MLB: ***Official 2023 St. Louis Cardinals Thread ***

[cyIclSoneU]

Way too early opening day projections with a little bit of my own preference in it too.

Lineup:
1. Edman (SS)
2. Goldschmidt (1B)
3. Arenado (3B)
4. Contreras (C)
5. O'Neill (LF) (could win the CF job still)
6. Gorman (2B)
7. Yepez (DH)
8. Carlson (CF)
9. Nootbaar (RF)

Bench is Donovan, DeJong, Burleson, Herrera. If Walker makes the Opening Day roster then one of Yepez/Burleson should be in Memphis.

Rotation:
Wainwright
Montgomery
Mikolas
Liberatore
Matz

When Flaherty reaches 100%, that rotation could be crowded, although somebody is bound to get hurt. Waino gets the opening day start because he's Waino even though he's not a true ace obviously.

 

[cmjh10]

With the WBC coming up, a lot of these guys won’t be playing for us until they are done with that. I’m guessing Walker starts with STL opening day.

 

[Kaner04]

With the WBC coming up, a lot of these guys won’t be playing for us until they are done with that. I’m guessing Walker starts with STL opening day.

There’s certainly going to be a lot of at bats to go around

 

[matclone]

With Gorman reportedly having also done some major changes this off-season, I could see them letting DeJong (who has also revamped his swing) prove himself early in the season to set up a trade down the line as well.

Wasn't DeJong the one who revamped his swing last season and ended up hitting .157 after hitting .199 the year before?

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

Way too early opening day projections with a little bit of my own preference in it too.

Lineup:
1. Edman (SS)
2. Goldschmidt (1B)
3. Arenado (3B)
4. Contreras (C)
5. O'Neill (LF) (could win the CF job still)
6. Gorman (2B)
7. Yepez (DH)
8. Carlson (CF)
9. Nootbaar (RF)

Bench is Donovan, DeJong, Burleson, Herrera. If Walker makes the Opening Day roster then one of Yepez/Burleson should be in Memphis.

Rotation:
Wainwright
Montgomery
Mikolas
Liberatore
Matz

When Flaherty reaches 100%, that rotation could be crowded, although somebody is bound to get hurt. Waino gets the opening day start because he's Waino even though he's not a true ace obviously.

I would agree with your order and roster, but if Walker makes the team, he will be starting in left, moving Carlson over to right if O'Neil, can handle center and then Nootbaar becomes the 4th outfielder that can play all three positions.

Flaherty will be in the rotation instead of Liberatore, how so far as shown nothing to get excited about at the major league level.

 

[cmjh10]

Way too early opening day projections with a little bit of my own preference in it too.

Lineup:
1. Edman (SS)
2. Goldschmidt (1B)
3. Arenado (3B)
4. Contreras (C)
5. O'Neill (LF) (could win the CF job still)
6. Gorman (2B)
7. Yepez (DH)
8. Carlson (CF)
9. Nootbaar (RF)

Bench is Donovan, DeJong, Burleson, Herrera. If Walker makes the Opening Day roster then one of Yepez/Burleson should be in Memphis.

Rotation:
Wainwright
Montgomery
Mikolas
Liberatore
Matz

When Flaherty reaches 100%, that rotation could be crowded, although somebody is bound to get hurt. Waino gets the opening day start because he's Waino even though he's not a true ace obviously.

I have a hard time seeing Donovan not starting. So versatile defensively and maybe our most consistent bat.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

I have a hard time seeing Donovan not starting. So versatile defensively and maybe our most consistent bat.

True, but Gorman will be given every opportunity to make 2nd base his, if he can provide much needed power from the position. Donovan could very well end up being a super sub, starting 40 games at 2nd, 20 at 3rd and then another 10 to 20 at different positions around the field.

 

[Kaner04]

I would agree with your order and roster, but if Walker makes the team, he will be starting in left, moving Carlson over to right if O'Neil, can handle center and then Nootbaar becomes the 4th outfielder that can play all three positions.

Flaherty will be in the rotation instead of Liberatore, how so far as shown nothing to get excited about at the major league level.

I even think Nootbaar is ahead of Carlson at this point. Carlson has a lot to prove this spring. Needs to show more HR power than he’s shown.

 

[cyIclSoneU]

I have a hard time seeing Donovan not starting. So versatile defensively and maybe our most consistent bat.

I love Donovan. He’s one of those Swiss Army knives who works his ass off and always seems to come up clutch.

 

[cmjh10]

True, but Gorman will be given every opportunity to make 2nd base his, if he can provide much needed power from the position. Donovan could very well end up being a super sub, starting 40 games at 2nd, 20 at 3rd and then another 10 to 20 at different positions around the field.

A lot of ifs on this team, but if a few younger guys take the next step or return to form, look out. Could be a fun year.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

I even think Nootbaar is ahead of Carlson at this point. Carlson has a lot to prove this spring. Needs to show more HR power than he’s shown.

The Cards need one of the two to step up, hit better than .234. or 223 like they did last season, and hit 25 to 30 HR. The one that does that, will get the full-time job and the other will be the sub. Carlson is 24 and Nootbaar is 25 so age should not be much of a factor. I care less which one steps up, but the team needs one of the two to be a difference maker. The problem the Cards have had for a number of seasons is we have a lot of good, but we need some more great out of our outfield play.

 

[Kaner04]

The Cards need one of the two to step up, hit better than .234. or 223 like they did last season, and hit 25 to 30 HR. The one that does that, will get the full-time job and the other will be the sub. Carlson is 24 and Nootbaar is 25 so age should not be much of a factor. I care less which one steps up, but the team needs one of the two to be a difference maker. The problem the Cards have had for a number of seasons is we have a lot of good, but we need some more great out of our outfield play.

Metrics leads me to believe we’ll have a great year from Noot and Carlson may be a trade piece.

 

[Aclone]

 

[Aclone]

Metrics leads me to believe we’ll have a great year from Noot and Carlson may be a trade piece.

I’m not sure that comparing the metrics of a healthy Nootbaar and an injured Carlson should lead you to that conclusion.

 

[mramseyISU]

That kid really excites me a lot. I know they hype train left the station for him and Walker a while ago but I hope they don't get rushed to the show before they're ready.

If Walker is on the opening day roster you could very well be looking at a Cardinal winning back to back rookie of the year awards if Wynn gets called up full time next year.

 

[mramseyISU]

Tink Hence is going to be really good too in a year or two.

 

[mramseyISU]

That's encouraging.

 

[Kaner04]

I’m not sure that comparing the metrics of a healthy Nootbaar and an injured Carlson should lead you to that conclusion.

Maybe the injury was a factor but his 2021 metrics aren’t much better. At this point in his career with 1000 ABs he hasn’t hit the ball hard enough for me to put him down on the lineup every day

 

[Aclone]

 

[swiacy]

Heading to Palm Beach area for several weeks and will catch a game or two in Jupiter. I actually enjoy Spring training games more than games at Busch. Less hassle more laid back and smaller park.