Can the Cardinals do something to excite the fan base now?

[earp]

continue showcasing their talents:
Nolan Gorman
JoJo Romero
Ivan Herrera
Jordan Walker
When not HURT!

[redbirdfan51]

Hopefully some of the young guys like Walker, Herrera, and McGreevey will finish strong. I also look forward to seeing Wetherholt up in September. If Gorman doesn't come back strong after injury, I look for him to be gone by next season.

[3dender]

If Gorman doesn't come back strong after injury, I look for him to be gone by next season.

There's so many moving parts when it comes to OF and DH... Donovan/Noot/Burleson/Gorman/Herrera/Walker. 1st off it seems pretty clear that Donovan's only position is gonna be OF, because of Wetherholt at 2B.

If Herrera can actually be LF (or RF) -- which he currently looks more natural/comfortable out there than Walker -- then you stop needing both of Noot and Donovan, and it gets more crowded for Walker as well, and Burly is then primary DH so there's no room for Gorman.

But if they trade two of that group excepting Herrera (and the three most valuable are Donovan/Noot/Burleson) then all of the sudden you have a pretty clear pathway for Herrera/Walker/Gorman/Whoever's Left to all get playing time.

Also to consider is that Nathan Church is making a strong case right now for PT in the bigs.

Whichever way you cut it, this winter Bloom absolutely MUST trade at least two, and arguably three, of Donovan/Noot/Burleson/Gorman/Walker/Church... add in Pozo/Crooks as well to address the catching logjam with Bernal ready for AAA.

[bccardsfan]

They will bring up JJ for a cup of coffee once it doesn't affect control or ROY for next season.

[Jatalk]

Nolan is going to have to play much less to open room for some of these guys. Will they do that?

[Dazepster]

In the Short Term? No

Longer Term? Possibly, provided we internally develop a few Wainos and a Pujols or 2 or 3.


No chance at competing until the DeWitts are Gone!!!

[VegasVinny]

The organization needs to do something. Anything. I hope they realize what a critical crossroads at which the franchise is standing. When the team (any team) is winning, they can ignore the game day experience/the marketing/the silly stuff that attracts the casual fan, the millennial, etc. The vast majority of us on this board don't need gimmicks and giveaways to lure us into Busch Stadium if the on-field product is adequate. It hasn't been in several years.

Mozeliak's exit and Bloom's arrival provides the hardcore and informed fans with a shot of optimism. But the organization needs much bolder measures to reinvigorate the casual fan who neither knows nor cares who is running the front office.

[ramfandan]

Yes, as mentioned above, the promotion of JJ will excite the fanbase as the young future begins

[jcgmoi]

Winning more games than they lose would excite me.

[dugoutrex]

does bloom boi excite ya ?

[Bomber1]

The organization needs to do something. Anything. I hope they realize what a critical crossroads at which the franchise is standing. When the team (any team) is winning, they can ignore the game day experience/the marketing/the silly stuff that attracts the casual fan, the millennial, etc. The vast majority of us on this board don't need gimmicks and giveaways to lure us into Busch Stadium if the on-field product is adequate. It hasn't been in several years.

Mozeliak's exit and Bloom's arrival provides the hardcore and informed fans with a shot of optimism. But the organization needs much bolder measures to reinvigorate the casual fan who neither knows nor cares who is running the front office.

Solid post.

[Cranny]

In the Short Term? No

Longer Term? Possibly, provided we internally develop a few Wainos and a Pujols or 2 or 3.


No chance at competing until the DeWitts are Gone!!!

Right. Then a new owner increases payroll to $200 million and there are only 10 teams or so spending more. The market is mid sized. Where do you think the metropolitan area ranks in the U.S.?

[moose-and-squirrel]

herrera catches 2 easy fly balls (in LF) and all of a sudden he's a better OFer than Walker (in RF, which is much tougher to play)

sure...

edit: I hope they trade Walker and it blows up in their face

[rockondlouie]

The ONLY thing that will excite the fan base is Oli being FIRED at seasons end, re-assigned back to AA/AAA.

Think of the malaise before WHITEY was hired, then again before TLR.

BOTH managers excited the fan base and the Cardinals WON = 3+M attendance!

That's what has to happen again.

Bloom has to be allowed to hire his Manager or the signal to the fan base is MORE OF THE SAME = LOSING.

JMO

[An Old Friend]

Nolan is going to have to play much less to open room for some of these guys. Will they do that?

That’s what I was going to say. After mid-August, near everyday lineup should have Gorman at 3B, Winn at SS, Wetherholt at 2B, and Contreras at 1B

Herrera primary DH, part time LF
OF ends up being a mess with playing time needed for Walker, Donovan, Burleson, Nootbaar, Scott, plus Herrera.

Ideally Nootbaar can get some time share in CF to free up the corners a little bit.

Arenado needs to be relegated to pinch hit / defensive replacement most days.

[3dender]

Nolan is going to have to play much less to open room for some of these guys. Will they do that?

That’s what I was going to say. After mid-August, near everyday lineup should have Gorman at 3B, Winn at SS, Wetherholt at 2B, and Contreras at 1B
...
Arenado needs to be relegated to pinch hit / defensive replacement most days.

What do you think the chances are Oli does this? I'd put it at <1%.