Tough situation with Walker

[C-Unit]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

[hockey jedi]

Would the return for Walker be any greater now than at the trade deadline?

[peterman'srealitytour]

Yeah, I think it’s worth giving Walker another opportunity … if you believe he’s receptive to change. He just seemed to revert to bad habits so many times the last two years.

One thing that gives you hope is that Bloom’s team initiated changes that really turned Josh Baez around. I realize they are different body types, etc. Baez was becoming a fringe prospect until adopting new approach. Results were stunning this year.

[Absolut]

I’d rather him play than nootbaar

[scoutyjones2]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

No it really isn't. This is his year. Starts in the minors and earns his way up. Straightforward ...

[Rojo Johnson]

I’d rather him play than nootbaar

Nootbaar, the poster child for John Mozeliak. PUKE.

[Voldemort]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

Level swing? MLB players don't have a level swing. Instead, the best have a swing that looks similar to a Nike Swoosh. IOWs, they attempt to match the plane of a pitch. From The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams:

[hornetfb52]

We’re gonna suck anyway this season. No reason whatsoever to not give him one last shot and see if he can do it.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

It would be stupid to give up on Walker now. Not saying he is untouchable in trade talks but we would be selling low. No harm in seeing if 2026 changes him for the better.

[Cusecards]

It would be stupid to give up on Walker now. Not saying he is untouchable in trade talks but we would be selling low. No harm in seeing if 2026 changes him for the better.

Agree
Not saying I’m predicting his emergence but he isn’t blocking anyone at the moment.
Having an Option Year and being a RH bat are a plus in his favor.

[lordoffatness]

It would be stupid to give up on Walker now. Not saying he is untouchable in trade talks but we would be selling low. No harm in seeing if 2026 changes him for the better.

Agree
Not saying I’m predicting his emergence but he isn’t blocking anyone at the moment.
Having an Option Year and being a RH bat are a plus in his favor.

Agree with this, and if you believe that the Cardinals have been failing as an organization for a long time to develop prospects, then it only makes sense to let the new group take a shot.

I'm not totally blaming the team. The player certainly bears some responsibility as well, but I think it's pretty obvious we were way behind other franchises in terms of coaching, scouting, and technology.

[C-Unit]

It would be stupid to give up on Walker now. Not saying he is untouchable in trade talks but we would be selling low. No harm in seeing if 2026 changes him for the better.

Agree
Not saying I’m predicting his emergence but he isn’t blocking anyone at the moment.
Having an Option Year and being a RH bat are a plus in his favor.

Agree with this, and if you believe that the Cardinals have been failing as an organization for a long time to develop prospects, then it only makes sense to let the new group take a shot.

I'm not totally blaming the team. The player certainly bears some responsibility as well, but I think it's pretty obvious we were way behind other franchises in terms of coaching, scouting, and technology.

That's a great aspect of it as well because from what we know Bloom was not involved with the major league club last year.

[Carp4Cy]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

Insanity is trying the same thing over and over and over again and expecting a different result.

I’m not saying Walker can’t potentially improve, but I severely doubt it’s going to happen under the same manager and hitting coach

Why not replace them for failure to develop most of our past prospects after they reached the MLB?

[Cusecards]

It would be stupid to give up on Walker now. Not saying he is untouchable in trade talks but we would be selling low. No harm in seeing if 2026 changes him for the better.

Agree
Not saying I’m predicting his emergence but he isn’t blocking anyone at the moment.
Having an Option Year and being a RH bat are a plus in his favor.

Agree with this, and if you believe that the Cardinals have been failing as an organization for a long time to develop prospects, then it only makes sense to let the new group take a shot.

I'm not totally blaming the team. The player certainly bears some responsibility as well, but I think it's pretty obvious we were way behind other franchises in terms of coaching, scouting, and technology.

New regime.
Hopefully the turnaround is starting.

[rage-STL]

I’m still very much pulling for JW. It’s not easy to switch from IF to OF, let alone doing it on the fly while you’re rushed to the major leagues. He still put together a solid rookie campaign. He’s 5 months older than JJ Wetherholt. JJ went to college for his development. JW was drafted out of high school and put his professional development in the hands of Mozeliak and co. Hopefully the new regime offers JW a fresh start and opportunity to reach his potential.

All 16 of Jordan Walker’s 2023 Homeruns

[Clubmaker2]

I'm willing to believe in another shot for Walker. It would be one thing if we were putting a contender on the field but we're not. The playing time will be there.

I watched the footage from 2023 and his swing was indeed way more level. If the work at driveline leads him back to that, I don't see why there couldn't be some optimism. The way people talk about him you would think he's never done anything at the ML level. I know his 2023 season seems hard to imagine that it actually happened at this point, but be hit .276, 19 2B 16 HR 51 RBI that season which is far, far from a failure. What do they always say... if he's done it once...

So let's not forget out of all of the pieces this organization has, Walker still represents a certain level of potential that cannot be moved on from. There's a reason they held onto Alex Reyes for so long. If Walker somehow became a breakout player in 2026, we would feel a little better about how the rebuild is going. It's not at all probable but there is undeniably a non-zero chance of it happening.

We can go back to the Derrek Lee example. Age 21-23: .690 ops, Age 24: .875 OPS. Walker Age 24 next season.

Between Walker and Gorman, Walker has clearly always had the higher ceiling and the higher likelihood of being able to become a consistent MLB hitter.

Here's the issue with Walker. He's arbitration eligible a year from now...

No it really isn't. This is his year. Starts in the minors and earns his way up. Straightforward ...

Exactly!