Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Welcome to STLtoday.com's forum for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Cards Talk Moderators

Post Reply
ramfandan
Forum User
Posts: 6224
Joined: 27 May 2024 19:52 pm

Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by ramfandan »

JJ Wetherholt played 3rd base at Memphis. He also played SS and 2nd base in the minors too just as he did in college.
Looking back to his scouting report when he was drafted , Baseball America scouting system said while he has the hands and actions for all 3 spots, his arm seems most suited to 2nd base. For arm, he is rated 50 (on the 20-80 scale ) 50 means ' major league average . He has a 5-11,190 lb frame.
Personally , I viewed JJ as a long-term 2nd baseman for the Cardinals . Others may prefer him elsewhere.

Unsure of Bloom's personal feelings on JJ long term but if Bloom sees him 'long term' as the team's 2nd baseman , it would make trading Brendan Donovan easier for Bloom this offseason as Bloom would have his heir apparent ready to go this upcoming year. For a rebuilding team , it gives Bloom an outstanding long term combo 'up the middle' with the two "W' youngsters (Winn/ Wetherholt ) .

How do the rest of you feel about JJ's long term spot for the Cardinals ? I vote for 2nd baseman Your thinking ?
Shady
Forum User
Posts: 7149
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by Shady »

ramfandan wrote: 04 Nov 2025 21:19 pm JJ Wetherholt played 3rd base at Memphis. He also played SS and 2nd base in the minors too just as he did in college.
Looking back to his scouting report when he was drafted , Baseball America scouting system said while he has the hands and actions for all 3 spots, his arm seems most suited to 2nd base. For arm, he is rated 50 (on the 20-80 scale ) 50 means ' major league average . He has a 5-11,190 lb frame.
Personally , I viewed JJ as a long-term 2nd baseman for the Cardinals . Others may prefer him elsewhere.

Unsure of Bloom's personal feelings on JJ long term but if Bloom sees him 'long term' as the team's 2nd baseman , it would make trading Brendan Donovan easier for Bloom this offseason as Bloom would have his heir apparent ready to go this upcoming year. For a rebuilding team , it gives Bloom an outstanding long term combo 'up the middle' with the two "W' youngsters (Winn/ Wetherholt ) .

How do the rest of you feel about JJ's long term spot for the Cardinals ? I vote for 2nd baseman Your thinking ?
Two other factors. What are Bloom's views regarding Gorman and Saggese?
Whatashame
Forum User
Posts: 3750
Joined: 24 May 2018 20:27 pm

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by Whatashame »

I’ve always viewed Wetherholt as the future 2B. Donovan as the future 3B until we have something better. I think there’s better than a 50/50 chance that Contreras is traded this offseason so 2026 infield looks something like
1B Burleson
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Donovan
The outfield is where the work is needed and I hope that at least one OFer is added. I would prefer 2 but realistically I think one is definitely needed. Sounds like every effort is going to be made to see if Herrera can catch so DH/C for him. Pages and Crooks as our catchers unless Herrera surprises.

That leaves the outfield. Also sounds like they view Scott II and Walker right now as 2/3 of the outfield. A RH hitting corner outfielder is almost a priority.

Moving Arenado, Gray and Contreras should open up payroll for at least 2 starters and a corner outfielder. Donovan may possibly be a trade piece but if he is moved that means another piece (3B) is needed. I just don’t see Sagesse as an everyday option at 3B.
ScotchMIrish
Forum User
Posts: 1545
Joined: 08 Sep 2024 21:25 pm

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by ScotchMIrish »

I brought this up previously. He played the vast majority of games at SS where he is blocked. I don't understand the logic of doing that when he will play either 3B or 2B in St Louis.
rage-STL
Forum User
Posts: 145
Joined: 04 Jul 2024 09:33 am

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by rage-STL »

If you can play SS, you can play anywhere on the field. I think a lot depends on what happens with Arenado. If he’s here, I think JJ plays 2nd. If he’s dealt, I think JJ could end up at 3B or 2B. Bottom line is he’s a ball player, a dirt eater. Wether it’s him and Winn up the middle or him and Winn shutting down the left side of the infield, I’m looking forward to watching those two get after it next year.
AZ_Cardsfan
Forum User
Posts: 1023
Joined: 26 May 2024 00:49 am

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by AZ_Cardsfan »

Pretty clear Winn has SS locked up for the next several years. But 2B and 3B will be wide open after this trade season and whichever has a need will be his position. Let's face it the MAIN position they hope he fills is at the plate.
Talkin' Baseball
Forum User
Posts: 2170
Joined: 11 Feb 2018 12:39 pm

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by Talkin' Baseball »

Shady wrote: 04 Nov 2025 21:37 pm
ramfandan wrote: 04 Nov 2025 21:19 pm JJ Wetherholt played 3rd base at Memphis. He also played SS and 2nd base in the minors too just as he did in college.
Looking back to his scouting report when he was drafted , Baseball America scouting system said while he has the hands and actions for all 3 spots, his arm seems most suited to 2nd base. For arm, he is rated 50 (on the 20-80 scale ) 50 means ' major league average . He has a 5-11,190 lb frame.
Personally , I viewed JJ as a long-term 2nd baseman for the Cardinals . Others may prefer him elsewhere.

Unsure of Bloom's personal feelings on JJ long term but if Bloom sees him 'long term' as the team's 2nd baseman , it would make trading Brendan Donovan easier for Bloom this offseason as Bloom would have his heir apparent ready to go this upcoming year. For a rebuilding team , it gives Bloom an outstanding long term combo 'up the middle' with the two "W' youngsters (Winn/ Wetherholt ) .

How do the rest of you feel about JJ's long term spot for the Cardinals ? I vote for 2nd baseman Your thinking ?
Two other factors. What are Bloom's views regarding Gorman and Saggese?
Non-factors. Gorman won't be with the team in 2 years and Saggese will be a bench player.
craviduce
Forum User
Posts: 24328
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:11 pm

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by craviduce »

Talkin' Baseball wrote: 05 Nov 2025 06:54 am
Shady wrote: 04 Nov 2025 21:37 pm
ramfandan wrote: 04 Nov 2025 21:19 pm JJ Wetherholt played 3rd base at Memphis. He also played SS and 2nd base in the minors too just as he did in college.
Looking back to his scouting report when he was drafted , Baseball America scouting system said while he has the hands and actions for all 3 spots, his arm seems most suited to 2nd base. For arm, he is rated 50 (on the 20-80 scale ) 50 means ' major league average . He has a 5-11,190 lb frame.
Personally , I viewed JJ as a long-term 2nd baseman for the Cardinals . Others may prefer him elsewhere.

Unsure of Bloom's personal feelings on JJ long term but if Bloom sees him 'long term' as the team's 2nd baseman , it would make trading Brendan Donovan easier for Bloom this offseason as Bloom would have his heir apparent ready to go this upcoming year. For a rebuilding team , it gives Bloom an outstanding long term combo 'up the middle' with the two "W' youngsters (Winn/ Wetherholt ) .

How do the rest of you feel about JJ's long term spot for the Cardinals ? I vote for 2nd baseman Your thinking ?
Two other factors. What are Bloom's views regarding Gorman and Saggese?
Non-factors. Gorman won't be with the team in 2 years and Saggese will be a bench player.
agreed...in no scenario (sane) will Gorman nor Saggese be blocking Wetherholt. In "FACT", the F.O. is on recent record saying that JJ would be only one blocking JJ... "it depends on his Spring Training"
rockondlouie
Forum User
Posts: 13460
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:41 pm

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by rockondlouie »

2nd Base is where he best profiles and could be a multiple time all-star (my comp is C. Utley).

Either leading off or hitting second.
Jatalk
Forum User
Posts: 1785
Joined: 05 Apr 2024 08:33 am

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by Jatalk »

ramfandan wrote: 04 Nov 2025 21:19 pm JJ Wetherholt played 3rd base at Memphis. He also played SS and 2nd base in the minors too just as he did in college.
Looking back to his scouting report when he was drafted , Baseball America scouting system said while he has the hands and actions for all 3 spots, his arm seems most suited to 2nd base. For arm, he is rated 50 (on the 20-80 scale ) 50 means ' major league average . He has a 5-11,190 lb frame.
Personally , I viewed JJ as a long-term 2nd baseman for the Cardinals . Others may prefer him elsewhere.

Unsure of Bloom's personal feelings on JJ long term but if Bloom sees him 'long term' as the team's 2nd baseman , it would make trading Brendan Donovan easier for Bloom this offseason as Bloom would have his heir apparent ready to go this upcoming year. For a rebuilding team , it gives Bloom an outstanding long term combo 'up the middle' with the two "W' youngsters (Winn/ Wetherholt ) .

How do the rest of you feel about JJ's long term spot for the Cardinals ? I vote for 2nd baseman Your thinking ?
We could know by end of winter meeting. For the infield there are lots of options. I think JJ gets slotted based on what trades are made.
Cardly
Forum User
Posts: 174
Joined: 23 May 2024 17:17 pm

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by Cardly »

So if Winn is not ready by opening day, who starts the season at SS?

If Arenado remains a member of the team and plays 3rd, that would bring about some really solid defense, especially if CF is solid. They still need to get serious about a catcher who is able to play defense as well as offense.
craviduce
Forum User
Posts: 24328
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:11 pm

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by craviduce »

Cardly wrote: 05 Nov 2025 12:48 pm So if Winn is not ready by opening day, who starts the season at SS?

If Arenado remains a member of the team and plays 3rd, that would bring about some really solid defense, especially if CF is solid. They still need to get serious about a catcher who is able to play defense as well as offense.
same can be applied to CF. VS2 can't play offense.
rockondlouie
Forum User
Posts: 13460
Joined: 23 May 2024 12:41 pm

Re: Where does Bloom view JJ's position long term on Cardinals ?

Post by rockondlouie »

Cardly wrote: 05 Nov 2025 12:48 pm So if Winn is not ready by opening day, who starts the season at SS?

If Arenado remains a member of the team and plays 3rd, that would bring about some really solid defense, especially if CF is solid. They still need to get serious about a catcher who is able to play defense as well as offense.
L. Bernal soon (this season?)..........R-Rod in a few years?

I'll let Duce speak to their defense.
Post Reply