Iván Herrera

[OldRed]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

[sikeston bulldog2]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Dr Davis. Calling Dr Davis.

Question - same injury or location, or new concern. That’s my first inquiry.

[Melville]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

[kyace]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

Don’t recall him being given a chance to play first base or left field. I’m thinking they were hoping he would stick at catcher first but at just turning 25 there is still time to try other positions.

[renostl]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

This might be where your competitive advantage has an angel that
we can see common ground.

He needs to be in the C/DH or 1B profile, IMO.
He does not need to be next in line for the Cardinals with
"put IV out there and let's see what he can do"
1 solid .800+ out there changes the dynamic of the team to division contender.

[Melville]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

Don’t recall him being given a chance to play first base or left field. I’m thinking they were hoping he would stick at catcher first but at just turning 25 there is still time to try other positions.

He has played a little 1B in winter ball.
I said 3 years ago he should be moved to LF - but it is becoming likely that ship has sailed.
The problem with 1b is that Contreras and Burleson are already proven - and therefore ahead of him.
And having a full time DH is a thing of the past for most MLB teams.
Odds are overwhelming that the team should trade him if his value is high this off-season.
Pretty much the only pathway to keeping him is as a LF - which is something they should have investigated long ago.
If they do keep him, he should spend the entire off-season trying to make that switch.

[Ozziesfan41]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

No. This is the first chance he’s been given to actually play every day in the majors

[moose-and-squirrel]

put a guy with bad legs in the OF where he's never played before

what could go wrong

[Melville]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

This might be where your competitive advantage has an angel that
we can see common ground.

He needs to be in the C/DH or 1B profile, IMO.
He does not need to be next in line for the Cardinals with
"put IV out there and let's see what he can do"
1 solid .800+ out there changes the dynamic of the team to division contender.

Problem is, he is behind both Contreras and Burleson, each of whom has been a better player than Herrera overall so far.
Bad gamble to replace them with an inferior option.
Bottom line.
The team has an awful roster construction right now.
There just isn't a good fit for him.
Not his fault.
Simply the reality.
He is one of several Cardinals facing that dilemma currently.
Trades are the only cure for that.

[Melville]

put a guy with bad legs in the OF where he's never played before

what could go wrong

Exactly.
As I said, that ship has probably sailed.
STL could give it a shot if they are determined to keep him, but it is a risky bet.
Again, if his value is high this off-season, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to trade him.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

[Melville]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

No. This is the first chance he’s been given to actually play every day in the majors

Incorrect.
He was gifted the starting catcher job each of the past 2 seasons - and lost it to his backup within 30 games each time.
Huge red flag.

[Ozziesfan41]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

No. This is the first chance he’s been given to actually play every day in the majors

Incorrect.
He was gifted the starting catcher job each of the past 2 seasons - and lost it to his backup within 30 games each time.
Huge red flag.

Incorrect. he has not been given the chance to play every day if you are given the chance to play every day you actually play every day that’s like saying Gorman was given the chance to play every day this season but lost the job. You can’t be given the chance to play every day when you don’t play every day it’s not hard

[TraveledLessRoad]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

Don’t recall him being given a chance to play first base or left field. I’m thinking they were hoping he would stick at catcher first but at just turning 25 there is still time to try other positions.

He has played a little 1B in winter ball.
I said 3 years ago he should be moved to LF - but it is becoming likely that ship has sailed.
The problem with 1b is that Contreras and Burleson are already proven - and therefore ahead of him.
And having a full time DH is a thing of the past for most MLB teams.
Odds are overwhelming that the team should trade him if his value is high this off-season.
Pretty much the only pathway to keeping him is as a LF - which is something they should have investigated long ago.
If they do keep him, he should spend the entire off-season trying to make that switch.

You don't trade the only true slugger on your team. I don't care if he has a position at all. Having a bat is a position this team desperately needs

[Melville]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

No. This is the first chance he’s been given to actually play every day in the majors

Incorrect.
He was gifted the starting catcher job each of the past 2 seasons - and lost it to his backup within 30 games each time.
Huge red flag.

Incorrect. he has not been given the chance to play every day if you are given the chance to play every day you actually play every day

Respectfully, you are denying the meaning of your own words.
You claimed he has never been given the CHANCE to play every day.
Factually, he has been given that very chance each of the past 2 seasons - he was the strafing catcher each of the past 2 seasons.
And lost that gifted assignment both times in about a month.
Neither the pitchers nor the coaching staff want him behind the plate on a regular basis (with good reason, obviously) - despite being given the CHANCE in 2024 and again in 2025.
Like it or not, he needs to follow the Schwarber and Varsho route.
Goodman out in Colorado will as well.
That is simply a baseball reality.
And you have my personal guarantee that no one knows that better than Herrera himself.
He has no position - and will quickly run out of time to find one.
Few teams have long term use for a 25 year old full time DH.

[Ozziesfan41]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

No. This is the first chance he’s been given to actually play every day in the majors

Incorrect.
He was gifted the starting catcher job each of the past 2 seasons - and lost it to his backup within 30 games each time.
Huge red flag.

Incorrect. he has not been given the chance to play every day if you are given the chance to play every day you actually play every day

Respectfully, you are denying the meaning of your own words.
You claimed he has never been given the CHANCE to play every day.
Factually, he has been given that very chance each of the past 2 seasons - he was the strafing catcher each of the past 2 seasons.
And lost that gifted assignment both times in about a month.
Neither the pitchers nor the coaching staff want him behind the plate on a regular basis (with good reason, obviously) - despite being given the CHANCE in 2024 and again in 2025.
Like it or not, he needs to follow the Schwarber and Varsho route.
Goodman out in Colorado will as well.
That is simply a baseball reality.
And you have my personal guarantee that no one knows that better than Herrera himself.
He has no position - and will quickly run out of time to find one.
Few teams have long term use for a 25 year old full time DH.

No if you are given the chance to play every day you play every day it’s not hard he never played every day he was given limited playing time. This is the first season he’s been given to actually play everyday and he’s the best hitter on the team it would be dumb to trade the best hitter on the team

[moose-and-squirrel]

Two stints on IL in first half of the season.

Any concerns?

Yes.
There are 9 positions on a baseball field.
Now in his 9th season as a professional baseball player, he has yet to provide any indication of being able to play even one of them.

No. This is the first chance he’s been given to actually play every day in the majors

Incorrect.
He was gifted the starting catcher job each of the past 2 seasons - and lost it to his backup within 30 games each time.
Huge red flag.

Incorrect. he has not been given the chance to play every day if you are given the chance to play every day you actually play every day

Respectfully, you are denying the meaning of your own words.
You claimed he has never been given the CHANCE to play every day.
Factually, he has been given that very chance each of the past 2 seasons - he was the strafing catcher each of the past 2 seasons.
And lost that gifted assignment both times in about a month.
Neither the pitchers nor the coaching staff want him behind the plate on a regular basis (with good reason, obviously) - despite being given the CHANCE in 2024 and again in 2025.
Like it or not, he needs to follow the Schwarber and Varsho route.
Goodman out in Colorado will as well.
That is simply a baseball reality.
And you have my personal guarantee that no one knows that better than Herrera himself.
He has no position - and will quickly run out of time to find one.
Few teams have long term use for a 25 year old full time DH.

No if you are given the chance to play every day you play every day it’s not hard he never played every day he was given limited playing time. This is the first season he’s been given to actually play everyday and he’s the best hitter on the team it would be dumb to trade the best hitter on the team

he's been given the chance and he's proven he's the worst catcher on the roster.
and given the chance is not the same as playing him every day.

he's a fine hitter, just a lousy catcher

and to the roster construction comment.. while I don't think it's disastrous, def too many round pegs and square holes