- This topic has 292 replies, 33 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 9 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
If Yepez and Burleson replace Pujols and Dickerson, the 4th outfielder is Donovan.
That still leaves PDJ, Edman and Gorman up the middle.
Look at Donovans batting numbers and imagine what a FA outfielder would cost, who could match his production.
Donovan can play a corner OF for me. I prefer him over O’Neill to finish the season.
Look at Donovans batting numbers and imagine what a FA outfielder would cost, who could match his production.
JJ… good comment. It has me thinking that Donovan (although primarily an infielder coming up, has added some spark with his bat and hustle) was like acquiring an OF at a minimum cost that would provide some production. I wish that they had taught Gorman how to play LF… Monday morning QBing.
Donovan in the OF this year…-1 DRS in 243 innings, +3.1 UZR/150, -3 OAA. One number represents a pretty ok fielder and the other two are reason to worry. Donovan’s scouting grades on defense were poor coming up, so I tend to lean toward the latter. Bottom line…I think he’s probably a liability everywhere, which the Cards probably believe too given how much they have DHed him lately.
Isn’t Donovan a good guy to spell for a game or two at a number of positions? Valuable because of his flexibility, even though he isn’t great at defense at any of those positions?
Gscott, I dont see the Dodgers paying Bellinger 17 million (Plus luxury tax). They will non tender him. He may choose tô sign there at a lower salary.
That will be interesting to watch. $20M is a lot to spend on a .200 hitter but they might do it. They like their internals.
If they do non-tender him I suspect he stays with the Dodgers anyway but if not I would like to have him with the Cards on a cheapish one or two year deal.
25, Donovans bat this season more than cancels out O’Neills D. If and when that changes, you change starters. Play who is playing well. Right now O’Neill should be a defensive replacement with vs lefty starts.
Which player has helped us win more games?
WPA: Donovan 0.6, O’Neill -0.5
BRO’Neill has moved into Edmans skill set you mentioned a couple days ago. Great D and baserunning, below avg bat. Edman 96, O’Neill 85 ops+.
If we are looking for a stopgap OF would you rather have Cody Bellinger on a two year deal or Joey Gallo on a one year deal? I would argue that there isn’t a ton of difference between the two except Gallo would be cheaper. It is interesting that they are currently on the same roster. They are both kind of the LH version of Tyler O’Neill although Tyler will hit for a higher average.
Bellinger is much better defensively and more versátile in the OF. If I wanted a Gallo type I’d Just stick with Burelson.
These are the Cardinals we are talking about, right? Wouldn’t more outfielders fall behind catching and pitching in terms of spending priorities? If you believe that, there most likely won’t be millions left over for OFs who will likely cost millions, which is why they typically sign Dickerson-like free agents, not Bellinger types. JMO…
P.S. I am surprised no one mentions Jeff Albert – as in “How can he fix Bellinger?” 😉
Well this isn’t Bellinger circa 2019. His value has dropped. Yes I would prioritize pitching and catching over the OF but the Cardinals may be prepared to roll with Herrera and Knizner. That will be an interesting decision for them to make.
Agreed. It all depends on priorities. I would just be surprised to see them spend say $10 MM on an OF. Even $5 MM for Dickerson seemed pricey for them. Then again, if they feel they need a short-term starter (as opposed to a guy coming off the bench), they would need to ante up.
There is also the matter of timing. It wouldn’t surprise me if they repeated what they did this spring. They only went out and got Dickerson (and Pujols) when the young guys tried in camp (especially Yepez and Nootbaar) did not step up. At that point, the name brand free agents had already been signed.
(P.S. I also think Jordan Walker is coming sooner than do many here.)
Gallo would be an interesting pillow-contract type. I’m curious what his market will look like next year, because this season has been horrible. That said, if he goes for the prove-it deal, no way he comes to St. Louis where he doesn’t have a clear path to plate appearances. If the Cardinals are adding to their outfield without getting rid of anyone currently on the roster, it will have to be a cheap, veteran 4th outfielder type. They would have to settle for someone like Kiki Hernandez or Andrew McCutchen, if dipping into free agency. I will also re-state Jason Heyward, if the Cubs can’t find a trade partner and end up just releasing him.
I have no problem going with O’Neill, Carlson, Noot, Donovan, Yepez, and Burleson for OF/DH duties next year, however as some others have pointed out, are we thin in CF defensively?
Kyl, I would consider Gallo or Heyward on a cheap one year deal. They mostly play RF but can play CF in a pinch.
They will not be signing an outfielder, but I would not rule out a trade that brings in a Trout or Harper-type of value.
Brian, the Cards have not historically prioritized catching upgrades. They of course hás Molina as a starter but certainly Always went cheap on the backup. I dont see them spending for a catcher.
I think they Will take the atitude that Monty was their upgrade for pitching for 2023. Dont see them depending there either.
It was me who suggested Bellinger but I did só based on a potential of him being available for around $5 million (what we paid Dickerson)
Since they have had Molina for almost two decades, before Mo was GM, there is no precedent for needing a starting catcher – from the outside (or inside for that matter). The last time they were in this situation was when they signed Mike Matheny as a free agent in 1999 to be the starting catcher.
I would take Bellinger for $5 MM in a heartbeat, but I bet he will cost much, much more.
Brian, vou are the one that implied that the Cardinals’ history suggests that they would prioritize catching over OF.
Over the last 2 years Bellinger and Dejong have been pretty close offensively. They are both at or near GG caliber at a premium defensive position. Would anyone sign Dejong for $5 million?
CC said:
Brian, vou are the one that implied that the Cardinals’ history suggests that they would prioritize catching over OF.
I did not mean to create that impression. I simply mean that I think that C is a bigger need than OF for 2023. So is pitching. So I suspect that is where the additional spend could be allocated.
Over the last 2 years Bellinger and Dejong have been pretty close offensively. They are both at or near GG caliber at a premium defensive position. Would anyone sign Dejong for $5 million?
Though both have struggled in 2021 and 2022, I don’t think most observers consider those two players to be comparable in terms of 2023 value. Even in his down year of 2022, Bellinger has 17 home runs, which is more than any Cardinal other than Goldy and Arenado while DeJong spent months in Triple-A.
Bellinger was ROY, has an MVP, 2 All-Stars, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, etc. PDJ has one All-Star. Bellinger has four above average MLB seasons offensively, Paul has just two despite being two years older.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.