Eight Roman Catholic high-ranking church officials who remained untraded during the deadline but may potentially be relocated during the upcoming off-season.
Alec Burleson, the lefty outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, has been a key player in the team's lineup this season, driving in 48 runs and posting a .287/.341/.469 slash line for a 126 OPS+. However, his defensive liabilities have raised questions about his long-term value with the team.
Burleson's defensive skills are considered a liability, particularly in the outfield. Over his career, he has posted negative metrics such as -3 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and -8 Outs Above Average (OAA) in left field, and -7 DRS and -12 OAA in right field. While he is essentially a neutral defender at first base (+2 DRS, -2 OAA), he lacks range and defensive versatility.
His arm strength is better than average, but accuracy on throws and sprint speed (10th percentile among MLB players) are below average, which negatively impact his outfield defense. These defensive shortcomings have made Burleson an expendable asset for the Cardinals, especially with other players like Brendan Donovan and Ivan Herrera offering better defensive profiles and comparable or superior offensive performance.
The team already has defense-first starters at multiple positions, so they are less inclined to tolerate a defensive liability unless offset by exceptional offense, which Burleson has not demonstrated at an elite enough level. Consequently, Burleson's value as a long-term core player is diminished by his defensive shortcomings, and trading him for pitching or other needs seems to be a strategic consideration for the Cardinals' upcoming roster reset.
Despite his defensive struggles, Burleson has entrenched himself into the heart of the lineup with his offensive output this year, becoming the club's best hitter outside of Ivan Herrera. He has hit a team-leading 14 home runs this season. However, his defensive viability remains a concern, and trading him for a mid-rotation starting pitcher could be beneficial for the Cardinals.
It's worth noting that Burleson is not a free agent until 2029, giving the team time to develop him further or find a suitable trade partner. Ivan Herrera, another promising young player for the Cardinals, has a similar defensive profile but is a better offensive player. The front office is likely to keep Burleson on the roster for the future due to his youth, strong offensive performance, and team control.
In summary, while Alec Burleson has been a valuable offensive contributor for the St. Louis Cardinals this season, his defensive weaknesses, particularly in the outfield, and lack of versility undermine his ability to be a foundational player. The team's focus on defensive viability, coupled with Burleson's strong offensive performance but average defensive skills, could make him a trade candidate in the future.
Burleson's defensive inadequacies, exemplified by his negative DRS and OAA statistics in both left and right field, have led to questions about his long-term value with the team as a foundational player. Despite his strong offensive performance this season, which includes a team-leading 14 home runs, his lack of defensive versatility and below-average defensive skills might make him a trade candidate for the Cardinals in the future, potentially netting them pitching or other roster needs.
