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This subject has been touched on at various times, but with pitchers and catchers reporting in 44 days some guy/guys need to be moved, especially if Herrera is showing he’s healthy.
For 2026 they have Herrera, Pages, Crooks and Pozo with Bernal likely getting a lot of the Memphis games.
2027 – Bernal will surely be up.
2028-29 – RR will be readyIt’s definitely a great problem to have, but Crooks could bring back something decent if Herrera is healthy. He would be my pick to be moved.
Thoughts as to why/why not/why him?
Why not:
I have Herrera as LF/DH, that eventually includes Nootbaar at DH/LF, if Noot needs DH. If Noot doesn’t need DH, Walker has playing time issues with Ivan in LF. They could also just flip Noot to LF and Herrera to DH, if Walkers runway holds up.
Pages/Crooks to start the season at catcher for me, which is still good depth, but no logjamb in 25′. Crooks may have prospect value now, but I’d rather see where his value is after 26′, and address that future logjamb next winter.
I disagree we need to buy a FA vet outfielder, but if one comes back in mutual dump trade to move Arenado’s salary, I get it.
I see Bernal as our everyday catcher for the foreseeable future. For the time being, showcase Crooks. Start giving RR some reps in the outfield. If that’s not realistic, see how RR looks at first base. And if that’s not a realistic alternative, someone will have to come up with a Plan B.
So it’s shaping up like another slow day.
I having advocated trading Crooks before and still would do it. He should have decent trade value and I have consistently rated Bernal higher due to being a switch hitter.
A Pages/Pozo combo for 2026 is not exciting but I still think it is the best long term move with Bernal and Rodriguez on the way.
I still do not view Herrera as a catcher despite what the Cardinals say. He is a DH/1B/LF guy with a booming bat.
Herrera catching 50-60 games work, but I like him in LF or 1B just to keep him healthy and in every lineup.
On the same note for 2026, Leo and RR should be in the field on “DH” days.
Not maximizing a very good prospects value in trade is how the Cardinals ended up in this bad situation. Holding Crooks, Donnie, Jojo and Noot is beyond foolish.
Ivan will get the first crack at the starting C job and I don’t think it sounds like they have him prepping for LF at this point. We will see how things go in Spring Training to see if he looks improved with his throwing as that was the area he was the worst in. His framing and blocking were average. If Herrera is even slightly below average throwing, he still brings the most overall value at catcher if they have someone they can play at DH and 1B that will hit enough since Herrera’s bat is plus
If the Cards really think Herrera has a shot to stay at C, then with the redundancy it of Herrera, Pages, Crooks, Bernal, Rainel, at least one of Crooks / Bernal could be shifted to build a better roster. The current roster construction isn’t great with how LHH heavy it is and that is working against Crooks. I would consider trading Crooks to help get another pitcher, but only if the team thinks Herrera can stick. Otherwise if Herrera can’t, I am not putting all my eggs in either the Crooks or Bernal basket (Rainiel may be able to stick at C and join as well) and would rather have 2 shots of getting a starting catcher.
I do think Crooks may end up at Memphis again with Bernal in Springfield. Neither dominated their level and could use more time there with Herrera / Pages the catching duo with Pozo being the depth to let Crooks further develop. Rainiel will be in Peoria for at least half the year and then at the deadline they may be able to re-evaluate the situation.
After typing that out, I am guessing that is the most likely scenario this year. It doesn’t hurt to start Herrera at C to see if he can stick there as he would provide significant value if he could and there isn’t risk with a team that isn’t expected to be in the playoffs. Then Crooks and Bernal aren’t going to be rushed up and can take their time developing with the trade deadline being the time Herrera either doesn’t stick at C or if he can one of Crooks / Bernal being traded.
There is serious concern about Herrera’s play behind the plate…… will he get a chance to change some minds…. I mean the ones that count. If that concern is real that leaves us with Pages starting and Pozo back-up, with a grand succession of prospects following close behind. It will certainly become a logjam at some point, if not, already. I think it prudent for the younger guys to grab a bunch of different gloves and try them out. A little success might be the difference between MLB vs. AAA as the competition will likely become fierce.
As for Herrera…. “if he can hit they’ll find a spot for him.” and Herrera can hit.
Last year we had Sammy Hernandez in the 20s and Ryan Campos in the 30s. I guess they are going the wrong way.
Yeah BB I would personally consider both non-impact prospects at this point. I know Campos is in the TCN top 50, but I just don’t see him ever providing big league value.
I would absolutely not trade Crooks. Nice balance at the 2.
Unless Herrera just a complete turnaround on defense my guess is we carry 3 catchers heading in and he plays OF-DH most of the time.
Rained is a lot like Herrera in that he may not stick at catcher. But both bats will carry them. And Bernal and Rodriguez are still both very young.
Cfict, Crooks isn’t a short timer and could be developed while we are invested in that approach. Same for those catchers below him.
Donny, JoJo and Noot are just next, until someone accepts an extension offer. That’s a bad grouping of club control years for “hold on to” reasons.
We ended the season with Pages/Crooks.
AlbertTheMachine
I do think Crooks may end up at Memphis again with Bernal in Springfield. Neither dominated their level and could use more time there with Herrera / Pages the catching duo with Pozo being the depth to let Crooks further develop. Rainiel will be in Peoria for at least half the year and then at the deadline they may be able to re-evaluate the situation.
Agreed.
Crooks in Memphis makes the most sense. I’d personally like to see Pages traded, but I can see why they want him (and Pozo) given Herrera’s lack of catching skill.
Bernal then at AA and Rodriguez at A+ Peoria. I don’t see a logjam.
Happy NYE Pads, a friendly agree to disagree because I look at 2028 as the Cards window opening for contention. By then Bernal will surely be ready to switch hit his way into the starting position and bring his MILB gold glove with him.
Crooks value is likely not going to get any higher so cashing in now seems smartest/safest to me. No clue why, but I see Philly as a fit if Realmuto leaves.
Or a team like the Dodgers or Mariners who have star catchers already who I’d have to guess they would like to give a few extra days a week off to DH.
It’s pretty easy to decide what to do with our catching depth. I think Pages would split duty with Crooks. Pozo can add depth at STL or Memphis. But all 3 catchers in the Lou could be traded, and have options. Injuries might play a role. Bernal can start in Springfield for early 2026. It’s possible Rodriguez makes it to Springfield by mid 2026. This is all assuming Herrera DHS or is in left field.
If Bernal had not collapsed in the second half of the season, it would have been imperative to move Crooks to allow Bernal to progress.
But Bernal did collapse, so Crooks and Bernal get to run it back at the same levels.
I think it’ll sort itself out between performance and injuries.
Pages and Pozo are very pedestrian. Herrera will likely get hurt and can then hopefully move to the outfield to help improve one of if not the worst outfield in MLB.
Crooks didn’t hit at all but neither did Winn his first taste of the bigs.
If a young man shows up, can play good behind the plate, and hit .255 with 15 dingers the job is his.
It’s very likely we see Pages/Pozo as the catching combo for April and May or maybe Herrera/Pages. I think they eventually move Herrera out and make him the DH (I guess we could see a little left field too). At that point, if Crooks is ready, then it’s Pages/Crooks the rest of the way. Bernal goes to Memphis at that point and hopefully Raniel will then be ready for Springfield although I’m ok if Raniel spends nearly the entire season in High A learning to be a better catcher.
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