As Spring Training continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Walker, Cardinals await imaging results:
Cardinals youngster Jordan Walker underwent imaging on his left knee yesterday after he felt some pain during a play in the outfield yesterday, as noted by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Goold adds that more information on Walker’s situation is expected as soon as this morning. The 22-year-old was once one of the top 10 prospects in the entire sport but has struggled somewhat to this point in his big league career with a league-average .255/.317/.423 slash line in 168 big league games over the past two seasons.
Despite that middling performance so far, Walker still figures to be a key part of the future in St. Louis and is ticketed for everyday reps in right field this year. The Cardinals have options if Walker needs to miss any time. Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan can handle the outfield corners, thereby making room for both Nolan Gorman at second base with either Michael Siani or Victor Scott II in center field.
2. Garcia, Rangers await imaging results:
The Cardinals aren’t the only club awaiting imaging results on regular right fielder. The Rangers sent Adolis Garcia for an MRI due to discomfort in his left oblique yesterday. The club is already expecting Garcia to miss at least a few games due to the issue, though a specific timetable for his return likely won’t be clear until the club receives results from Garcia’s MRI.
The Rangers’ situation is further complicated the fact that fellow outfielder Wyatt Langford is also dealing with an oblique injury that has kept him out of spring games so far. If either player misses time during the regular season, Leody Taveras would likely move from a bench role back into regular center field work. Young Evan Carter can handle a corner spot, and if both Garcia and Langford were to miss Opening Day, a utility bat like Josh Smith could move to left field or the Rangers could select a non-roster veteran like Kevin Pillar.
3. Could the Royals upgrade their outfield?
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Mets and Royals discussed the possibility of a Starling Marte trade earlier this winter. Perhaps more notably, that report indicated that Kansas City has not entirely closed the door on making a deal for Marte. With a matter of weeks left until Opening Day, even the remote possibility of a notable trade is cause for some intrigue. It also stands to reason that if the Royals haven’t ruled out Marte entirely, they could yet look to the remnants of the free agent market as well. The Royals reportedly made an offer to veteran outfielder Adam Duvall, though it was declined. Other notable free agent outfielders still on the market include Alex Verdugo and David Peralta.
Walker is such an interesting guy. Watching him now and again as a fan of a rival team, so it’s not exactly a comprehensive view, his defense sometimes looks amateurish. His bat sometimes looks scary. A shame for him if what looks like a pivotal season is starting with an injury.
Still 22 so time will tell, but he could have either a really good career or a really bad one. I dont see him as ever being just average.
As to his defense, he was a 3b that was thrown out in right because of Arenado and they thought too highly of his bat to start him in AAA. Looks like a mistake in hindsight. He’s become serviceable but a gold glove isn’t happening anytime soon.
RotiniRick: I wonder if Walker played his preferred position at 3B if he would feel more comfortable and hit better. He wouldn’t have to have his head clouded by learning RF. Just a thought.
A good thought at that, Avenger. Who knows? Hope the guy figures it out. Seems like a good person to root for.
Avenger65, I see that Walker has some experience at third base but frankly I have never seen him play there. I would love to see it at some point. He is a big guy, 6’6″ 250lbs, does not have the prototypical physic for that position. Would appear to be suited for first base. I really like the kid but the Cardinals seem destined to mess with his future.
The problem is that even if the Cardinals do manage to trade Arenado, they want to give Gorman the next shot at 3B, which is also his natural position.
Walker is really, really, really, really bad at 3B. His footwork is awful so 1B probably isn’t a good fit either since it’s 80% footwork. He has the speed and arm to play RF. He just needs reps. He can look brilliant out there at times when he relaxes.
His bat was always going to need work. You can’t hit 50+% ground balls at the big league level and make it work out.
Cardinals should have sold him at peak value, but rushed him instead and that put WAY to much pressure on him. He might eventually need a change of scenery. His ceiling is sky high
When he was at peak value, they had no reason to trade him. Even now, it’s way too early to give up on him.
Jordan Walker is a very likeable baseball player. They rushed him along because in 2020 there wasn’t a baseball season for minor leagues. They promoted him to try and protect his development rather than hinder it. He had a knack for hitting line drives similar to Holiday or Pujols before last year which was a step back.
I don’t think either Marte or Duvall are enough of an upgrade for KC to consider, particularly if it costs more than a couple million bucks. I could be persuaded to take a shot on Verdugo, though.
Royals didn’t have a single OFer with an above average bat last year. Verdugo would be more of the same. At least Marte, Duvall and Peralta can hit. Which is what the Royals need. Give one of them the extra million or two imo
You place Duval above Verdugo. I think you need to look at their ages and last years stats. Verdugo was WAR wise almost twice the player Duval was. and he was better than all Royals OFers. I know that’s not saying much, but still.
I read where if KC offered 3 mil, Duvall would sign. He’s of the same mind as Bregman, their psyche just won’t allow them to take a pay cut. Even though Duvall is far more worthless than he used to be. As for Marte, he can still hit if he can ever stay healthy long enough to get a rhythm going. That’s rare for him nowadays though.
The Rangers are such a tough team to read; they don’t seem deep, kinda top loaded talent wise, and rashes of injuries. In a division that seems like a 3 horse race, I hope they don’t suffer to many lengthy injuries this early.
O’s: It seems like everything went right for the Rangers in 2023, like a perfect storm, and a lot of things went wrong last year. If they can stay relatively healthy I think they’ll give Houston and Seattle a fight.
Tough day to be a right fielder. Somewhere out there, a right fielder is walking extra carefully, avoiding ladders, and refusing to open any umbrellas indoors.
And probably yelling at his wife for splitting a pole. I actually never knew about that one till one day my gf walked back around a pole because I didn’t walk around it the same way. I called her a fruit loop and kept moving.
@Nick Deeds
30 Teams. 15 Days. Texas Rangers yesterday.
During the interview with Wyatt Langford on the episode he stated he expects to play in Fridays game.
Seems like a lot of oblique injuries this spring training… I wonder if there’s anything in that, or just another clustering of injuries that led to narratives being pedalled a lá TJ boom last year.
After Duvall and Rizzo quotes on not working for less than their demands, despite poor recent histories, I wonder if the players union is suggesting players take hard stances on $$$ in lieu of upcoming labor strife
I’m sure the union communicates stuff like that to the players, but I think with those two in particular, they probably don’t care if they play another year. Versus guys like Quintana and another SP who’s name escapes me while typing this, took at least 10 million less than everyone else because they want to play still and those were their only offers.
Heaney was the other one
I am surprised that Turnbull is still available.