STLtoday.com

Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

I don't think Herrera will stick at either catcher or OF er...His best by far tool, is Hitting. He will be the DH and a good one.

Rocket Scientist wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:37 am I don't think Herrera will stick at either catcher or OF er...His best by far tool, is Hitting. He will be the DH and a good one.

Good start. Let’s now pencil him in at full time DH. That almost means forcing Gorman to remain at third. And Left. I still see maybe an acquisition for that slot.

I think if they pick an OFer it will be a one year prove it sort of deal. They need to see if Walker actually develops and if Baez can do well at AAA. I think they are counting on Baez as a corner OFer. They need one more unless they think Noot is staying around and will produce. I suppose Bloom could make some sort of deal for a AAA OFer who is ready for the jump. The other deals have been about stocking the minor league system with guys who are a couple of years out at best.... It does seem pretty scary to bank on Walker and Noot...

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:46 am

Rocket Scientist wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:37 am I don't think Herrera will stick at either catcher or OF er...His best by far tool, is Hitting. He will be the DH and a good one.

Good start. Let’s now pencil him in at full time DH. That almost means forcing Gorman to remain at third. And Left. I still see maybe an acquisition for that slot.

With JJ pretty much at 2nd base if Gorman does not produce in first few months , I wouldnt be surprised if they go with Saggese there quite a bit in 2026. Bloom will be looking to change 3rd base for 2027 and beyond. I look for next draft to have a 3rd base kid with some power drafted pretty high.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:30 am Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

Once they see base runners stealing Herrera blind at the WBC & in spring games he'll end up being the near F-T DH and possibly given a few games at 1st Base (forget the OF, my dumb idea over two years ago and he looked lost out there).

Norman is going to be the OD 3rd baseman and he should be given the alternative is J.A.G. (Saggese).

Oli can always double switch him out late in games when they're ahead but as long as he hits (BIG ????), then he's the 3rd baseman.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:30 am Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

They're probably going to put Herrera in left until Noot comes back. I'd rather see Herrera be full time DH personally. Gorman will be given 3b probably. He'll either adjust or fail and be gone. I imagine they'll try to put Herrera at catcher but he has a lot of problem with passed balls. I don't look for him to last at catcher but maybe I'm wrong. If Gorman fails they'll probably try Saggese over there.Otherwise Saggese will man 2nd I imagine.

CCard wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:12 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:30 am Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

They're probably going to put Herrera in left until Noot comes back. I'd rather see Herrera be full time DH personally. Gorman will be given 3b probably. He'll either adjust or fail and be gone. I imagine they'll try to put Herrera at catcher but he has a lot of problem with passed balls. I don't look for him to last at catcher but maybe I'm wrong. If Gorman fails they'll probably try Saggese over there.Otherwise Saggese will man 2nd I imagine.

Many course of actions you write. You didn’t mention JJ to third, any action there?

rockondlouie wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:06 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:30 am Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

Once they see base runners stealing Herrera blind at the WBC & in spring games he'll end up being the near F-T DH and possibly given a few games at 1st Base (forget the OF, my dumb idea over two years ago and he looked lost out there).

Norman is going to be the OD 3rd baseman and he should be given the alternative is J.A.G. (Saggese).

Oli can always double switch him out late in games when they're ahead but as long as he hits (BIG ????), then he's the 3rd baseman.

Knowing that late game strategy is always gonna produce a late inning replacement is Strong. But, other than defensive lapses, it may help him on his back issues playing only 2/3 of the game.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:16 am

CCard wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:12 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:30 am Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

They're probably going to put Herrera in left until Noot comes back. I'd rather see Herrera be full time DH personally. Gorman will be given 3b probably. He'll either adjust or fail and be gone. I imagine they'll try to put Herrera at catcher but he has a lot of problem with passed balls. I don't look for him to last at catcher but maybe I'm wrong. If Gorman fails they'll probably try Saggese over there.Otherwise Saggese will man 2nd I imagine.

Many course of actions you write. You didn’t mention JJ to third, any action there?

Honestly, I forgot about JJ. Yeah, that changes things quite a bit. If JJ breaks with the Cards after spring then he obviously will play every day. He has to figure into the equation if he's any where near as good as he appears to be. Gorman will man the other position until/if he fails. Saggese will probably float around the field.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:06 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:30 am Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

Once they see base runners stealing Herrera blind at the WBC & in spring games he'll end up being the near F-T DH and possibly given a few games at 1st Base (forget the OF, my dumb idea over two years ago and he looked lost out there).

Norman is going to be the OD 3rd baseman and he should be given the alternative is J.A.G. (Saggese).

Oli can always double switch him out late in games when they're ahead but as long as he hits (BIG ????), then he's the 3rd baseman.

If Gorman fails Im hoping that a sleeper could be Ramos. Good glove, needs a hot spring to open some eyes.

CCard wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:22 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:16 am

CCard wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:12 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:30 am Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

They're probably going to put Herrera in left until Noot comes back. I'd rather see Herrera be full time DH personally. Gorman will be given 3b probably. He'll either adjust or fail and be gone. I imagine they'll try to put Herrera at catcher but he has a lot of problem with passed balls. I don't look for him to last at catcher but maybe I'm wrong. If Gorman fails they'll probably try Saggese over there.Otherwise Saggese will man 2nd I imagine.

Many course of actions you write. You didn’t mention JJ to third, any action there?

Honestly, I forgot about JJ. Yeah, that changes things quite a bit. If JJ breaks with the Cards after spring then he obviously will play every day. He has to figure into the equation if he's any where near as good as he appears to be. Gorman will man the other position until/if he fails. Saggese will probably float around the field.

I was born somewhere between a dream and fantasy. My world JJ turns into George Brett. Then, second can be easier manned than third, I’d think.

This is the year Walker and stormin' Norman make or break it...... When you think about it, this will be a really interesting year to watch, as long as you suspend your expectation of a deep playoff run. It is a building year. Except this season it really is make or break time. Baez will be knocking on the door next season if he can do well in AAA. There is pitching coming. I would expect Noot's days may be numbered as well. Lots of moving parts. We all know the excess at C in the system, and the relative shortage of really good OF prospects at the AAA level. Bloom et al. knows all of this. They could draft a college OFer who may be ready to make a jump, or they could deal some prospects for a AAA level OF prospect... and they also need a 3B prospect. Stay tuned.... If we know it, Bloom knows it too:)

RamFan08NY wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:26 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:06 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:30 am Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

Once they see base runners stealing Herrera blind at the WBC & in spring games he'll end up being the near F-T DH and possibly given a few games at 1st Base (forget the OF, my dumb idea over two years ago and he looked lost out there).

Norman is going to be the OD 3rd baseman and he should be given the alternative is J.A.G. (Saggese).

Oli can always double switch him out late in games when they're ahead but as long as he hits (BIG ????), then he's the 3rd baseman.

If Gorman fails Im hoping that a sleeper could be Ramos. Good glove, needs a hot spring to open some eyes.

Certainly will be wide open if Norman flops at the plate (we know he's not going to make anyone ever for get NADO, his defensive flop is a given).

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:18 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 10:06 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 09:30 am Good morning.

So here we go. As of now, all positions are penciled in except left field. So that’s one.

Catcher. My view. Once Herrera does not catch, where does he go. Left? DH? His bat must play. How do we figure this out when only at ST.

Third. All indications are Gorman. Once that changes, where does he go? DH? With Herrera?

Let’s just assume neither Herrera or Gorman stick- what next.

Enjoy.

Once they see base runners stealing Herrera blind at the WBC & in spring games he'll end up being the near F-T DH and possibly given a few games at 1st Base (forget the OF, my dumb idea over two years ago and he looked lost out there).

Norman is going to be the OD 3rd baseman and he should be given the alternative is J.A.G. (Saggese).

Oli can always double switch him out late in games when they're ahead but as long as he hits (BIG ????), then he's the 3rd baseman.

Knowing that late game strategy is always gonna produce a late inning replacement is Strong. But, other than defensive lapses, it may help him on his back issues playing only 2/3 of the game.

I agree 100% BDog

Keeping him off his feet the last couple innings, when he may be fatigued in the St. Louis heat, could keep him healthy.

Let's see if Oli's a good enough manager to see this too.

We're going to see. The good news with Gorman is, we won't be confused. There are no degrees with him. Looking at his career so far, have you ever looked at his production and been confused about whether it was good enough, or not? No. He had a season that was clearly very good and others that clearly were not. It's never been kind of, sort of, maybe... Likewise in the field, when you watch him, regardless of position, you don't leave confused about how he did. He's going to get playing time. I think he will tell us clearly whether we want that to continue, or not.