Jatalk wrote: ↑11 Dec 2025 09:28 am
All the trade talk I’m reading seems to be centrally focused on getting pitching in return. When do we address the outfield? Our current roster includes good defensive outfielders that can’t hit or mediocre defensive players that also can’t hit or can hit but mediocre on defense. This is especially true if Donovan is traded.
I’m not as astute as many on CT so can someone discuss reasonable outfielders we might obtain and are MLB ready in the near term?
Honestly I see this as the most critical need. If I’m wrong excuse my ignorance.
It's both.
"Good pitching always beats good hitting, and vice versa" (Bob Veale)
Bloom needs to address both of those realities.
You are correct that the early focus has been pitching, but the outfield simply must be restructured.
I have enjoyed reading this thread and am gratified so many finally are beginning to understand that which I alone have correctly analyzed for more than a decade.
When everyone without exception was crowing that The Paper Tyler and The Poser gave STL an "elite outfield", a "top 5 outfield", an "MVP level outfielder", and so forth - I was the ONLY person who correctly stated that the outfield was in reality still the team weakness.
When everyone else without exception was proclaiming Lars The Human Sushi-baar to be a core player, an elite outfield bat, a "LH middle order bat", a "top leadoff hitter" and other equally ridiculous proclamations, I was the ONLY person who correctly understood and stated (for each of the past 4 years) that he must be traded while people were still fooled by him.
I was also the ONLY person who predicted Arozarena's stardom and his huge 2020 breakout - and the ONLY person (OK - there was one other) who correctly analyzed 3 years ago that Herrera should be moved to the outfield.
I recite that record not to tout my own perfect analysis on this topic in the past, but simply to confirm that everyone can place 100% confidence in me having the correct answer now.
To wit:
Mootbaar must be removed from the roster - the outfield improves simply by ridding the team of him.
Donovan should not be traded (yet) - and should be the starting LF in 2026.
Walker - not Donovan - is the correct trade piece.
The Cardinals should engage in trade conversations to obtain Pages - it can be done.
Herrera should be moved to the outfield immediately.
Scott should be given another season - there is real talent there, if it can be unlocked.
Josh Baez, after a monster breakout last season, may be ready for an MLB look in late 2026 - but Bloom must order The Marmot and MLB coaching staff to not tinker with the kid so that they do not derail yet another hitter as they have repeatedly done over the past few seasons.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.
