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If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

I believe we're seeing the fact that Walker has dibbs until he proves he can't handle it. Now, the case may be made that he's already shown that, however, I believe the organization may be giving him one last legitimate shot before they call it a day on him. If I'm correct, it may be a while.

Again, just my guess. Your mileage may vary.

WeeVikes wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:49 pm I believe we're seeing the fact that Walker has dibbs until he proves he can't handle it. Now, the case may be made that he's already shown that, however, I believe the organization may be giving him one last legitimate shot before they call it a day on him. If I'm correct, it may be a while.

Again, just my guess. Your mileage may vary.

Agree
He’ll be the regular until at least the deadline.
More likely he’ll be here the entire season!

Josh Baez is at least a year away. He has to show he can build on gains he made last year to be a serious part of OF core.

Some here in CT think Church can make a play for starting OF. Happy to see it but he has a lot to prove to be more than 4th/5th OFer.

After that you are reaching deeper into the system unless Chase Davis has a rebirth. I guess Velazquez could make a play. Newly acquired Tai Peete could also. But seem like longer shots or longer away from the majors.

Development and performance this year will tell.

WeeVikes wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:49 pm I believe we're seeing the fact that Walker has dibbs until he proves he can't handle it. Now, the case may be made that he's already shown that, however, I believe the organization may be giving him one last legitimate shot before they call it a day on him. If I'm correct, it may be a while.

Again, just my guess. Your mileage may vary.

I’m thinking Walker gets a chance until the all star break to prove he’s got it figured out.

As I have been mentioning prior. The youth movement may not be to everyone's taste, but what it does do is offer opportunity. Young guys can see this is a rare chance to show up and get a real look over from the staff and management. Walker will be there for at least 2 months and then on a month to month basis as I see it until he either just shows up and puts out, or he just stinks so bad he is demoted for valid cause. If the team gets one or two that use opportunities off the bench or in AAA to just bust out while Walker still flails he will be on a short leash after a couple months. They will most likely demote him to AAA and make him either find it and reproduce it consistently, or he will be trade bait one day. I think this idea applies to the outfield as whole. There is not one position locked down for sure. There are guys they prefer but no one that anyone can say yeah that's the guy end of story. Scott and Nootbar are also need to show up and shine guys. A real chance here for someone to surprise.

Shady wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:24 pm If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 19:38 pm

Shady wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:24 pm If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville, so if Walker continues to struggle going into July. What would you do regarding the RF situation? There don't appear to be many options.

Shady wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 20:04 pm

Melville wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 19:38 pm

Shady wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:24 pm If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville, so if Walker continues to struggle going into July. What wou;d you do regarding the RF situaion? There don't appear to be many options.

I would do what I already would have done: trade for one.
Failing to do so was one of Bloom's 3 big mistakes so far (he has done several things well).

Melville wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 20:07 pm

Shady wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 20:04 pm

Melville wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 19:38 pm

Shady wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:24 pm If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville, so if Walker continues to struggle going into July. What wou;d you do regarding the RF situaion? There don't appear to be many options.

I would do what I already would have done: trade for one.
Failing to do so was one of Bloom's 3 big mistakes so far (he has done several things well).

And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him.

I said that back in December and was proven to be right.

RunSup wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:59 pm Josh Baez is at least a year away. He has to show he can build on gains he made last year to be a serious part of OF core.

Some here in CT think Church can make a play for starting OF. Happy to see it but he has a lot to prove to be more than 4th/5th OFer.

After that you are reaching deeper into the system unless Chase Davis has a rebirth. I guess Velazquez could make a play. Newly acquired Tai Peete could also. But seem like longer shots or longer away from the majors.

Development and performance this year will tell.

I think if and when Herrera fails at Catcher they will have to find him a spot so you may be looking at him out in LF as well. Unless they plan on making him a full time DH.

Melville wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 19:38 pm

Shady wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:24 pm If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

yup - same with Gormy

11WSChamps wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 20:45 pm

Melville wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 20:07 pm

Shady wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 20:04 pm

Melville wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 19:38 pm

Shady wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:24 pm If he hits, Church has an outstanding arm for the position. And Baez is "waiting in the wings". It's time for Walker to make some strides.

Walker's leash is no longer than July 1.
He has either shown significant progress by that point, or his window in STL is closed.

Melville, so if Walker continues to struggle going into July. What wou;d you do regarding the RF situaion? There don't appear to be many options.

I would do what I already would have done: trade for one.
Failing to do so was one of Bloom's 3 big mistakes so far (he has done several things well).

And he was never going to trade for a proven productive one which would cost too much nor an up and coming cost controlled one which are at a premium and the Cardinals didn't have the horsepower to trade for him.

I said that back in December and was proven to be right.

Partially right.
Bloom had plenty of expendable pieces to swing a trade for a young, cost controlled RH outfielder.
But his goal was to add some pitchers and some long-shot lottery position player pieces who are nowhere near being MLB ready and likely never will be.
Despite his rather disingenuous and utterly unserious feigned interest in adding a RH bat, you are correct that he clearly never intended any such thing.
But not for the reason you cited.
Rather, he intends to give Walker one more look - but is really just buying time to see if Baez or Herrera can "next man up" in the RH corner outfield hunt if and when JW fails again.

WeeVikes wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 12:49 pm I believe we're seeing the fact that Walker has dibbs until he proves he can't handle it. Now, the case may be made that he's already shown that, however, I believe the organization may be giving him one last legitimate shot before they call it a day on him. If I'm correct, it may be a while.

Again, just my guess. Your mileage may vary.

He had himself some massive struggles in 2025.
VS2 out hit him.
If he is doing the exact same amount of struggles
while looking the same way, I'm unsure of the upside in that.

2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

JuanAgosto wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 22:05 pm 2025 was to be the "runway season". Walker, Scott, Gorman, Burleson, etc. They were to play all season, sink or swim.

But as a surprise to no one, Johnny putz and oli pud screwed it up. So now we get "runway part two" in 2026. Great.

At least one of that disastrous duo (Mo and oli), is gone now. Good riddance, Johnny numb nuts.

The team is not necessarily a group that are iron horses.

Burleson got 139 games missed 9 to his wrist
Scott had 138 games missed 13 to an ankle sprain
Gorman 111 games missed 22 to back and hammy
Walker 111 games missed 14 to wrist and 18 to appendix

not sure any of us get more than 10 games more out of any of them.