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There will probably be another injury that will make the decision easier. But Baker will be the first to go. It may be that Pozo would be the better right-handed bat to take Baker's place.

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 08:59 am

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 08:28 am Does Siani really need to replace VS2 in CF as a defensive replacement?

Do the Cards need a RH threat at the plate who plays 1b?

Well Siani doesn’t replace VS2, he typically replaces Walker, but Walker has been much improved defensively this year to the point that I don’t even think they really need to replace him late in the game.

When healthy team should be

C- Herrera/Pages
1B- Contreras
2B- Donovan
3B- Arenado
SS- Winn
LF- Nootbaar
CF- Scott
RF- Walker
DH- Gorman

Bench
Pages/Herrera
Saggese

And then you determine the last 2 spots between Burleson/Baker/Siani/Pozo/whoever is doing well in Memphis that could help. Koperniak hasn’t really forced his spot yet this year unfortunately although his play last year should have earned him a spot.

Agee 100% as well. Problem is Mo/Oli keep giving Burleson regular playing time. That has to stop when Herrera and Winn return. Or sooner.

3dender wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 07:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 07:35 am I think Baker goes down. He's just not a fit on the team. He's our third string 1B, maybe even fourth, since Donovan has time there. And we've already got a lot of guys who I'd rather see in the DH spot than Baker. If Baker has to stay, then I send Siani down.

It's tough bc Baker theoretically has the potential to provide more value than Siani as a RH power bat off the bench (but never at #2 in the order ofc). But right now Siani is providing more value with his elite defense + noodle bat, bc Baker hasn't tapped that power in actual games.

And we also don't know if Baker's theoretical ceiling is even in reach, cause he may just be a Quad-A guy who had his career year in 2023.

Basically I don't think there's a definite wrong decision between sending down Baker and Siani. Sending down Saggese would be wrong though.

My feelings exactly. If we'd been struggling to score runs all year, then I'd say Siani. But we HAVE been scoring runs, and I just feel like Baker's skills are redundant here.

He plays first base. We have Contreras and Burly to do that. Donovan can do that. Pozo can also play first base. I suspect Pages and Herrera (when he comes back) can also moonlight well enough at first.

Baker doesn't run well.

He does hit home runs sometimes--but again, we're doing pretty well with getting guys across the plate.

On the other hand--Siani is fast. That's a useful skill on both sides of the ball. He plays defense well. But he can't hit. I think at this point, Siani gives you two skills that are important...Baker gives one, and the one he gives we don't really need right now. Barring injury, I keep Siani

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 08:59 am

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 08:28 am Does Siani really need to replace VS2 in CF as a defensive replacement?

Do the Cards need a RH threat at the plate who plays 1b?

Well Siani doesn’t replace VS2, he typically replaces Walker, but Walker has been much improved defensively this year to the point that I don’t even think they really need to replace him late in the game.

When healthy team should be

C- Herrera/Pages
1B- Contreras
2B- Donovan
3B- Arenado
SS- Winn
LF- Nootbaar
CF- Scott
RF- Walker
DH- Gorman

Bench
Pages/Herrera
Saggese

And then you determine the last 2 spots between Burleson/Baker/Siani/Pozo/whoever is doing well in Memphis that could help. Koperniak hasn’t really forced his spot yet this year unfortunately although his play last year should have earned him a spot.

Bingo

As long as Hererra also gets some DH time when not catching (vs LHP?), I don't want that bat to ever go cold.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 12:38 pm

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 08:59 am

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 08:28 am Does Siani really need to replace VS2 in CF as a defensive replacement?

Do the Cards need a RH threat at the plate who plays 1b?

Well Siani doesn’t replace VS2, he typically replaces Walker, but Walker has been much improved defensively this year to the point that I don’t even think they really need to replace him late in the game.

When healthy team should be

C- Herrera/Pages
1B- Contreras
2B- Donovan
3B- Arenado
SS- Winn
LF- Nootbaar
CF- Scott
RF- Walker
DH- Gorman

Bench
Pages/Herrera
Saggese

And then you determine the last 2 spots between Burleson/Baker/Siani/Pozo/whoever is doing well in Memphis that could help. Koperniak hasn’t really forced his spot yet this year unfortunately although his play last year should have earned him a spot.

Bingo

As long as Hererra also gets some DH time when not catching (vs LHP?), I don't want that bat to ever go cold.

Does it go cold sitting on IL. Rythm and mental ness are real.

Shady wrote: ↑16 Apr 2025 20:16 pm When Winn comes back. Saggese can hit. A needed RHB against LHP, at least. He plays numerous positions on the infield. Play GM.

Better off sending him down where he can play every day than limiting a young player to only vs LHP which is only 30% of MLB plate appearances.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 13:03 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 12:38 pm

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 08:59 am

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 08:28 am Does Siani really need to replace VS2 in CF as a defensive replacement?

Do the Cards need a RH threat at the plate who plays 1b?

Well Siani doesn’t replace VS2, he typically replaces Walker, but Walker has been much improved defensively this year to the point that I don’t even think they really need to replace him late in the game.

When healthy team should be

C- Herrera/Pages
1B- Contreras
2B- Donovan
3B- Arenado
SS- Winn
LF- Nootbaar
CF- Scott
RF- Walker
DH- Gorman

Bench
Pages/Herrera
Saggese

And then you determine the last 2 spots between Burleson/Baker/Siani/Pozo/whoever is doing well in Memphis that could help. Koperniak hasn’t really forced his spot yet this year unfortunately although his play last year should have earned him a spot.

Bingo

As long as Hererra also gets some DH time when not catching (vs LHP?), I don't want that bat to ever go cold.

Does it go cold sitting on IL. Rythm and mental ness are real.

Hope not

ScotchMIrish wrote: ↑17 Apr 2025 13:43 pm

Shady wrote: ↑16 Apr 2025 20:16 pm When Winn comes back. Saggese can hit. A needed RHB against LHP, at least. He plays numerous positions on the infield. Play GM.

Better off sending him down where he can play every day than limiting a young player to only vs LHP which is only 30% of MLB plate appearances.

The Cardinals need Saggese on the team for numerous reasons. Problem is, there might not be room for him when Winn returns. So yes, regular ABs at Memphis for a while may be the move.