St. Louis Cardinals FUTURE Hinges on YOUNG Stars Stepping Up – Will They Deliver?
St. Louis Cardinals face a pivotal season as young stars Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II look to ignite a new era. Can Winn’s elite defense and maturing plate approach, paired with Scott’s electrifying speed, restore excitement to the Cardinals’ lineup and push past recent struggles? Key positions and player health—especially Ivan Herrera’s bat and versatility—could make or break the 2026 campaign.
JD Hafron spotlights roster shakeups, front office moves, and the growing urgency for former prospects like Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker to step up. The episode examines the impact of trades involving Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado, the potential of dynamic lineups featuring JJ Wetherholt, and offers updates on ex-Cardinals like Paul DeJong’s move to the Yankees. Will this mix of emerging talent and strategic changes launch the Cardinals back into playoff contention?
0:00 — Cardinals 2026, Masyn Winn
12:11 — Victor Scott II, Ivan Herrera
25:04 — Lineup construction, trade talk
25:53 — League news and notes
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10 comments
Mo needs to go… just saying.
What lineup spot makes the most sense for Masyn Winn in 2026?
Would love to see Winn and VSII steal a lot more. They only need to walk and hit singles, which they turn into doubles or more. Where they land in the lineup should, therefore, be determined by OBP.. Would be great if they were 1 and 2, but don't think their OBP is high enough. So see them as 7-9 hitters until the OBP improves.
With Donny (probably) and Contreras gone, Herrera and Burley are the only consistent bats on the whole team. That cannot be the mid or long term solution.
Just want the kid to have a great glove. Like Whitey told Ozzie. Hoover up everything that comes your way and everything else will follow in time.
Cardinals should get Noel big Christmas 24 and right hand power and years of control won't cost much was DFA by guardians…… and yes he's a right hand Gorman I know
I calculated the average batting average of the players projected to play next year and did the same with ERA. I added few other numbers and gave it to AI and it projected 78 wins. I finally caught AI lying red handed.
Agree about Herrera. Winn has me questioning your evauluation. He is at his Peak. I would trade him for Cruz, Cin, and play Weatherholt at short and lead him off. Herrera, 1st, Burleson, rightfield and my final two would be outfielders, Church, and Scott. The rest I would draw out of a LOCkON hat.
Not sure if Oli needs to hear this, but Scott II shouldn't hit behind Pozo…interpret that how you will
Paul De Jong makes me smile.The was one of the contracts that the Cards overpaid and thought their problems were solved. But he has survived three years playing somewhere usually at third or shortstop. Third base for the Yankees is a possibility and will be cheaper than Arenado. His .230 average is higher than two of the STL outfielders.