最新杏吧原创

JUPITER, Fla. 鈥� Four score?

Not often enough. And definitely not like seven years ago.

The Cardinals scored the fourth-fewest runs per game 鈥� 4.1 鈥� in the National League last season.

They scored four or more runs in just 87 of the 162 games ... and missed the playoffs with an 83-79 record.

Traditionally, the Cardinals have emphasized defense up the middle, notably at the positions where famous names and beloved gloves played 鈥� catcher, shortstop and center field.

But the boys need runs.

Lefty-hitting Lars Nootbaar should start in center in an offensive-minded lineup. Obviously, during the course of a season, players are moved around because of lefty-righty matchups or rest days. But overall, the Cards should think offensively. Looking at his advanced metrics, I think Noot is primed for a big batting season 鈥� and having him in center could make room for other lumber in the lineup.

In this scenario, the outfield would be Brendan Donovan in left, Nootbaar in center, Jordan Walker in right. The infield would be Nolan Arenado at third base, Masyn Winn at short, Nolan Gorman at second and Willson Contreras at first. Then, you could have Ivan Herrera or Pedro Pages catcher ... and Alec Burleson or Herrera at designated hitter.

Much is made about Michael Siani. He is reminiscent in center of Harrison Bader with his jumps, athleticism and fearlessness. Per The Fielding Bible, Siani finished eighth among National League center fielders with eight defensive runs saved 鈥� but six of the seven guys in front of Siani played more innings (and thus had more opportunities to up their DRS number). Great glove guy. But I just don鈥檛 see his offense being good enough to earn him most of the center starts (which would likely put Nootbaar in left, Donovan at second and Gorman as designated hitter).

The Cardinals have yet to commit.

Asked Monday about the push-pull with prioritizing offense or defense, manager Oliver Marmol said: 鈥淚f you鈥檙e asking about Nootbaar, Siani, Victor (Scott II), that鈥檚 where a lot of the questions have been geared towards. As we get further into spring, I think there鈥檒l be (more clarity). It鈥檚 hard for me today to say, like, we鈥檙e only going to prioritize defense or offense. I don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 the best way for me to look at it today.鈥�

On Tuesday, Marmol received the same question from the media here.

鈥淎gain, normally, I can just give you a straight answer to that,鈥� the manager said. 鈥淥ne, it鈥檚 early (in camp). But two, that鈥檚 where the bigger conversation of mapping out our future comes into play. It鈥檚 not just what鈥檚 best for us right this very second. So as we get further into camp, we鈥檒l have those discussions with the front office and make sure that everybody鈥檚 on the same page.鈥�

As I mentioned recently, a lot involving the Cardinals is cloudy (incidentally, Tuesday afternoon here in Florida wasn鈥檛 only cloudy but also rainy 鈥� though, for the record, I鈥檓 not complaining, notably with the knowledge of snow in 最新杏吧原创).

The surprise return of Arenado affected the planning for the future during this transition season of 2025.

That鈥檚 the thing: The Cards are hoping to win some ballgames in 2025, but this season is supposed to set up the Cards for a big jump starting in 2026 and beyond. That said, I believe an offense-minded lineup can still get enough at bats for the likes of Nootbaar, Walker, Gorman and Herrera so 最新杏吧原创 can truly see what it鈥檚 got in these guys.

Of course, if Scott II has a 鈥淛eremy Hazelbaker 2016鈥� spring, maybe he cracks the roster as an extra outfielder. But Siani should fit in admirably as the fourth outfielder.

And just like a game-preserving reliever out of the bullpen, Siani can come off the bench in the late innings to improve the Cardinals鈥� some elite defense, depending on where the lineup is.

But his batting numbers just don鈥檛 show he should start a multitude of games. Yes, yes, he had a nice little stretch there before he got hurt. But he鈥檒l need to have an eye-popping spring with his swing to deserve the center field starts.

鈥淵ou want to be able to contribute in every facet, that鈥檚 the goal,鈥� said Siani, 25, who had a .228 batting average and a .570 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 298 at-bats last year. 鈥淏ut you just try to prove to yourself more than anything. You don鈥檛 worry about what anybody else thinks. It鈥檚 about trust in my abilities and knowing what I need to do every day to compete at the highest level. ...

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 similar to last year coming to camp 鈥� it鈥檚 where I want to be, this is the position I want to be in, to compete for a spot to play every day in the big leagues. That鈥檚 the goal. I鈥檓 excited to get to work. ... I just go out there and take care of my business, and whatever is going to happen is going to happen. What I can control is (my play) on the field.鈥�

As for Nootbaar, he鈥檒l likely play every day. It鈥檚 just a matter of where. But with him in center, it allows the Cardinals to insert an additional budding bat into the lineup.

鈥淚鈥檓 always ready for whatever they need me to be,鈥� Nootbaar said. 鈥淎nd if that鈥檚 center field, it鈥檚 center field; if it鈥檚 one of the corners, it鈥檚 one of the corners. But I prepared this offseason to be ready for all three.鈥�