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Pozo's offensive numbers in small sample size look pretty good. Is Pages defense that much better than Pozo's to give Pages the edge on who starts the most, and I should also add rapport with the pitchers, which I assume the Cards think Pages also has the edge?
IF the Cards traded away a C before the deadline, I don't want it to be Crooks before he gets the opportunity to show how he looks at the show, but instead have it be either Pages or Pozo that gets traded.
Decent established C's are often in need for contenders as the grind of a season wears on.
Another question would be which current C is a better future mentor for Crooks, then later on Bernal, and how important is that factor?
If one of Pages or Pozo were traded now, then in this scenario Crooks gets called up and Bernal gets promoted to Memphis for the rest of this season.
Granted, the Cards wouldn't probably want to trade away Pages and upset the pitchers if they think that would be likely to happen.
Pozo's only 28 yrs. old btw.

Pages is only 26 years old for comp with Pozo, FYI.

____ or pages?


I’m going ____.

Pages defense and handling pitchers while very good isn't at a level that justifies more than a position sharing role w/Pozo who can flat out hit!

If Crooks isn't here in 2026 and those two are the catchers, then it needs to be a 50-50 split.

Bernal is the one I've been paying attention to, when he's ready he's the FT catcher.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:12 pm Pages defense and handling pitchers while very good isn't at a level that justifies more than a position sharing role w/Pozo who can flat out hit!

If Crooks isn't here in 2026 and those two are the catchers, then it needs to be a 50-50 split.

Bernal is the one I've been paying attention to, when he's ready he's the FT catcher.

Thanks for the reply.
So do you think Pozo's handling of the P's and defense is at least on the adequate side?
I'm still somewhat confused about the reset.
If it's a reset, I want to see how Crooks looks in a limited role with the Cards in the 2nd half with Bernal getting promoted to see how he adjust to AAA.
If it's going for the wild card, then you stick with the Pozo/Pages tandem the rest of the year. Pozo's bat, granted in SSS, gets attention.
Is Pages so good in other areas trading him away would be concerning? Can his bat improve significantly?

rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:12 pm Pages defense and handling pitchers while very good isn't at a level that justifies more than a position sharing role w/Pozo who can flat out hit!

If Crooks isn't here in 2026 and those two are the catchers, then it needs to be a 50-50 split.

Bernal is the one I've been paying attention to, when he's ready he's the FT catcher.

More like PC Primary Catcher rather than FT Full Time catcher .. Usually managers play primary catcher between 100 -120 games per year ..
a few may play more . Managers want to give rest to the most demanding position on the field ... Ex. afternoon games after a night game often , certainly the few double headers due to rain outs won't have the primary catcher in both games. Also hot summer weather may need to have your primary catcher not catch the entire series of games.
If a Bernal would be the primary catcher , someone would need t pick up the other 30- 40 games or so.

I'm a little mystified on Pozo - he's 28 years old and has hit nearly .800 OPS in the minors, so why haven't teams given him a shot before now? He also hasn't been a regular in the minors most years, but more of a shared role without ABs at DH. So I'm not convinced, but it does appear he can hit a bit.

Pages is a below average talent that we need to find a replacement for sooner than later.

The answer is never Pages.

ramfandan wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:25 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:12 pm Pages defense and handling pitchers while very good isn't at a level that justifies more than a position sharing role w/Pozo who can flat out hit!

If Crooks isn't here in 2026 and those two are the catchers, then it needs to be a 50-50 split.

Bernal is the one I've been paying attention to, when he's ready he's the FT catcher.

More like PC Primary Catcher rather than FT Full Time catcher .. Usually managers play primary catcher between 100 -120 games per year ..
a few may play more . Managers want to give rest to the most demanding position on the field ... Ex. afternoon games after a night game often , certainly the few double headers due to rain outs won't have the primary catcher in both games. Also hot summer weather may need to have your primary catcher not catch the entire series of games.
If a Bernal would be the primary catcher , someone would need t pick up the other 30- 40 games or so.

That's one nice thing about Pages/Pozo. Neither should balk at being a backup for a team.
And if Bernal's bat earns more exposure, DH him some.

sdaltons wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:28 pm The answer is never Pages.

So would you think it a decent plan to trade Pages away before the deadline and promote Crooks?

JDW wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:21 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:12 pm Pages defense and handling pitchers while very good isn't at a level that justifies more than a position sharing role w/Pozo who can flat out hit!

If Crooks isn't here in 2026 and those two are the catchers, then it needs to be a 50-50 split.

Bernal is the one I've been paying attention to, when he's ready he's the FT catcher.

Thanks for the reply.
So do you think Pozo's handling of the P's and defense is at least on the adequate side?
I'm still somewhat confused about the reset.
If it's a reset, I want to see how Crooks looks in a limited role with the Cards in the 2nd half with Bernal getting promoted to see how he adjust to AAA.
If it's going for the wild card, then you stick with the Pozo/Pages tandem the rest of the year. Pozo's bat, granted in SSS, gets attention.
Is Pages so good in other areas trading him away would be concerning? Can his bat improve significantly?

For the offense he brings yes, Pozo's defense is adequate.

I know the staff ERA is much better w/Pages but I also wonder if Pozo's would improve if he got more starts and was able to get to know his pitchers strengths/weaknesses better?

Crooks could indeed be here in 2026.

If that's the case, then one gets dealt.

ramfandan wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:25 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:12 pm Pages defense and handling pitchers while very good isn't at a level that justifies more than a position sharing role w/Pozo who can flat out hit!

If Crooks isn't here in 2026 and those two are the catchers, then it needs to be a 50-50 split.

Bernal is the one I've been paying attention to, when he's ready he's the FT catcher.

More like PC Primary Catcher rather than FT Full Time catcher .. Usually managers play primary catcher between 100 -120 games per year ..
a few may play more . Managers want to give rest to the most demanding position on the field ... Ex. afternoon games after a night game often , certainly the few double headers due to rain outs won't have the primary catcher in both games. Also hot summer weather may need to have your primary catcher not catch the entire series of games.
If a Bernal would be the primary catcher , someone would need t pick up the other 30- 40 games or so.

That, of course, is what FT catcher means RFD (110-120 games).

JDW wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:30 pm

sdaltons wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:28 pm The answer is never Pages.

So would you think it a decent plan to trade Pages away before the deadline and promote Crooks?

Yes, I like this suggestion. Oli overuses Pages. I know all managers have their favorites, but Pozo has earned way more starts than he receives. Let's package Pages with a pending free agent and a middle infielder for young talent at pitcher or RH/OF.

JDW wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:30 pm

sdaltons wrote: ↑14 Jul 2025 14:28 pm The answer is never Pages.

So would you think it a decent plan to trade Pages away before the deadline and promote Crooks?

I mean sure but I can't see Pages adding much value to a trade package.

Pages is Knizner caliber. Not as good imo. If he has to move more than 4 inches the poor Pitcher is gettin a wild pitch added to his stats. If he's your starter you need to be looking for another.

If Crooks makes the team as a starter next year, they should keep Pozo as the back-up just because of his bat. We need a dangerous RH bat off the bench and he is that...