The St. Louis Cardinals currently hold a 9-10 record as they gear up for their weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Interestingly, it’s been their pitching and defense that have primarily propelled them to victories thus far. Despite this, their offensive production, as indicated by their OPS ranking 24th in the league, has been lacking, with key hitters like Paul Goldschmidt, Jordan Walker, and Nolan Gorman struggling to find their form at the start of the season.
I am of the opinion that the Cardinals possess all the necessary components to field a formidable offense in baseball. It’s notable that they are hovering around .500 despite their offensive strengths not fully materializing yet. However, it’s imperative for the team to swiftly address the current struggles of their offense. Therefore, it might be prudent to contemplate significant changes to reignite their offensive potency.
Here are three adjustments that I propose could ignite the offense at this juncture, allowing the prominent hitters to regain their rhythm.
Shift Lars Nootbaar to the center field position.
I understand the Cardinals have been hesitant to consider relocating Lars Nootbaar to center field, but the current circumstances call for unconventional measures. With both Victor Scott II and Michael Siani struggling at the plate, their subpar batting averages become more concerning given the lack of production from the Cardinals’ top hitters. While the team’s defensive prowess has notably improved this season, it may be necessary to prioritize offensive output even if it means sacrificing some defensive stability.
Concerns about disrupting the team’s defensive cohesion and Nootbaar’s susceptibility to injuries are valid. However, I believe the potential benefits outweigh the risks for several reasons:
1. Transitioning Nootbaar to center field temporarily is not a permanent commitment. The team’s defensive improvements are attributable to various factors beyond just Scott and Siani’s contributions in center field. Additionally, if Nootbaar’s presence in center field were to disrupt the team’s defensive rhythm, they could revert to the previous setup promptly.
2. While Nootbaar has experienced injury setbacks in the past, the pressing need for offensive productivity in the absence of key players like Carlson or Edman underscores the urgency to explore different lineup configurations.
Moreover, deploying Nootbaar in center field opens up opportunities to integrate another impactful hitter into the lineup consistently, a topic I’ll address next.
Play Ivan Herrera every day
Since Nootbaar’s return, there’s been ongoing discussion about how to integrate Ivan Herrera into the Cardinals’ lineup. However, with Nootbaar not playing in center field, it’s challenging to find a way without benching Gorman, Walker, or Donovan. Shifting Nootbaar to center field presents an opportunity for a new lineup configuration, enabling Herrera’s bat to be included.
Herrera or Contreras can take turns serving as the designated hitter while the other catches, with Donovan covering left field and Nootbaar holding down center. There may be occasions when either Scott or Siani steps in for center field duty, or Donovan fills in elsewhere in the infield, necessitating some lineup adjustments. However, given Herrera’s strong performance at the plate (notching a .811 OPS, ranking fourth on the team this year), it’s crucial to have his bat in the lineup daily, at least until other hitters find their form.
The risk of playing both catchers on most days is minimal. In the event of an injury to the catcher, the designated hitter for that day can transition to catcher, prompting a shift to traditional National League baseball for the remainder of the game, with subsequent decisions to be made, such as considering a call-up like Pages for the next game.
It’s important to reiterate that this isn’t a long-term strategy. While it could become the preferred lineup arrangement if it proves to optimize the team’s performance, adjustments can be made as other hitters regain their momentum. Eventually, Herrera’s playing time could be scaled back, Nootbaar might return to left field, and defensive priorities could be reassessed. The objective remains to establish a predictable lineup for the manager, but when the team’s performance falters, innovative solutions become necessary.
Swap Masyn Winn and Paul Goldschmidt’s spots in the order, if Goldschmidt does not improve this weekend
I completely understand why Oli Marmol has kept Paul Goldschmidt in the number two spot in the lineup up to this point in the season. If Goldschmidt were playing for any other team or if the Cardinals had a different manager, I doubt they would have moved him down in the batting order yet. However, considering how much Goldschmidt has struggled at the plate and the pressing need for offense, it’s nearly time to contemplate a change.
It might be prudent to wait and assess how Goldschmidt performs in the upcoming series against the Brewers first. After all, Goldschmidt was the National League Most Valuable Player in 2022, was arguably the Cardinals’ top hitter in 2023, and could even be a future Hall of Famer. You don’t give up on a player of his caliber too quickly. However, if Goldschmidt continues to struggle by April 22nd, the Cardinals should seriously consider giving someone else an opportunity to hit near the top of the order.
At present, Masyn Winn is one of the hottest hitters on the team, making him a prime candidate to swap positions with Goldschmidt in the lineup. Winn boasts a .404 on-base percentage, a .347 batting average, and his speed adds an extra dimension to the offense, particularly when hitting ahead of the team’s power hitters. Additionally, Winn ranks fourth on the team in OPS with runners in scoring position, showcasing his clutch performance thus far.
If Goldschmidt’s struggles persist over the weekend, I suggest moving him down in the lineup and shifting Nootbaar to center field, resulting in lineups that look like the following:
vs. RHP
1. LF Brendan Donovan
2. SS Masyn Winn
3. CF Lars Nootbaar
4. 3B Nolan Arenado
5. C Willson Contreras
6. 2B Nolan Gorman
7. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
8. DH Ivan Herrera
9. RF Jordan Walker
vs. LHP
1. LF Brendan Donovan
2. SS Masyn Winn
3. C Willson Contreras
4. 3B Nolan Arenado
5. 2B Nolan Gorman
6. DH Ivan Herrera
7. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
8. CF Lars Nootbaar
9. RF Jordan Walker
This lineup appears exceptionally strong. Despite Walker’s struggles this season, it’s hard to find another player with a greater potential upside hitting ninth for any team in baseball. While the names and batting order might vary depending on individual performances, collectively, this group of nine hitters would present a formidable challenge for opposing pitchers.
It’s imperative for the Cardinals to ignite their offense quickly, and assembling a lineup like this could be a significant stride toward achieving that goal.
