Eight Roman Catholic clergy members who remained untouched during the trade deadline but may get moved during the upcoming offseason
In the world of Major League Baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals have two rising stars who have been making waves this season: Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera. While both players have shown impressive offensive prowess, their defensive profiles have raised some concerns.
Alec Burleson, a 26-year-old left-handed outfielder, has been the club's standout hitter outside of Ivan Herrera this year. He's currently entrenched in the heart of the team's lineup, having hit a team-leading 14 home runs and driven in 48 runs. Burleson's offensive abilities are evident in his .287/.341/.469 slash line and a 126 OPS+, which suggests that his offensive potential has yet to reach its peak.
However, Burleson's defensive skills are a cause for concern. His negative Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and Outs Above Average (OAA) in both left and right field indicate that he may struggle in the field. This, coupled with his lack of positional versility, has led some to question his defensive viability, even in the corner outfield and at first base.
On the other hand, Ivan Herrera, primarily known as a catcher, has recently been shifted by the Cardinals to play in the outfield and as a designated hitter. Defensively, Herrera is graded as "fine" in pitch framing and blocking balls in the dirt; however, his defensive throwing remains a key weakness. He has caught only 4 of 59 base stealers attempts, leading to him being surpassed on the depth chart by Pedro Pages for catching duties.
The Cardinals have even refrained from putting Herrera behind the plate during his rehab stint and seem to believe that catching may be contributing to his injuries. As a result, they are exploring other defensive roles for him, including left field.
Despite their defensive concerns, both Burleson and Herrera have been key contributors to the team's offensive production this season. However, the Cardinals' roster already boasts defense-first players at catcher, shortstop, third base, and center field. This could lead to the front office considering Burleson as an expendable player this offseason, especially if trading him could provide them with a mid-rotation starting pitcher, as suggested by Chaim Bloom's potential goal to reset the system.
It's important to note that while Ivan Herrera is a better offensive player compared to Alec Burleson, Burleson is under team control until he becomes a free agent in 2029, giving the Cardinals more time to develop his defensive skills or find a more suitable position for him.
In conclusion, while both Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera have shown impressive offensive abilities this season, their defensive liabilities have raised questions about their long-term roles with the St. Louis Cardinals. As the team considers its options for the offseason, the potential trade of Alec Burleson for a mid-rotation starting pitcher could be on the table.
Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera, despite their defensive concerns, have been crucial to the offensive performance of the St. Louis Cardinals this season. In baseball, both play key positions – Burleson as a left-handed outfielder, and Herrera primarily as a catcher, but also in the outfield and designated hitter roles.
