I’m somewhat disappointed to hear that Ivan is going to continue trying to be a mlb catcher. Perhaps Contreras’ impressive and seamless transition to first is coloring my view, but I just don’t see a way that Herrera couldn’t be a competent left fielder for 140 games.
While I most definitely do not want him to be a full-time DH, I just don’t see how he doesn’t continue to be a liability behind the plate. With all of the renewed emphasis on training and beefed-up coaching, I still have faith that the likes of a Raniel Rodriguez could be coached into an average-ish backstop, but it seems like making that happen w Herrera just doesn’t line up with his MLB timeline. His time is now, in other words!
Am I over my skis on this one? Talk me down Dayn! Talk me down!
How long will the Cardinals stick with Herrera as a catcher? I am not a catching expert, but if his primary problem is a total inability to control the running game, how can that skill improve? I assume pop time can improve with reps (and he reportedly worked on that), but isn't it much harder to improve arm strength this far into his development? Would he be better off focusing on learning to play LF this season? I say yes because his bat plays there, LF is the best place to hide a weaker defender with a poor arm, and he would be a great value solution to our long-term OF problem (assuming he can become a slightly below average to average defender).
This has been harpened on, but what's our playoff contention timeline? 2 years until then? 1 the front office plays their cards right and the prospects in the system now mostly work out? And how do you think the looming strike and labor negotiations will affect this year's class of free agents? Shorter deals with higher aav, perhaps. If you think a labor shutdown is probable, how does that effect the cardinals?
What do reasonable expectations for this offseason look like as the rebuild finally starts in earnest? Moving NTC players Arenado and Gray should be a priority, assuming ownership is willing to eat more of Arenado's contract and some of Gray's contract. But what about other established players, such as Donovan or Gorman (assuming Nootbaar is untradable post surgery)? And would Bloom look to move a young catcher to address pitching or other roster needs? Can we assume he will avoid the Mozeliak pitfall of half-assed/half-measured efforts to reshape the roster/accelerate a return to contention? For free agency, might they target a veteran depth starter on a short term deal and a RH hitting OF who can play all three OF spots?
A colllege football question. What are your predictions for head coach at
Penn State
LSU
Florida
Auburn
Arkansas
If Chaim Bloom was a character from the Wire, which character would he be and why?
Who is your favorite character from the Wire and why?
I’m somewhat disappointed to hear that Ivan is going to continue trying to be a mlb catcher. Perhaps Contreras’ impressive and seamless transition to first is coloring my view, but I just don’t see a way that Herrera couldn’t be a competent left fielder for 140 games.
While I most definitely do not want him to be a full-time DH, I just don’t see how he doesn’t continue to be a liability behind the plate. With all of the renewed emphasis on training and beefed-up coaching, I still have faith that the likes of a Raniel Rodriguez could be coached into an average-ish backstop, but it seems like making that happen w Herrera just doesn’t line up with his MLB timeline. His time is now, in other words!
Am I over my skis on this one? Talk me down Dayn! Talk me down!
How long will the Cardinals stick with Herrera as a catcher? I am not a catching expert, but if his primary problem is a total inability to control the running game, how can that skill improve? I assume pop time can improve with reps (and he reportedly worked on that), but isn't it much harder to improve arm strength this far into his development? Would he be better off focusing on learning to play LF this season? I say yes because his bat plays there, LF is the best place to hide a weaker defender with a poor arm, and he would be a great value solution to our long-term OF problem (assuming he can become a slightly below average to average defender).
This has been harpened on, but what's our playoff contention timeline? 2 years until then? 1 the front office plays their cards right and the prospects in the system now mostly work out? And how do you think the looming strike and labor negotiations will affect this year's class of free agents? Shorter deals with higher aav, perhaps. If you think a labor shutdown is probable, how does that effect the cardinals?
What do reasonable expectations for this offseason look like as the rebuild finally starts in earnest? Moving NTC players Arenado and Gray should be a priority, assuming ownership is willing to eat more of Arenado's contract and some of Gray's contract. But what about other established players, such as Donovan or Gorman (assuming Nootbaar is untradable post surgery)? And would Bloom look to move a young catcher to address pitching or other roster needs? Can we assume he will avoid the Mozeliak pitfall of half-assed/half-measured efforts to reshape the roster/accelerate a return to contention? For free agency, might they target a veteran depth starter on a short term deal and a RH hitting OF who can play all three OF spots?