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Gotcha.
But look at the defensive ratings for Burleson and Walker in 2023, and imagine that impact on pitching.
I still recall in September, 2023, when everybody was talking about how much Walker had improved in the outfield, and he had five misplays in two games.
– two of them were two-base errors
– one was a one base error
– twice guys ended up on third with a tripleOn one of the plays that was a triple – it was what should have been a bloop single. Landed 20 feet in front of Walker. They cut away to show the baserunner chugging for second, then cut back to Walker running down the ball 50 feet behind him. Then show the guy coasting into third with a triple.
That was our defense in 2023.
I thought the pitching improved in 24′, both rotation and bullpen. Did the outfield corners improve defensively in 24′ also?
I don’t know what Bloom’s pedigree is with analytics.
I do know he’s credited with building a good player development system in Boston
Good enough at Tampa to get the Boston job.
LACF said:
I don’t know what Bloom’s pedigree is with analytics.
“Despite a low Tampa Bay payroll, Bloom consistently fielded competitive teams. The franchise had been one of the most innovative under his management; he integrated analytics into all aspects of the game. He was an early user of breakthrough strategies, now more widely used, such as a much heavier emphasis on shifts and the use of openers (starting games with relief pitchers). Bloom is also known for his prowess in developing starting pitchers…”
number of games won vs total money spent (since 2020) pic.twitter.com/mXduq17JYZ
— BrooksGate (@Brooks_Gate) January 6, 2025
Well the Cards almost hit the X and Y axis of mediocrity.
Thanks for posting that chart BHC. I have talked extensively about three of the four teams in the category of “not spending money but winning games” and how BDW wants to join that club.
This is great news the Cards are close to a multi-year deal with Donovan. Hopefully they also get an extra year or two of control.
It is reported they also had discussions with Nootbaar
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/cardinals-brendan-donovan-multi-year-deal.html
I’m officially a Sonny Gray fan. My voice has been loud for a rebuild. But not because of guys like this.
I hope Bill looks at how much the Dodgers are spending this year and realize this Cards team has absolutely zero chance of beating the Dodgers in the playoffs. Commit to a “reset” and trade off Helsey and Fedde for some guys that can hopefully contribute in 26 and beyond. I don’t care about salary dumps, just focus on acquiring talent.
Seems more and more likely that absolutely nada is going to happen this off-season with this team other than all the FA have gone. With that said, best case scenario we’ll see something along the lines of,
vs. RHP
1. Donovan – LF (L)
2. Winn – SS (R)
3. Nootbaar – CF (L)
4. Contreras – 1B (R)
5. Burleson – DH (L)
6. Arenado – 3B (R)
7. Walker – RF (R)
8. Gorman – 2B (L)
9. Herrera/Pages – C (R)Saggese – IF(R), ??? – UT, Saini – OF (L), Pages/Herrera – C (R)
Vs. LHP
1. Donovan – LF (L)
2. Winn – SS (R)
3. Nootbaar – CF (L)
4. Contreras – 1B (R)
5. Arenado – 3B (R)
6. Walker – RF (R)
7. Herrera – C (R)
8. Gorman – DH (L)
9. Saggese – 2B (R)???-UT, Burleson- 1B/RF(L), Siani- OF(L), Pages- C(R)
Late game Siani can come into CF, Nootbaar to RF or Siani to CF, Nootbaar to LF, Donovan to 2B.
Gray, Fedde, Matz(L), Mikolas, Pallante
Liberatore(L), Graceffo, King(L), ???, Leahy, Romero(L), Fernandez, Helsley
I say Graceffo in the pen because the AAA rotation already looks heavy and without moving any SP McGreevy seems to be the odd man out yet again. Graceffo seems to be a long shot to get a SP look, so I say use him as a long man in the pen and see what he looks like. The last RP spot there is O’Brien, Roycroft, Loutos, Svanson. I guess they could start McGreevy and move Pallante back to the pen, but the way he pitched out of the rotation last season it seems very unlikely. I think McGreevy will be in AAA and awaiting the first injury to the rotation to get his shot again.
I hope Bill looks at how much the Dodgers are spending this year and realize this Cards team has absolutely zero chance of beating the Dodgers in the playoffs. Commit to a “reset” and trade off Helsey and Fedde for some guys that can hopefully contribute in 26 and beyond. I don’t care about salary dumps, just focus on acquiring talent.
Recent comments I’ve seen suggest Bill wants a reset, but they can’t move their bloated contracts of aging players. They set priority 1 as trading Arenado and haven’t moved past it. I think they easily could have found good deals for Helsley and Fedde. And while it doesn’t free up the same money or open a spot for Gorman to get to 3B and Donovan to 2B, it clears up some and also would add quite a bit to the system. Their payroll is going to be around $150 million with the way it stands now. I saw a comment from the Cubs owner saying something along the lines of I’ve heard fans say to open up the wallet and spend the money like the Dodgers are, but that money isn’t there and they are just trying to break even from year to year. Basically saying the same thing the DeWitt’s have said previously while everyone keeps saying spend, spend, spend. The Dodgers may be really good the next 2-5 years, but we’ll see what happens after. Players will age and they have a LOT of differed money that could really put them in a bind in the future. Guess we’ll see.
Nice read Cards667, ty.
Noot in CF: Bellinger keeps reminding me of the value “CF capable” adds to a players overall value.
Noot is an arb1, which suggests short term asset to our FO. I’m undecided if him moving to CF would help, or hurt his value, if his health could survive CF. You have a take on that?
Things should happen as the trade deadline approaches. Contenders will be all over a Hensley rental. If NA has a weak first half he’ll probably be left on the shelf.
FWIW, today, Nootbaar admitted he needs to stop running into walls. He is clearly focused on trying to stay healthy above all else. For me, I would keep him away from CF for now in hopes it would improve the chances of getting 150 healthy games from him.
Noot in CF: Bellinger keeps reminding me of the value “CF capable” adds to a players overall value.
I would keep him away from CF for now in hopes it would improve the chances of getting 150 healthy games from him.
Thanks.
I think Noot is capable in CF, but not going to wow anybody. They say Gorman is going to play. Arenado is still at 3B. Gorman is going to have to play 2B. Donovan has to be in the lineup so he gets forced back into LF. Nootbaar has to be in the lineup. They are going to keep developing Walker in RF. So Nootbaar is going to have to play CF. If its a late game situation and upping the defense then Siani can go into CF and adjust wherever else. But putting Nootbaar in CF gives them by far their best, and deepest, lineup. I just really hope they use Donovan as the leadoff hitter. He’s their best option, not that Winn was bad, but Donovan leading off allows Winn to hit second and I like 1-3 of Donovan, Winn, Nootbaar the most. Then putting Contreras, Burleson, Arenado behind it to drive them in. Also sandwiching Burleson between to right hand hitters should help with late in LH pitching changes. I’m sure Oli won’t agree at all and we’ll see Winn, Burleson, Arenado, Donovan, Contreras, Nootbaar, Herrera, Walker, Gorman/Siani. With Donovan in LF with Gorman and at 2B with Siani. And I really don’t like that line-up. If they are going to move one of those 3 out of the top 3 it should be Winn, and that will probably be the last one Oli moves out of the top of the order. Not that I don’t really like Winn, which is why I say still hit him 2nd, but Donovan and Nootbaar need to be hitting early in the line-up and getting as many plate appearances as possible and using their OBP skill. The utility spot probably looks like one of the minor league signings in Barrero or Vilade, but I supposed Fermin or Prieto could make a push for it. But I think Barrero and Vilade more “utility” will give them an advantage over strictly IF of Fermin or Prieto. Prieto being a left handed hitter hurts his chances too. I guess Baker has a chance at the bench also and DH against LHP instead of Gorman. But, I think having someone with more versatility defensively would be more valuable.
The roster last season had 5 lefty bats or more vs rhp’s. The stagger suggests a leadoff lefty.
Winn is an old school #2 batter with his oppo skills anyway, but Oli may treat Contreras / Nado as he did GoldeNado batting 3/4. That really clumps the lefties, again.Did Gorman hit lefties better than Burly in the minors? From what i’ve seen at mlb, he does, but it’s such a sss. Gorman keeps his front side in better/longer vs lhp’s, imo, so it wouldn’t surprise me.
I’ll be highly surprised if the Nootz appears in 150 games in a season over the course of his career.
Did Gorman hit lefties better than Burly in the minors? From what i’ve seen at mlb, he does, but it’s such a sss. Gorman keeps his front side in better/longer vs lhp’s, imo, so it wouldn’t surprise me.
I’m not sure about minors. But I know over the course of 1,179 PA (957 vs RHP, 222 vs LHP) Gorman has a .743 OPS vs RHP and .707 vs LHP. 34% K vs both, slight percent points lower vs LHP, but basically the same. And both need to be MUCH lower.
Burleson has 995 PA (821 vs RH, 174 vs LH). .747 OPS vs RHP and .533 vs LHP. 13% K vs 14%, but for 2024 it was a .805 vs .514 OPS platoon split and 13% K vs both. Burleson is Lindor, Christian Walker, Corbin Carrol, Carlos Correa good when facing RHP, but he’s Austin Hedges and not even Martin Maldonado when facing LHP. They absolutely have to platoon him. Gorman can probably hold his own, Nootbaar and Donovan have track record to show they absolutely can play against LHP, especially Nootbaar.
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