Noot's return could alleviate pressure from this Cardinal bat ..and no it's not VS II

[ramfandan]

Article : J.T. Buchheit

Author cites it's Nolan Gorman ... Speculates that a Noot return would slot in best at No. 5 in lineup behind Walker (since Gorman slash line so low and not taking advantage of times Walker on basepaths so often. He suggests Gorman slide down order to No. 7 with Winn remaining at No. 6 to preserve Oli's alternating right-left bats he likes to employ.

Entire article link :
https://redbirdrants.com/

[Cardinals1964]

Well it is VS2. Gorman might move down but VS2 should be moving out.

[Cranny]

Article : J.T. Buchheit

Author cites it's Nolan Gorman ... Speculates that a Noot return would slot in best at No. 5 in lineup behind Walker (since Gorman slash line so low and not taking advantage of times Walker on basepaths so often. He suggests Gorman slide down order to No. 7 with Winn remaining at No. 6 to preserve Oli's alternating right-left bats he likes to employ.

Entire article link :
https://redbirdrants.com/

Neither VSII or Nootbaar belong in the lineup.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

I was thinking about this the other day and I would be fine with it. Nootbaar, aside from last year, has always had above average offense.

[Cranny]

I was thinking about this the other day and I would be fine with it. Nootbaar, aside from last year, has always had above average offense.

He can’t be relied upon, Ronnie. And he doesn’t have corner outfield power.

Baez-Church-Walker is probably the future.

[pitchingandefense]

I was thinking about this the other day and I would be fine with it. Nootbaar, aside from last year, has always had above average offense.

He can’t be relied upon, Ronnie. And he doesn’t have corner outfield power.

Baez-Church-Walker is probably the future.

While it's true that trio would be a dream future outfield, Baez hasn't yet adjusted to AAA. He usually takes some time to adjust at each level, so nothing too concerning yet. I'm still a believer.

But for the 2026 team, Noot absolutely represents an upgrade. He's a good defensive outfielder who had a poor second half in 2025 at the plate. Now with injuries behind him, hopefully he's ready to return to being a 115 wRC+ guy. Victor Scott is currently the only negative WAR every day player. Replacing his putrid bat (13 wRC+) with an above average bat like Noot's will be a huge boost to the lineup and allow them to slide Gorman into the 7th spot. You are right that Noot doesn't have big corner OF power, but he does a lot of things well and improves the team when he's healthy.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

He can’t be relied upon, Ronnie. And he doesn’t have corner outfield power.

Baez-Church-Walker is probably the future.

It's not about reliability right now. This thread is about where to bat him, 5th or 7th. Regardless, he's coming back soon and they're going to play him.

Baez isn't coming up before Noot gets back. And when Baez does get the call, we'll deal with it them, but there's a very good chance it won't be this year. Church doesn't have the power for a corner outfielder either, yet that's where he's been playing. He'll move to CF when Noot comes back, unless they decide to keep Scott there for some misguided reason, in which case Church will be on the bench.

[sikeston bulldog2]

He can’t be relied upon, Ronnie. And he doesn’t have corner outfield power.

Baez-Church-Walker is probably the future.

It's not about reliability right now. This thread is about where to bat him, 5th or 7th. Regardless, he's coming back soon and they're going to play him.

Baez isn't coming up before Noot gets back. And when Baez does get the call, we'll deal with it them, but there's a very good chance it won't be this year. Church doesn't have the power for a corner outfielder either, yet that's where he's been playing. He'll move to CF when Noot comes back, unless they decide to keep Scott there for some misguided reason, in which case Church will be on the bench.

Nice write.

You know my position. It’s one of chemistry. Of which this team seems maxed out on.

I see Noot as a left over from the old regime. I think he brings little over Church.

U assume your position is correct, except center. Church may be a better option but Scott will get plenty.

[rockondlouie]

It's definitely VSII who either moves to late inning defensive replacement/pinch runner or is shipped to Memphis (less likely since that HAS TO BE JAGesse).

While Noot should slid into that #5 slot, dropping Norman behind M. Winn into the #7 hole it doesn't make him a better hitter or cut down on his KO's.

The improvement in the offense comes from Noot essentially replacing VSII (even though it's N. Church taking over CF).

Can't wait!

[sikeston bulldog2]

It's definitely VSII who either moves to late inning defensive replacement/pinch runner or is shipped to Memphis (less likely since that HAS TO BE JAGesse).

While Noot should slid into that #5 slot, dropping Norman behind M. Winn into the #7 hole it doesn't make him a better hitter or cut down on his KO's.

The improvement in the offense comes from Noot essentially replacing VSII (even though it's N. Church taking over CF).

Can't wait!

What small amount of offense we get from him wontvoff set the chemistry kill.

There are rare instances in anything where the environment is stellar to perfect. It’s that way now, and I say, it’s a large part of their success. The STl cardinals are so tight you couldn’t push a fart thru.tifht as a goat horn. Tight.

On the other hand, I feel the team would embrace Torrres with no disruption of chemistry.

Why is that.

[pitchingandefense]

Noot has obviously dealt with a lot of injuries, and 2025 featured a variety of ailments. But when he has been healthy, he's been productive. In 2025 he started missing time in late June due to injuries and had an unproductive second half of the season. But from opening day 2022 through 6-1-25, over 1518 plate appearances he slashed .247/.351/.423 for a 118 wRC+. Currently Cardinals 5th hitters have compiled a slash line of .243/.306/.375 for a 93 wRC+, 10th worst in MLB, primarily Gorman.

So while Noot's power doesn't quite measure up to typical 5th place hitters, his overall production should be a valuable uptick for the lineup, allowing Gorman to hit lower in the order and removing Scott's unproductive bat. Scott then becomes the always valuable pinch runner/defensive replacement.

[Cusecards]

He can’t be relied upon, Ronnie. And he doesn’t have corner outfield power.

Baez-Church-Walker is probably the future.

It's not about reliability right now. This thread is about where to bat him, 5th or 7th. Regardless, he's coming back soon and they're going to play him.

Baez isn't coming up before Noot gets back. And when Baez does get the call, we'll deal with it them, but there's a very good chance it won't be this year. Church doesn't have the power for a corner outfielder either, yet that's where he's been playing. He'll move to CF when Noot comes back, unless they decide to keep Scott there for some misguided reason, in which case Church will be on the bench.

Agree 100%
The question now is about where to bat Noot?
Because:
*He figures to play LF.
*Some combo of Church/Scott in CF. Right now you have to lean to Church but Scott will continue to see PT.
*Regardless of whether Noot stays or is dealt(deadline? Offseason?) he HAS to play. And while his future productivity certainly can’t be predicted he clearly short term is better than Scott.

Like most I am skeptical on Noot moving forward.
But he is under team control so short term play him and then determine his value(in trade or staying).
For me ideally....I am hoping Baez emerges as a Corner OF paired with Walker. As for CF????
Not sure if Noot or Baez could handle it?
And yes I would rather have Noot hitting 5th than Gorman.

[rockondlouie]

It's definitely VSII who either moves to late inning defensive replacement/pinch runner or is shipped to Memphis (less likely since that HAS TO BE JAGesse).

While Noot should slid into that #5 slot, dropping Norman behind M. Winn into the #7 hole it doesn't make him a better hitter or cut down on his KO's.

The improvement in the offense comes from Noot essentially replacing VSII (even though it's N. Church taking over CF).

Can't wait!

What small amount of offense we get from him wontvoff set the chemistry kill.

There are rare instances in anything where the environment is stellar to perfect. It’s that way now, and I say, it’s a large part of their success. The STl cardinals are so tight you couldn’t push a fart thru.tifht as a goat horn. Tight.

On the other hand, I feel the team would embrace Torrres with no disruption of chemistry.

Why is that.

You keep forgetting BDog that Noot is an EXTREMELY well liked teammate, a lot longer than VSII has been.

There will be NO chemistry upset when he takes over LF and Church slides VSII to the bench.

Players want to win and they know Noot is the superior player.

Torres, on the other hand, is an outsider.

Not sure why you think Noot (EXTEMELY liked teammate for many years) is going to disrupt chemistry (and he's NOT) while a kid we know nothing about won't.

[sikeston bulldog2]

It's definitely VSII who either moves to late inning defensive replacement/pinch runner or is shipped to Memphis (less likely since that HAS TO BE JAGesse).

While Noot should slid into that #5 slot, dropping Norman behind M. Winn into the #7 hole it doesn't make him a better hitter or cut down on his KO's.

The improvement in the offense comes from Noot essentially replacing VSII (even though it's N. Church taking over CF).

Can't wait!

What small amount of offense we get from him wontvoff set the chemistry kill.

There are rare instances in anything where the environment is stellar to perfect. It’s that way now, and I say, it’s a large part of their success. The STl cardinals are so tight you couldn’t push a fart thru.tifht as a goat horn. Tight.

On the other hand, I feel the team would embrace Torrres with no disruption of chemistry.

Why is that.

You keep forgetting BDog that Noot is an EXTREMELY well liked teammate, a lot longer than VSII has been.

There will be NO chemistry upset when he takes over LF and Church slides VSII to the bench.

Players want to win and they know Noot is the superior player.

Torres, on the other hand, is an outsider.

Not sure why you think Noot (EXTEMELY liked teammate for many years) is going to disrupt chemistry (and he's NOT) while a kid we know nothing about won't.

Great response. I don’t know either. I think my issue is absence from team, spring training, clubhouse, etc. for so long.

[mattmitchl44]

I agree with Nootbaar sliding into 5th, but I think Winn should drop down to 9th to be a "second leadoff hitter" if Church replaces Scott in CF.

1. Wetherholt - L - 2B
2. Herrera - R - C/DH
3. Burleson - L - 1B
4. Walker - R - RF
5. Nootbaar - L - LF
6. Gorman - L - 3B
7. Pages - R - C (or a DH if Herrera catches)
8. Church - L - CF
9. Winn - R - SS

[Catfish4U]

Noot should hit fifth to build up his stats prior to the trade deadline! He should see better pitches with more runners onbase in the five spot.