Wow, the Corners are a Problem: Gorman, Burly, Who's in LF, Walker in RF--How does Pitching Staff Overcome?

[Bully4you]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

No. Not this drastic. Walker isn’t lousy in right and must get better. He’s serviceable, while left is a black hole. Church could handle it but again a weaker corner bat.

Gorman is a no go.

However- if you put JJ on third, then you might develop the best infield in baseball.

JJ at third?
Who plays second then?
Saggese isn't great either.
Best infield in baseball?
Burly is just beginning to play 1st.
2nd base won't be anything special if JJ is at third.
Also, we don't know what we have with JJ yet.
I think he's a great hitter in the making, not sure how he'd be in the field.
I think he'll be awesome, but who knows.
Winn is the only one at this point that is incredible.
So, no way this is the best infield in baseball even with the best mix and matches.

[Bully4you]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

I agree that Burly will be average or a little better, but it will be adventurous.
Noot had a strange surgery on both feet.
Not sure he can be the same when he does return.
Also, what's the alternative.
Saggese, Herrera, Church (can't hit).
Not sure how they fill that position yet.

[ramfandan]

I look for Noot to be traded in 2026. Believe he figures his days are numbered too.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

No. Not this drastic. Walker isn’t lousy in right and must get better. He’s serviceable, while left is a black hole. Church could handle it but again a weaker corner bat.

Gorman is a no go.

However- if you put JJ on third, then you might develop the best infield in baseball.

JJ at third?
Who plays second then?
Saggese isn't great either.
Best infield in baseball?
Burly is just beginning to play 1st.
2nd base won't be anything special if JJ is at third.
Also, we don't know what we have with JJ yet.
I think he's a great hitter in the making, not sure how he'd be in the field.
I think he'll be awesome, but who knows.
Winn is the only one at this point that is incredible.
So, no way this is the best infield in baseball even with the best mix and matches.

Third like left and catcher are our un fielded positions.start a stud like JJ at third, maybe we get a George Brett redo.

That makes the best left side in baseball. Now second. Easiest position to play on the infield. Numerous players Can manage at league level.

[Bully4you]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

No. Not this drastic. Walker isn’t lousy in right and must get better. He’s serviceable, while left is a black hole. Church could handle it but again a weaker corner bat.

Gorman is a no go.

However- if you put JJ on third, then you might develop the best infield in baseball.

JJ at third?
Who plays second then?
Saggese isn't great either.
Best infield in baseball?
Burly is just beginning to play 1st.
2nd base won't be anything special if JJ is at third.
Also, we don't know what we have with JJ yet.
I think he's a great hitter in the making, not sure how he'd be in the field.
I think he'll be awesome, but who knows.
Winn is the only one at this point that is incredible.
So, no way this is the best infield in baseball even with the best mix and matches.

Third like left and catcher are our un fielded positions.start a stud like JJ at third, maybe we get a George Brett redo.

That makes the best left side in baseball. Now second. Easiest position to play on the infield. Numerous players Can manage at league level.

Well, in your scenario Winn is a stud.
JJ we just don't know yet Bulldog.
Maybe he is great.
So, left side lights out, okay I can dig it.
Right side is below average.
Under any scenario it will be below average.
Can't have the best in baseball with one side great and the other meh.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

No. Not this drastic. Walker isn’t lousy in right and must get better. He’s serviceable, while left is a black hole. Church could handle it but again a weaker corner bat.

Gorman is a no go.

However- if you put JJ on third, then you might develop the best infield in baseball.

JJ at third?
Who plays second then?
Saggese isn't great either.
Best infield in baseball?
Burly is just beginning to play 1st.
2nd base won't be anything special if JJ is at third.
Also, we don't know what we have with JJ yet.
I think he's a great hitter in the making, not sure how he'd be in the field.
I think he'll be awesome, but who knows.
Winn is the only one at this point that is incredible.
So, no way this is the best infield in baseball even with the best mix and matches.

Third like left and catcher are our un fielded positions.start a stud like JJ at third, maybe we get a George Brett redo.

That makes the best left side in baseball. Now second. Easiest position to play on the infield. Numerous players Can manage at league level.

Well, in your scenario Winn is a stud.
JJ we just don't know yet Bulldog.
Maybe he is great.
So, left side lights out, okay I can dig it.
Right side is below average.
Under any scenario it will be below average.
Can't have the best in baseball with one side great and the other meh.

I see your point, and raise ya one more. Second will be league average or better. That’s why we saturated the middle infield and also pitchers, to shake one out. Best athletes. Don’t worry about second.

Burleson. Will field most balls hit to him, catch most thrown to him, and hit ok. I too see him as league level.

That’s an infield of two studs and two yahoos. That’s about par across the sport.

[Bully4you]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

No. Not this drastic. Walker isn’t lousy in right and must get better. He’s serviceable, while left is a black hole. Church could handle it but again a weaker corner bat.

Gorman is a no go.

However- if you put JJ on third, then you might develop the best infield in baseball.

JJ at third?
Who plays second then?
Saggese isn't great either.
Best infield in baseball?
Burly is just beginning to play 1st.
2nd base won't be anything special if JJ is at third.
Also, we don't know what we have with JJ yet.
I think he's a great hitter in the making, not sure how he'd be in the field.
I think he'll be awesome, but who knows.
Winn is the only one at this point that is incredible.
So, no way this is the best infield in baseball even with the best mix and matches.

Third like left and catcher are our un fielded positions.start a stud like JJ at third, maybe we get a George Brett redo.

That makes the best left side in baseball. Now second. Easiest position to play on the infield. Numerous players Can manage at league level.

Well, in your scenario Winn is a stud.
JJ we just don't know yet Bulldog.
Maybe he is great.
So, left side lights out, okay I can dig it.
Right side is below average.
Under any scenario it will be below average.
Can't have the best in baseball with one side great and the other meh.

I see your point, and raise ya one more. Second will be league average or better. That’s why we saturated the middle infield and also pitchers, to shake one out. Best athletes. Don’t worry about second.

Burleson. Will field most balls hit to him, catch most thrown to him, and hit ok. I too see him as league level.

That’s an infield of two studs and two yahoos. That’s about par across the sport.

I'd have to analyze the other teams' defenders.
I just really don't know.
Crazier things have happened I guess!!

[sikeston bulldog2]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

No. Not this drastic. Walker isn’t lousy in right and must get better. He’s serviceable, while left is a black hole. Church could handle it but again a weaker corner bat.

Gorman is a no go.

However- if you put JJ on third, then you might develop the best infield in baseball.

JJ at third?
Who plays second then?
Saggese isn't great either.
Best infield in baseball?
Burly is just beginning to play 1st.
2nd base won't be anything special if JJ is at third.
Also, we don't know what we have with JJ yet.
I think he's a great hitter in the making, not sure how he'd be in the field.
I think he'll be awesome, but who knows.
Winn is the only one at this point that is incredible.
So, no way this is the best infield in baseball even with the best mix and matches.

Third like left and catcher are our un fielded positions.start a stud like JJ at third, maybe we get a George Brett redo.

That makes the best left side in baseball. Now second. Easiest position to play on the infield. Numerous players Can manage at league level.

Well, in your scenario Winn is a stud.
JJ we just don't know yet Bulldog.
Maybe he is great.
So, left side lights out, okay I can dig it.
Right side is below average.
Under any scenario it will be below average.
Can't have the best in baseball with one side great and the other meh.

I see your point, and raise ya one more. Second will be league average or better. That’s why we saturated the middle infield and also pitchers, to shake one out. Best athletes. Don’t worry about second.

Burleson. Will field most balls hit to him, catch most thrown to him, and hit ok. I too see him as league level.

That’s an infield of two studs and two yahoos. That’s about par across the sport.

I'd have to analyze the other teams' defenders.
I just really don't know.
Crazier things have happened I guess!!

I haven’t analyzed the other teams by team. I just think with two studs, and two average, would be a good group.

Maybe not the best, but in the conversation. That alone should fair well on the field.

[Melville]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

Let's see what happens.
I like my odds.
100% chance of me being correct.

[Melville]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

One of Mos worst areas of his job was roster construction. He was mailing it in for years. Thanks Mo!

John Mozeliak was a putz.

Super Slo Mo.
Best branding of any front office executive in MLB history.

[Melville]

I look for Noot to be traded in 2026. Believe he figures his days are numbered too.

Of course.
The team will be better the day he is gone - regardless of the return.
Even defensively.
Lars the Human Sushi-baar is a terrible left fielder.

[Melville]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

No. Not this drastic. Walker isn’t lousy in right and must get better. He’s serviceable, while left is a black hole. Church could handle it but again a weaker corner bat.

Gorman is a no go.

However- if you put JJ on third, then you might develop the best infield in baseball.

JJ at third?
Who plays second then?
Saggese isn't great either.
Best infield in baseball?
Burly is just beginning to play 1st.
2nd base won't be anything special if JJ is at third.
Also, we don't know what we have with JJ yet.
I think he's a great hitter in the making, not sure how he'd be in the field.
I think he'll be awesome, but who knows.
Winn is the only one at this point that is incredible.
So, no way this is the best infield in baseball even with the best mix and matches.

Third like left and catcher are our un fielded positions.start a stud like JJ at third, maybe we get a George Brett redo.

That makes the best left side in baseball. Now second. Easiest position to play on the infield. Numerous players Can manage at league level.

Well, in your scenario Winn is a stud.
JJ we just don't know yet Bulldog.
Maybe he is great.
So, left side lights out, okay I can dig it.
Right side is below average.
Under any scenario it will be below average.
Can't have the best in baseball with one side great and the other meh.

Wetherholt's glove has never been his calling card - and I have read quotes where he acknowledges as much.
That said, he was trusted enough to play some SS at the minor league level, so I suspect he will be plenty good enough at 2B.
Gorman turned himself into a league average defender at 2b and his skill set actually profiles much better at 3b (plus arm, good hands, limited range).
His issue last year was solely about the accuracy of his throw after he changed positions mid-year - and is unlikely to be a problem in 2026.
Burleson - like far too many young players under The Marmot's and Super Slo Mo's rudderless incompetence - was constantly shuffled between too many roles and positions to become established at any one of them.
He is a very good athlete and will be better than average at 1B.
Winn is a GG quality defender at SS and there is still upside in his bat.
There is ZERO question the infield has the talent to be among the best in the NL - provided the incompetence of The Marmot does not derail them.
Elite defense in CF.
Near elite defense at catcher provided Pages/Crooks get all the starts.
Are there questions at corner outfield?
Of course.
But Walker can't possibly be worse than last and the silver lining of Mootbaar's injury is that it creates opportunity for a better player to emerge.
The bar to improvement at both spots is ridiculously low.
The outfield is a disaster - but there is nothing new about that since I have been the only person on the planet to correctly understand that for the past decade.
Bottom line.
Zero excuse for the team to not have a winning record in 2026.

[Melville]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

I agree that Burly will be average or a little better, but it will be adventurous.
Noot had a strange surgery on both feet.
Not sure he can be the same when he does return.
Also, what's the alternative.
Saggese, Herrera, Church (can't hit).
Not sure how they fill that position yet.

Mootbaar on the shelf is better for the team than Mootbaar on the field.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Maybe the worst set of defenders in the league at these spots.
Hot Corner is occupied by the Unicorn--That's an adventure to say the least.
Burly at 1B?
Jordan Walker in RF? Well, we all know that's a joke.
Who's in LF? I don't know, but likely not impressive either.
And with the suspect pitching staff they currently employ.
Oh man, this will be a long year.
I almost forgot that they may place Herrera at catcher too!!
How much will this poor defense contribute to the staffs ERA in 2026?
Could it be a run or more?

3 of the four corner spots will have average or above defense.
Herrera will not be the primary catcher.

I would normally agree with you, but not in this instance.
Burleson is new to the position, but he will fare the best of the 4.
LF won't be occupied by Noot until later this year and who knows how he recovers
from that crazy surgery on both feet.
I heard rumblings that it could be Sag or Herrera as replacements?
Both are an utter disaster in the making.
Walker is lousy in RF.
Not much else to say about Walker.
Gorman will be below average at the hot corner.
You might be correct on Herrera.
I hope he is the DH and that's it.

No. Not this drastic. Walker isn’t lousy in right and must get better. He’s serviceable, while left is a black hole. Church could handle it but again a weaker corner bat.

Gorman is a no go.

However- if you put JJ on third, then you might develop the best infield in baseball.

JJ at third?
Who plays second then?
Saggese isn't great either.
Best infield in baseball?
Burly is just beginning to play 1st.
2nd base won't be anything special if JJ is at third.
Also, we don't know what we have with JJ yet.
I think he's a great hitter in the making, not sure how he'd be in the field.
I think he'll be awesome, but who knows.
Winn is the only one at this point that is incredible.
So, no way this is the best infield in baseball even with the best mix and matches.

Third like left and catcher are our un fielded positions.start a stud like JJ at third, maybe we get a George Brett redo.

That makes the best left side in baseball. Now second. Easiest position to play on the infield. Numerous players Can manage at league level.

Well, in your scenario Winn is a stud.
JJ we just don't know yet Bulldog.
Maybe he is great.
So, left side lights out, okay I can dig it.
Right side is below average.
Under any scenario it will be below average.
Can't have the best in baseball with one side great and the other meh.

Wetherholt's glove has never been his calling card - and I have read quotes where he acknowledges as much.
That said, he was trusted enough to play some SS at the minor league level, so I suspect he will be plenty good enough at 2B.
Gorman turned himself into a league average defender at 2b and his skill set actually profiles much better at 3b (plus arm, good hands, limited range).
His issue last year was solely about the accuracy of his throw after he changed positions mid-year - and is unlikely to be a problem in 2026.
Burleson - like far too many young players under The Marmot's and Super Slo Mo's rudderless incompetence - was constantly shuffled between too many roles and positions to become established at any one of them.
He is a very good athlete and will be better than average at 1B.
Winn is a GG quality defender at SS and there is still upside in his bat.
There is ZERO question the infield has the talent to be among the best in the NL - provided the incompetence of The Marmot does not derail them.
Elite defense in CF.
Near elite defense at catcher provided Pages/Crooks get all the starts.
Are there questions at corner outfield?
Of course.
But Walker can't possibly be worse than last and the silver lining of Mootbaar's injury is that it creates opportunity for a better player to emerge.
The bar to improvement at both spots is ridiculously low.
The outfield is a disaster - but there is nothing new about that since I have been the only person on the planet to correctly understand that for the past decade.
Bottom line.
Zero excuse for the team to not have a winning record in 2026.

You lost me at Gorman and good hands.

[rockondlouie]

Burly will be fine at 1st base.

LF will be fine once Noot is activated.

But 3rd base and RF are on their last legs here, sink or swim season for Gorman and Walker.

I agree that Burly will be average or a little better, but it will be adventurous.
Noot had a strange surgery on both feet.
Not sure he can be the same when he does return.
Also, what's the alternative.
Saggese, Herrera, Church (can't hit).
Not sure how they fill that position yet.

Yea I can see that too bully.

But I think Noot should be a lot better w/a solid base under him now w/two "new" heels.

And there's really no alternative, those you listed (other than I. Herrera) are "meh" to me.

[Melville]

With Noot on the shelf, Herrera was out in LF (wearing his 1st base mitt) taking reps there. Guess one shouldn't read a lot into that but Oli and the other coaches must be thinking that Herrera's bat should play there at least to start the season.
Anyone else think the season will begin with Herrera in LF spot ?

I have previously perfectly analyzed this matter and provided the correct answer. To quote me from one of the prior discussions on this topic:
"Bloom's inaction....makes is very, very obvious (as I alone have correctly analyzed and explained previously) that he wants to bet on Walker, Baez, and Herrera as RH hitting outfield candidates going into 2026 - and intends to only return to this topic when he is ready to move on from that trio as potential answers to the black hole which bedevils the team.
It is the ONLY reasonable conclusion because the only alternative is to believe Bloom is extremely stupid - which I do not believe in the case."
Herrera will be given a look as an outfielder - as I have been advising for the past 4 years - before the team decides to relegate him to DH duties.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.