.
JJW. That’s one we can hopefully build around. But don’t expect him to be Pujols or Witt or Soto or Judge level MOTOB.
Walker/Gorman? How many years is it gonna take to see what we’ve got?
Donny - probably gets traded. And for what?
Sagesse - another warm body, easily replaced
Baez - what is his likely ceiling anyway? Maybe he profiles as a serviceable starter at best but is he a plus player? Most MVP candidates were further along at this point in their careers.
Pages - probably not a starter for a playoff team
RaRod- a long ways away
Still having a hard time envisioning a Pujols/Drew/Renteria/Sanders/Matheny type Core
Or a Pujols/Rolen/Edmonds/Yadi roster.
Good synopsis:
2026 will certainly need to address a number of questions.
I like Scott for his tools but his plate discipline needs major work.
Is 2026 make or break for Gorman/Walker/Noot?
JJ hopefully is a keeper.
Some good Catchers in the pipeline and Josh Baez could make some noise.
2026 certainly won’t lack for intrigue!
Agreed except for Baez. I just don't see him progressing enough to have an impact. That strikeout rate worries me.
Baez was drafted as a top prospect. Up until last season he was mediocre with some injury issues.
Big season in 2025. Now.....was that a breakout or a one time thing?
You are correct that he has to duplicate/build on 2025 before he becomes a factor!
Fingers crossed and I admit to being an optimist.
Intrigued by his “tools”.
rockondlouie wrote: ↑26 Jan 2026 08:28 am
*Position players on the current 26 man roster who will be part of the L-T (re: five years or more- 2030) future IMO:
-JJW (he's going to be on the OD roster)
-Hererra
-Winn
*Position players who could be:
-Burleson
-VSII
*Position players likely on their way out after 2026 season unless they have a big turnaround this year:
-Gorman
-Walker
*No shot being here in five years:
-Donny (unless they don't get what they're seeking and do ink him L-T)
-Noot
-Pages
-Crooks
-Saggese
-Fermin
-Church
*Starting Pitchers/Relievers currently on the 26 man roster w/an outside chance to be here five years from now:
-McGreevy
-Libby
-Svanson
-O'Brein
-Leahy
All other pitchers, gone
JMO
Five years is eternal. New decade. Far too many moves made to predict who will be here by name in five years. Maybe three.
rockondlouie wrote: ↑26 Jan 2026 08:28 am
*Position players on the current 26 man roster who will be part of the L-T (re: five years or more- 2030) future IMO:
-JJW (he's going to be on the OD roster)
-Hererra
-Winn
*Position players who could be:
-Burleson
-VSII
*Position players likely on their way out after 2026 season unless they have a big turnaround this year:
-Gorman
-Walker
*No shot being here in five years:
-Donny (unless they don't get what they're seeking and do ink him L-T)
-Noot
-Pages
-Crooks
-Saggese
-Fermin
-Church
*Starting Pitchers/Relievers currently on the 26 man roster w/an outside chance to be here five years from now:
-McGreevy
-Libby
-Svanson
-O'Brein
-Leahy
All other pitchers, gone
JMO
Five years is eternal. New decade. Far too many moves made to predict who will be here by name in five years. Maybe three.
Key word in the title BDog:
COMPETITVE
I take that to mean for a World Series, not just a playoff spot.
rockondlouie wrote: ↑26 Jan 2026 08:28 am
*Position players on the current 26 man roster who will be part of the L-T (re: five years or more- 2030) future IMO:
-JJW (he's going to be on the OD roster)
-Hererra
-Winn
*Position players who could be:
-Burleson
-VSII
*Position players likely on their way out after 2026 season unless they have a big turnaround this year:
-Gorman
-Walker
*No shot being here in five years:
-Donny (unless they don't get what they're seeking and do ink him L-T)
-Noot
-Pages
-Crooks
-Saggese
-Fermin
-Church
*Starting Pitchers/Relievers currently on the 26 man roster w/an outside chance to be here five years from now:
-McGreevy
-Libby
-Svanson
-O'Brein
-Leahy
All other pitchers, gone
JMO
Five years is eternal. New decade. Far too many moves made to predict who will be here by name in five years. Maybe three.
Key word in the title BDog:
COMPETITVE
I take that to mean for a World Series, not just a playoff spot.
Another key word- Future. That’s an indef. I’m referring to all the player acquisitions in the next three years, that have no names yet. They can not be accounted for, yet.
Those unknown players will greatly skew any long term predictions. All I’m saying.
rockondlouie wrote: ↑26 Jan 2026 08:28 am
*Position players on the current 26 man roster who will be part of the L-T (re: five years or more- 2030) future IMO:
-JJW (he's going to be on the OD roster)
-Hererra
-Winn
*Position players who could be:
-Burleson
-VSII
*Position players likely on their way out after 2026 season unless they have a big turnaround this year:
-Gorman
-Walker
*No shot being here in five years:
-Donny (unless they don't get what they're seeking and do ink him L-T)
-Noot
-Pages
-Crooks
-Saggese
-Fermin
-Church
*Starting Pitchers/Relievers currently on the 26 man roster w/an outside chance to be here five years from now:
-McGreevy
-Libby
-Svanson
-O'Brein
-Leahy
All other pitchers, gone
JMO
Five years is eternal. New decade. Far too many moves made to predict who will be here by name in five years. Maybe three.
Key word in the title BDog:
COMPETITVE
I take that to mean for a World Series, not just a playoff spot.
Another key word- Future. That’s an indef. I’m referring to all the player acquisitions in the next three years, that have no names yet. They can not be accounted for, yet.
Those unknown players will greatly skew any long term predictions. All I’m saying.
I'll stick w/my post, there are only a small handful of players who will be here in five (or even your three) years.
This roster needs to be almost completely overhauled to be "competitive".
rockondlouie wrote: ↑26 Jan 2026 08:28 am
*Position players on the current 26 man roster who will be part of the L-T (re: five years or more- 2030) future IMO:
-JJW (he's going to be on the OD roster)
-Hererra
-Winn
*Position players who could be:
-Burleson
-VSII
*Position players likely on their way out after 2026 season unless they have a big turnaround this year:
-Gorman
-Walker
*No shot being here in five years:
-Donny (unless they don't get what they're seeking and do ink him L-T)
-Noot
-Pages
-Crooks
-Saggese
-Fermin
-Church
*Starting Pitchers/Relievers currently on the 26 man roster w/an outside chance to be here five years from now:
-McGreevy
-Libby
-Svanson
-O'Brein
-Leahy
All other pitchers, gone
JMO
Five years is eternal. New decade. Far too many moves made to predict who will be here by name in five years. Maybe three.
Key word in the title BDog:
COMPETITVE
I take that to mean for a World Series, not just a playoff spot.
Another key word- Future. That’s an indef. I’m referring to all the player acquisitions in the next three years, that have no names yet. They can not be accounted for, yet.
Those unknown players will greatly skew any long term predictions. All I’m saying.
I'll stick w/my post, there are only a small handful of players who will be here in five (or even your three) years.
This roster needs to be almost completely overhauled to be "competitive".
rockondlouie wrote: ↑26 Jan 2026 08:28 am
*Position players on the current 26 man roster who will be part of the L-T (re: five years or more- 2030) future IMO:
-JJW (he's going to be on the OD roster)
-Hererra
-Winn
*Position players who could be:
-Burleson
-VSII
*Position players likely on their way out after 2026 season unless they have a big turnaround this year:
-Gorman
-Walker
*No shot being here in five years:
-Donny (unless they don't get what they're seeking and do ink him L-T)
-Noot
-Pages
-Crooks
-Saggese
-Fermin
-Church
*Starting Pitchers/Relievers currently on the 26 man roster w/an outside chance to be here five years from now:
-McGreevy
-Libby
-Svanson
-O'Brein
-Leahy
All other pitchers, gone
JMO
Five years is eternal. New decade. Far too many moves made to predict who will be here by name in five years. Maybe three.
Key word in the title BDog:
COMPETITVE
I take that to mean for a World Series, not just a playoff spot.
Another key word- Future. That’s an indef. I’m referring to all the player acquisitions in the next three years, that have no names yet. They can not be accounted for, yet.
Those unknown players will greatly skew any long term predictions. All I’m saying.
I'll stick w/my post, there are only a small handful of players who will be here in five (or even your three) years.
This roster needs to be almost completely overhauled to be "competitive".
rockondlouie wrote: ↑26 Jan 2026 08:28 am
*Position players on the current 26 man roster who will be part of the L-T (re: five years or more- 2030) future IMO:
-JJW (he's going to be on the OD roster)
-Hererra
-Winn
*Position players who could be:
-Burleson
-VSII
*Position players likely on their way out after 2026 season unless they have a big turnaround this year:
-Gorman
-Walker
*No shot being here in five years:
-Donny (unless they don't get what they're seeking and do ink him L-T)
-Noot
-Pages
-Crooks
-Saggese
-Fermin
-Church
*Starting Pitchers/Relievers currently on the 26 man roster w/an outside chance to be here five years from now:
-McGreevy
-Libby
-Svanson
-O'Brein
-Leahy
All other pitchers, gone
JMO
Five years is eternal. New decade. Far too many moves made to predict who will be here by name in five years. Maybe three.
Key word in the title BDog:
COMPETITVE
I take that to mean for a World Series, not just a playoff spot.
Another key word- Future. That’s an indef. I’m referring to all the player acquisitions in the next three years, that have no names yet. They can not be accounted for, yet.
Those unknown players will greatly skew any long term predictions. All I’m saying.
I'll stick w/my post, there are only a small handful of players who will be here in five (or even your three) years.
This roster needs to be almost completely overhauled to be "competitive".
I’m not opposed to your handful.
Sad isn't it?
If we luck out, maybe two handfuls. That may suffice.
Carp4Cy wrote: ↑25 Jan 2026 11:58 am
So many of our players are JAGs/filler/warm bodies/easily replaceable. And many of the position player prospects don’t profile much better:
Siani - already gone
Nado/ Willson - also gone
Scott-serviceable I guess, but far from a game changing contributor
Winn- we keep him , but he’s not AS level, yet
Burly - Same as Winn, but also might we worth trading IF we can get a plus player at a position of great need.
JJW. That’s one we can hopefully build around. But don’t expect him to be Pujols or Witt or Soto or Judge level MOTOB.
Walker/Gorman? How many years is it gonna take to see what we’ve got?
Donny - probably gets traded. And for what?
Sagesse - another warm body, easily replaced
Baez - what is his likely ceiling anyway? Maybe he profiles as a serviceable starter at best but is he a plus player? Most MVP candidates were further along at this point in their careers.
Pages - probably not a starter for a playoff team
RaRod- a long ways away
Still having a hard time envisioning a Pujols/Drew/Renteria/Sanders/Matheny type Core
Or a Pujols/Rolen/Edmonds/Yadi roster.
Good synopsis:
2026 will certainly need to address a number of questions.
I like Scott for his tools but his plate discipline needs major work.
Is 2026 make or break for Gorman/Walker/Noot?
JJ hopefully is a keeper.
Some good Catchers in the pipeline and Josh Baez could make some noise.
2026 certainly won’t lack for intrigue!
Agreed except for Baez. I just don't see him progressing enough to have an impact. That strikeout rate worries me.
He cut his K rate last year fifteen points, from 35.5% to 20.6%... he reworked his swing and is a highly viable prospect again.
Yeah, hopefully that is a trend and not just an aberration. I would expect that to jump up significantly again though as he plays against the higher levels of competition.
pitchingandefense wrote: ↑25 Jan 2026 21:21 pm
If we’re looking for a core MV3 who can post 4-5+ WAR per season, the Cards are close to having that.
Winn has already established himself at a very young age as the premier fielding SS in the NL who still has room to grow offensively. Easy 4+ WAR guy moving forward.
Wetherholt is going to be a 5+ WAR player by 2027.
So who will be the third guy? Not Herrera and Burleson, though they will continue to hit. Their defensive values will limit them to 3 WAR, and that’s okay.
The third guy will be Baez. He will be the best defensive RF we have seen in STL in a while, and he’s going to provide an exciting power/speed combo that will make him a perennial 4-5+ WAR player.
Sorry but Masyn Winn will never be a core MV3 player. He doesn't have near the offensive upside needed to be an aircraft carrier. Love Winn, but he will not ever be that guy.
pitchingandefense wrote: ↑25 Jan 2026 21:21 pm
If we’re looking for a core MV3 who can post 4-5+ WAR per season, the Cards are close to having that.
Winn has already established himself at a very young age as the premier fielding SS in the NL who still has room to grow offensively. Easy 4+ WAR guy moving forward.
Wetherholt is going to be a 5+ WAR player by 2027.
So who will be the third guy? Not Herrera and Burleson, though they will continue to hit. Their defensive values will limit them to 3 WAR, and that’s okay.
The third guy will be Baez. He will be the best defensive RF we have seen in STL in a while, and he’s going to provide an exciting power/speed combo that will make him a perennial 4-5+ WAR player.
Sorry but Masyn Winn will never be a core MV3 player. He doesn't have near the offensive upside needed to be an aircraft carrier. Love Winn, but he will not ever be that guy.
A defensive star, especially at a premium position, can absolutely be a cornerstone piece of a team, especially if their bat isn't a black hole.
pitchingandefense wrote: ↑25 Jan 2026 21:21 pm
If we’re looking for a core MV3 who can post 4-5+ WAR per season, the Cards are close to having that.
Winn has already established himself at a very young age as the premier fielding SS in the NL who still has room to grow offensively. Easy 4+ WAR guy moving forward.
Wetherholt is going to be a 5+ WAR player by 2027.
So who will be the third guy? Not Herrera and Burleson, though they will continue to hit. Their defensive values will limit them to 3 WAR, and that’s okay.
The third guy will be Baez. He will be the best defensive RF we have seen in STL in a while, and he’s going to provide an exciting power/speed combo that will make him a perennial 4-5+ WAR player.
Sorry but Masyn Winn will never be a core MV3 player. He doesn't have near the offensive upside needed to be an aircraft carrier. Love Winn, but he will not ever be that guy.
A defensive star, especially at a premium position, can absolutely be a cornerstone piece of a team, especially if their bat isn't a black hole.
Definitely a good piece for the team, no doubt.
An aircraft carrier? No shot!
Pujols, Edmonds, and Rolen were stellar defensively AND carried the offense. Winn isn't that kind of player.
