STLtoday.com

Who leads off?

And so on.

OldRed wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:41 am Who leads off?

And so on.

Torres 7
Wetherholt 4
Herrera 2
Burleson 3
Gorman 5
Winn 6
Saggese DH
Walker 9
Scott II 8

I’m not gonna cover the given positions. I’ll address left field- who knows.

I’ll address lead off - Scott or Winn

I’ll address opening day starter- Libby.

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:45 am

OldRed wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:41 am Who leads off?

And so on.

Torres 7
Wetherholt 4
Herrera 2
Burleson 3
Gorman 5
Winn 6
Saggese DH
Walker 9
Scott II 8

Why Gorman at 3B when Saggese is a far better defender? I think Gorman will DH a majority of season

Wouldn’t it be dishonest to label Gorman a designated hitter?

butsir01 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:55 am Wouldn’t it be dishonest to label Gorman a designated hitter?

Supposed designated hitter

butsir01 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:55 am Wouldn’t it be dishonest to label Gorman a designated hitter?

Not if he plays D at 3rd like he did last year.

He actually didn’t embarrass himself at 2nd base so maybe there’s some hope and he just has to readjust to 3rd. A full spring training at the position could make a big difference. His defensive and offensive performance will be under scrutiny more than anyone else on the roster, along with Jordan Walker.

Old Red,
Not my opening day lineup but one I saw listed for Cardinals post Donovan trade :

St. Louis Cardinals projected lineup after trading away Brendan Donovan
2B JJ Wetherholt
SS Masyn Winn
1B Alec Burleson
C Ivan Herrera
LF Lars Nootbaar
RF Jordan Walker
DH Nolan Gorman
3B Thomas Saggese
CF Victor Scott II

Assuming Nootbaar starts on the injured list, Herrera gets the catching gig, and taking into account the spring training performances, I would start by giving VSII a shot at leadoff, and if that doesn't work give Winn a try there, and if that doesn't work just stick high OBP Herrera there. So, first line-up looks like:

CF VSII (L)
2B/3B Wetherholt (L)
C/DH Herrera (R)
1B/DH Burleson (L)
SS Winn (R)
DH/1B Gorman (L)
RF Walker (R)
3B/2B Saggese (R)
LF Church (L)/Trade/F/A signing (RHB)

C Pages (R)
IF Firmin (R)
OF Torres (L)
C Crooks (L)/Trade/F/A signing (RHB)

My hope is the carrying three catchers thing works itself out by trade or free agent signing, meaning Crooks or Pages is traded, or, we sign a F/A RHB outfielder, and send Crooks or Pages back to Memphis. Although, I wouldn't have a problem breaking spring training with 3 catchers, as the final verdict on Herrera as full time catcher may not be in by that time. I see either Wetherholt or Saggese at 2B or 3B, depending on where they decide Wetherholt will play. DH could end up being all or mostly Gorman, if he figures out hitting. That's a big if, so, I could see some platooning in the DH spot, with Herrera and Burleson getting some at bats there, Firmin, Torres and Crooks also as DH options. And, Like I said, if VSII bombs at leadoff, bat him 8th or 9th, and try Winn at leadoff. Lastly, if Winn bombs, put Herrera at leadoff, VSII bats 8-9 and I guess Winn bats cleanup. That sounds crazy, but, not sure who else would bat cleanup if Herrera leads off. Lets hope it doesn't come to that, lol. Go Cards!

Is noot for sure not going to be ready by opening day?

SS Winn
2B Wetherholt
DH Herrera
1B Burleson
LF FA addition
3B Gorman
RF Walker
C Pages/Crooks
CF Scott

Based on last years splits Gorman hits best as a DH BA .247 OBP .330 SLG .519 OPS .849. Just 77 ABs as DH last year. Still for his career he has hit better as a DH although as good as 2025. Put him at DH and teach Ivan to play 3rd

Youboughtit wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:50 am

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:45 am

OldRed wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:41 am Who leads off?

And so on.

Torres 7
Wetherholt 4
Herrera 2
Burleson 3
Gorman 5
Winn 6
Saggese DH
Walker 9
Scott II 8

Why Gorman at 3B when Saggese is a far better defender? I think Gorman will DH a majority of season

Just what I think they will do. I think they want Gorman at 3B. I agree with you that Saggese should be there over Gorman. Hoping he just outplays him during ST.

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 14:07 pm

Youboughtit wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:50 am

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:45 am

OldRed wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:41 am Who leads off?

And so on.

Torres 7
Wetherholt 4
Herrera 2
Burleson 3
Gorman 5
Winn 6
Saggese DH
Walker 9
Scott II 8

Why Gorman at 3B when Saggese is a far better defender? I think Gorman will DH a majority of season

Just what I think they will do. I think they want Gorman at 3B. I agree with you that Saggese should be there over Gorman. Hoping he just outplays him during ST.

Actually, that was not totally honest.....I don't think that they will give Torres a fair shot.

1) Wetherholt 2B
2) Church LF
3) Herrera C
4) Burleson 1B
5) Saggese 3B
6) Gorman DH
7) Walker RF
Eight) Winn SS
9) Scott SF

butsir01 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2026 09:55 am Wouldn’t it be dishonest to label Gorman a designated hitter?

designated batter

they arent paying NA tens of millions to play somewhere else, just to play Saggese ....