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The overall defense has definitely taken a backseat in the most recent version of our rebuild.

Burleson, Gorman, Walker, Herrera are all subpar defenders who have offensive upside that the team wants to see. That creates an issue. When will we develop offensively and defensively balanced prospects?

Flawed ballplayers are not pillars for a rebuild. They can be complimentary pieces, but not pillars.

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:06 pm The overall defense has definitely taken a backseat in the most recent version of our rebuild.

Burleson, Gorman, Walker, Herrera are all subpar defenders who have offensive upside that the team wants to see. That creates an issue. When will we develop offensively and defensively balanced prospects?

Flawed ballplayers are not pillars for a rebuild. They can be complimentary pieces, but not pillars.

I realize injuries and trades played a part in some of these guys playing out of position but, I've never seen anything like this. These guys were the best defnse in MLB during the first 3 months of the season. When your entire team falls apart and it's happened 3 years in a row now, well, you can't replace all the players.

You have to start at the top. Hopefuly Bloom can right the ship because if JWalk doesn't do anything positive in this AB there's nothing worth watching today. lol

Organizational regression.

Bad defense is also contagious. It can also be cultural.

If these young players give up when given a great opportunity and runway to prove themselves then team leadership needs to be questioned. If Oli feels like his termination is inevitable then he could be wearing it. This could permeate throughout the clubhouse.

If they plan on moving on from Oli, they should do it now as not to have negativity around the clubhouse. Put Stubby in as an intern and play to have fun until the end.

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:17 pm Bad defense is also contagious. It can also be cultural.

If these young players give up when given a great opportunity and runway to prove themselves then team leadership needs to be questioned. If Oli feels like his termination is inevitable then he could be wearing it. This could permeate throughout the clubhouse.

If they plan on moving on from Oli, they should do it now as not to have negativity around the clubhouse. Put Stubby in as an intern and play to have fun until the end.

And this cannot be enjoyable for Oli, either.

butsir01 wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:19 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:17 pm Bad defense is also contagious. It can also be cultural.

If these young players give up when given a great opportunity and runway to prove themselves then team leadership needs to be questioned. If Oli feels like his termination is inevitable then he could be wearing it. This could permeate throughout the clubhouse.

If they plan on moving on from Oli, they should do it now as not to have negativity around the clubhouse. Put Stubby in as an intern and play to have fun until the end.

And this cannot be enjoyable for Oli, either.

If he's to be part of the rebuild then a major part of his job would be keeping the players focused, holding them accountable for lack of hustle, preparation, fundamentals, etc. Being tough, focused, and positive.

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:26 pm

butsir01 wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:19 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:17 pm Bad defense is also contagious. It can also be cultural.

If these young players give up when given a great opportunity and runway to prove themselves then team leadership needs to be questioned. If Oli feels like his termination is inevitable then he could be wearing it. This could permeate throughout the clubhouse.

If they plan on moving on from Oli, they should do it now as not to have negativity around the clubhouse. Put Stubby in as an intern and play to have fun until the end.

And this cannot be enjoyable for Oli, either.

If he's to be part of the rebuild then a major part of his job would be keeping the players focused, holding them accountable for lack of hustle, preparation, fundamentals, etc. Being tough, focused, and positive.

JMO, but I can’t see his doing that, can you?

Why do you think he doesn't hold them accountable?" There are 50 games left in the season, I would like to see the Birds lose 40 of them. We have a weak farm system and need a chance at drafting the top talent.

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:06 pm The overall defense has definitely taken a backseat in the most recent version of our rebuild.

Burleson, Gorman, Walker, Herrera are all subpar defenders who have offensive upside that the team wants to see. That creates an issue. When will we develop offensively and defensively balanced prospects?

Flawed ballplayers are not pillars for a rebuild. They can be complimentary pieces, but not pillars.

Herrera has made every play so far in LF. Small sample. The rest not so much.

Do you miss Arenado yet?

bretto12 wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:33 pm Why do you think he doesn't hold them accountable?" There are 50 games left in the season, I would like to see the Birds lose 40 of them. We have a weak farm system and need a chance at drafting the top talent.

If you can't see the difference between the Cardinals demeanor, approach, preparation, emotion, etc in comparison to the Padres then we probably have nothing to discuss.

Most recent example being the sac fly to VS2. He caught the ball not moving forward toward home and in a throwing position. He gave himself no chance to throw out the runner. It was just accepted.

RunSup wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:37 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:06 pm The overall defense has definitely taken a backseat in the most recent version of our rebuild.

Burleson, Gorman, Walker, Herrera are all subpar defenders who have offensive upside that the team wants to see. That creates an issue. When will we develop offensively and defensively balanced prospects?

Flawed ballplayers are not pillars for a rebuild. They can be complimentary pieces, but not pillars.

Herrera has made every play so far in LF. Small sample. The rest not so much.

Do you miss Arenado yet?

I've got little issues with Herrera as his bat definitely plays. Its going to take a bit to be an average left fielder though.

Gorman really sucks. Yes, Saggesse made an error, but Im way more confident w him or Donny at 3rd compared to Gorman. Noot is solid too - guess we gave him time off too. Either way, pull Gorman and our d is much better.

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:39 pm

bretto12 wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:33 pm Why do you think he doesn't hold them accountable?" There are 50 games left in the season, I would like to see the Birds lose 40 of them. We have a weak farm system and need a chance at drafting the top talent.

If you can't see the difference between the Cardinals demeanor, approach, preparation, emotion, etc in comparison to the Padres then we probably have nothing to discuss.

Most recent example being the sac fly to VS2. He caught the ball not moving forward toward home and in a throwing position. He gave himself no chance to throw out the runner. It was just accepted.

What you describe is fundamental outfield technique.

Do you think he hasn’t been taught in the minors…….or is just lazy?

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:39 pm

bretto12 wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:33 pm Why do you think he doesn't hold them accountable?" There are 50 games left in the season, I would like to see the Birds lose 40 of them. We have a weak farm system and need a chance at drafting the top talent.

If you can't see the difference between the Cardinals demeanor, approach, preparation, emotion, etc in comparison to the Padres then we probably have nothing to discuss.

Most recent example being the sac fly to VS2. He caught the ball not moving forward toward home and in a throwing position. He gave himself no chance to throw out the runner. It was just accepted.

Oh please! They have been in the race all year and have great pitching.
Yesterday the Great Shildt let M.machado watch a ball off the wall and get thrown out at second. Another player didn't slide and almost got tagged out.
You are blinded by your hate of Oli.

bretto12 wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:33 pm Why do you think he doesn't hold them accountable?" There are 50 games left in the season, I would like to see the Birds lose 40 of them. We have a weak farm system and need a chance at drafting the top talent.

The Cards cannot draft higher than tenth. Since the Rockies, Nats, and Angels are in the same boat but worse the Cards sit at 13. Tanking doesn't pay like it used to.

Just Whit wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:48 pm

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:39 pm

bretto12 wrote: ↑03 Aug 2025 17:33 pm Why do you think he doesn't hold them accountable?" There are 50 games left in the season, I would like to see the Birds lose 40 of them. We have a weak farm system and need a chance at drafting the top talent.

If you can't see the difference between the Cardinals demeanor, approach, preparation, emotion, etc in comparison to the Padres then we probably have nothing to discuss.

Most recent example being the sac fly to VS2. He caught the ball not moving forward toward home and in a throwing position. He gave himself no chance to throw out the runner. It was just accepted.

Oh please! They have been in the race all year and have great pitching.
Yesterday the Great Shildt let M.machado watch a ball off the wall and get thrown out at second. Another player didn't slide and almost got tagged out.
You are blinded by your hate of Oli.

This wasn't an endorsement of Bubbles.

It was an observation of a team that is young, in an announced rebuild, and needs the fight qualified leader in dugout navigate the guys through this.

I don't hate Oli. I just don't think he is the guy for the job.