- This topic has 128 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 5 months, 2 weeks ago by
.
-
Posts
-
I know there has been a lot of discussion already on the Donovan thread about this, but I fear it will be lost without its own thread.
Who do you think the Cardinals will sign as a veteran right-handed hitting outfielder? Or do you expect them to trade for one?
I think the Cards will and should acquire a guy fitting that description but also one that is a veteran and has shown leadership skills. Donovan is the oldest position player on the roster at 29 with Nootbaar behind him at 28. The team could use an injection of a veteran player even beyond the playing ability to help serve as an example to the younger guys.
We as fans obviously don’t know as much on the leadership characteristics, but assuming Austin Hays isn’t horrible there, I would target him. I would much prefer him over Andujar who others have mentioned as he is basically Jordan Walker but 5 years from now. A ton of hype, power in the bat with bad contact skils and horrible in the field
I think you’re right that this deserves its own thread, because it’s a pretty big question for the roster. My gut says the Cardinals are more likely to trade than sign a big free agent, especially given how they usually operate. They tend to look for controllable veterans or short-term fixes rather than splashy deals. A right-handed bat who can handle the corners and not kill them defensively seems like the target. That said, if the market drags on, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them grab a cheaper veteran on a one-year deal. Either way, it feels like they know they need to address it, the real question is how aggressive they’re willing to be.
Herrera to LF for me. RF & CF are #8 & 9 hitters. Church will give Scott some competition. Will they block Walker? I doubt it, but some competition in RF wouldn’t be a bad idea. We could use a righty Brad Miller.
I think three of the top options for RH OF are:
1. Miguel Andujar
2. Austin Hays
3. Harrison BaderAll three are platoon players offensively against LH pitching. Bader also brings a good glove but he may want a two year deal. Andjuar and Hays can be had on a one year deal so they seem more likely to me.
The outfield is set.
Nootbaar
Scott
WalkerIf we do sign a right handed hitting outfielder it will be one that isn’t worth a sh~t so why even bother.
The next few years in St. Louis aren’t going to be very successful.
r/Esteemed Rat
I’d just keep Herrera at DH, he probably is the best hitter on the roster, not sure he can stay healthy at a position.
I’d almost make an incentive based offer to Starling Marte, he is old as it gets but might be a good veteran presence and a decent hitter still….pickings are pretty slim on the free agency market.
Two things, sticking Herrera at DH for the next five years isn’t the end of the world, however, if he doesn’t work out at catcher at least playing an outfield position with a bat that is well above average isn’t the worst thing. Secondly, if Noot is showing, he is healthy in spring training, I could definitely see him being moved sometime in March.
Looking at the landscape, a trade feels more “Cardinals-y,” especially if they think they can buy low on someone coming off a down year. Teams with outfield depth might be willing to move a right-handed bat for pitching or prospects, which lines up with how St. Louis usually balances the roster. Free agency offers options, but most of the obvious names come with either age, defensive limitations, or a tag they may not love. If they do sign someone, I’d expect a short deal with incentives rather than a long commitment. Ultimately, it probably comes down to whether the front office believes the internal options can hold their own if they miss on a trade.
ChiTown, Noot’s time table will most likely put him as out all ST and then on rehab in April returning probably May I believe.
Herrera to LF for me, also, assuming that he can throw the ball to the infielder and not 15 ft to the infielder’s right or left.
I really like the idea of Herrera to the OF. I don’t think he’s a great catcher and he doesn’t shut down base stealing at all. he sure can hit though.
We have a lunch line of catchers already – I know he said he wants to catch but man we sure do need an outfielder that can hit over his own weight.
Ivan should want to catch. The positional adjustment is from worst (DH) to best (C), driving his war numbers up considerably. His bat at catcher would pay real good, soon, and is his best case. Contreras type value, but does Ivan need to come off catcher? TBD.
DH used to be -17.5 runs and LF -7.5, one war difference, but I’m not current. We wrecked Ivans’ Dwar numbers at DH this season. Take a look. DH is like an anchor to your overall numbers. If a club rotates thru DH, as we usually do, its a shared burden across the team.
DH should be and I’m sure it is judged differently for the amount of WAR a player has the opportunity to generate.
I don’t think anyone is fooled.
Bring back ex-Cardinal Tommy Pham for cheap. RH hitter, quality at-bats, plays LF, and can DH. Veteran presence. Doesn’t have to be long term either. He’s not going to hit 25 homers, but he’ll hit for way more average than he weighs.
He seems to meet the needed qualifications.Strongly disagree on Pham. I don’t want his “veteran experience” rubbing off on our youngsters at all. I think he and Vince Coleman would have had a “blast” together.
Yeah Pham isn’t really the veteran leader I’d pick for any locker room.
Surely there are better choices that are more like Kile Gibson?
Maybe a guy who went to Asia to resuscitate his career. Any former MLB RH outfielders have a good year for the Carp or the Canned Hams?
About now Mo would be handing out an overpaid reunion contract, to a guy who should retire. Or, an affordable vet presence at the clubhouse ping-pong table, like Cutch wouldn’t surprise.
Bloom is probably going to drink the 2026 version of the Walker Koolaide and if he continues to be a disaster out there then by that time the only thing he’ll be able to do is bring up whoever this years Nathan Church is from AAA.
I just don’t see Walker ever being even league average at the plate or in the field. Im all for keeping him at AAA and letting him try to sort himself out there. If he can dominate in Memphis that’s great but I do not want to watch him stink it up in STL but Bloom hasn’t called me to discuss.
I am all for giving Walker Spring training plus roughly a month and a half to see if he can at least hit and field at major league average (or some balance of the two that equals average). If he doesn’t, send him down with his final option for a last-ditch chance to attempt to fix his swing at Memphis. I am confident that he could be at least an average fielder in RF. But the hitting part is a mystery.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.