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BW, does that mean Fowler in RF? I get that they defer to the veterans, but the downside is so huge. I hope Fowler doesn’t get much time if he’s not hitting.
Observing Mo’s M.O., Fowler will be a starter unless he craters again. Too much of an investment to be on the bench. Carlson will be a starter. Which means the 3rd starter will either be Bader, O’Neill, or someone from the outside. I’m guessing he’ll need to get someone from the outside or he’ll be skewered by the majority of the fans.
stlcard25 asked:
BW, does that mean Fowler in RF?
Yes. My first sentence was that I do not see them messing with Fowler. He has been and until we are told otherwise will continue to the starter in right. At the end, I added the caveat – until someone hits better than him. As of yet, no one has stepped up to take away his job.
I will add that it could be interesting if a new OF is brought in. If he is good enough to start every day, would the Cards be willing to have O’Neill and Fowler fight for at-bats?
P.S. Others should weigh in too. This is just my read of the situation, but no one can see the future with 100% clarity…
I would be very surprised if Fowler is not the starter in RF everyday. He would have to crater pretty bad to get benched.
Against RH pitching:
RF Fowler
CF Carlson
LF External player(Pederson) or EdmanAgainst LH pitching:
RF Fowler
CF Bader
LF CarlsonO’Neill is going to need a great spring training to get AB’s.
If Fowler and Carlson are everyday starters as switch hitters, then I would think the 3rd outfielder will need the profile of a corner outfielder. Since the Cards came in last in doubles, home runs, and total bases in MLB, and Fowler doesn’t profile as a corner outfielder, they need some power in that third outfield slot. They either take a chance on O’Neill again or go outside.
If they don’t bring in another outfielder, O’Neill will probably get another chance to win a position. They like his ceiling.
I agree with that, Forsch. The outfield in 2021 could very well be –
O’Neill – Carlson – Fowler
But if they take that risk, they need a short term power bat at 3B to be on the safe side.
I am in favor of bringing in an outfielder to provide offensive production as well as a 3Bman. However, the realist in me says there is no way the Cardinals do that.
I wouldn’t disagree with cashing in on Baders current trade value this offseason. This may be his peak.
What would you expect the value difference be between Thomas and Bader next season with the same playing time?
I think Thomas, with regular playing time, would be better with the bat than Bader but I was disappointed with his fielding this year. Overall, in 2021, I think Thomas would be a little less valuable. By the end of the year, Thomas MIGHT have more value.
If Bader and Thomas are not viewed as starters (above), that diminishes Baders’ D value and increases Thomas expected PH value, as bench players.
Just as an example, a Bader for JD Davis trade, helps solidify offensive production from 3B and adds a corner OF bat option. Financially not effecting the OF addition possibility, just shifting current OF depth towards 3B.
If an OF addition is made, with Carlson and Fowler as starters also, O’Neill, Bader and Thomas becomes redundant without even adding Edman to the mix. Of O’Neill, Bader and Thomas, Bader has the cash in now trade value, is what I’m getting at. It’s still a fringy starter / bench role transaction, but possibly in the right direction?
I would have no problem trading Bader. The key is what teams are needing a center fielder that we would match up with? I would probably concentrate on getting a piece we could flip in a package for Kirilloff.
If Edman gets most of the playing time at one OF position, it might indeed be a possibility to put Bader on the trading block to get some value back because of his defense.
If Edman gets most of the playing time at ANY OF position, the Cardinals are going to continue to have a below-average MLB outfield in 2021. Both thumbs down.
Edman should have nothing to do with Bader. Both O’Neill and Carlson are better outfielders than Edman and can cover CF if Bader is traded. Thomas is also a possibility.
Further, if Bader remains, he should only play against LHP, which is a minority of the time.
Some of these outfielders will be non-tendered and made free agents, but the deadline is still five weeks away.
My point remains. Edman should not be a regular outfielder.
You are one who often points out the dire need for SLG. Corner OF is the place to get it. You don’t put a utility infielder out there every day and expect to improve.
I don’t want Edman in LF. But you might see him there if you have Carlson in CF and Fowler in RF. The Cards might want to keep Wong at lead off and Edman second in the lineup.
I’d like to see Carlson tried in the second spot in the order, between Wong and Goldy. One of the basics is to put your better hitters as close to the top as possible.
Another option is a healthy Fowler, who was one of the team’s better hitters before he went out. Fowler was dealing with illness and fatigue long before he went on the IL, but here was his line when he had to stop playing.
.279/.347/.485/.832
For the season, that OPS would have been second on the team to Goldy. His SLG would have been no. 1.
But he was awful after his return. It was only eight regular season games plus the three in the playoffs, though.
Yes, to the media. Some outlets do post the recordings later for the public – sometimes all and sometimes just snippets. I usually take written notes real time and summarize afterward.
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