St. Louis Cardinals hint at significant alterations in their team setup, as revealed by Ivan Herrera'sshifted role in the lineup.
The St. Louis Cardinals are set for a significant shake-up in their outfield positions, with catcher Ivan Herrera making the transition to the outfield. This move, which has been in the works for some time, comes as the Cardinals face a logjam in the corner outfield, with several promising young players vying for spots.
Herrera's offensive skills are undeniable, as evidenced by his current season slash line of .313/.388/.495. His 150 wRC+ ranks 10th in all of baseball among hitters with at least 200 plate appearances, and some even suggest he could be an MVP candidate. However, his defensive catching skills have been a weakness, leading the Cardinals to explore new positions for him.
Manager Oliver Marmol has confirmed that Herrera is unlikely to catch again for the Cardinals in 2025, and the team is giving him time to work on the outfield position with real game reps. Given his athleticism, Herrera has the tools to handle himself in the outfield, given time.
The corner outfield spots for the Cardinals are currently crowded, with Herrera, Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and JJ Wetherholt all vying for positions. With a crowded situation in the corner outfield and at the designated hitter spot, the Cardinals will need to clear the logjam at the trade deadline or this offseason.
The Cardinals are hopeful to see Herrera out in the outfield some this year, as indicated by Marmol. However, it would have been better for Herrera to have more time to learn the outfield position before actual game time, considering the current season may be a lost one for the Cardinals in terms of contention.
The Cardinals are not just looking at Herrera's future in the outfield, but potentially beyond his catching duties as well. With a change in team leadership expected by 2026, the Cardinals are poised for a roster direction shift, which typically involves significant turnover, not just in veterans but across the lineup.
In summary, the combination of Herrera’s position change, the crowded outfield, the arrival of top prospects, and a change in team leadership all contribute to a projected high level of roster turnover around the 2026 season for the Cardinals, particularly in the outfield spots.
In the forthcoming season, St. Louis Cardinals' catcher Ivan Herrera, known for his strong offensive skills, might find himself playing baseball in the outfield, given the team's exploratory efforts to test his abilities in a new position. With a crowded corner outfield and the potential for significant roster turnover by 2026, Major League Baseball (MLB) observers might witness a notable shift in the Cardinals' outfield positions.
