The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in a fascinating rebuild, one that doesn't involve the typical tanking approach. Instead, they are navigating the delicate balance of incorporating young prospects like Joshua Baez into their major league roster. This is a challenge that many MLB teams face, and the Cardinals are no exception. The question is: when and how should they bring up a prospect like Baez?
First, let's differentiate between prospects and depth/role players. Depth players often don't have service time considerations, and they are usually a bit older. Prospects, on the other hand, are seen as having significant future value, and their service time is a crucial factor. The Cardinals are aware of this and are careful not to manipulate service time, but they are also mindful of the potential benefits of waiting to promote a prospect.
One key consideration is the 40-man spot. Teams are more sensitive about pushing aside talent for a depth player, but prospects can easily displace someone at the tail end of the 40-man. Depth players are also more likely to be role players, and the team won't commit to a minimum amount of playing time for them. Prospects, on the other hand, need to be certain that they can allocate significant playing time to them.
Another important factor is exposure. Depth players have an advantage in this regard, as their exposure is tuned to leverage their strengths and avoid their weaknesses. Prospects, on the other hand, are anticipated to emerge as everyday contributors, so they won't get the same protection. This raises the question: are they ready to handle the struggles that may come with it?
Now, let's apply these considerations to Joshua Baez. He is a prospect with the potential to be a 5-tool player, but his success is not guaranteed. The Cardinals want him to succeed, but they also need to consider the impact he will have on the team.
One key question is where he will play. Some suggest letting him play all three outfield positions rotationally, but this could be challenging for him. Practically, the burdens of adjusting defensively to three positions simultaneously are not conducive to facilitating his success. The Cardinals need to consider the impact he will have on the overall line-up construction.
Another key question is how his profile will influence the overall line-up construction. The Cardinals have a strong, tenacious offense, and Baez will likely increase the K-rate and lower the OBP. This could impact the overall output of the group, and the Cardinals may prefer to see the answer come later in the season when the playoff position is more clear.
In conclusion, the Cardinals are facing a challenging task in incorporating Joshua Baez into their major league roster. They need to consider the impact he will have on the team, both offensively and defensively, and how he will fit into the overall line-up construction. It's a delicate balance, and the Cardinals are navigating it with care.
