Question

[vbsideout]

Can Encarnicion be sooo bad defensively that him batting 4th in a Birds uniform would not be a plus. This man can hit and we haven't had a true clean up hitter since Albert. If that doesn't work then get Turner who upgrades their defense and is going to add some pop to the lineup.Still got money left to spend without hamstringing the budget. As I have said many times it's not my money, but I probably spend at least $1000 a year going to games.

 

[3Rfan]

Can Encarnicion be sooo bad defensively that him batting 4th in a Birds uniform would not be a plus. This man can hit and we haven't had a true clean up hitter since Albert. If that doesn't work then get Turner who upgrades their defense and is going to add some pop to the lineup.Still got money left to spend without hamstringing the budget. As I have said many times it's not my money, but I probably spend at least $1000 a year going to games.

Albert hit 3rd. That's not the cleanup spot, the 3 hole is supposed to be your best hitter, with some pop, so you know he bats in the 1st inning with a chance to get you on the board.The cleanup guy in todays game can be one those 'high strikeout' guys that will give you 30-40 HR's and 100 + RBI.

 

[vbsideout]

Albert hit 3rd. That's not the cleanup spot, the 3 hole is supposed to be your best hitter, with some pop, so you know he bats in the 1st inning with a chance to get you on the board.The cleanup guy in todays game can be one those 'high strikeout' guys that will give you 30-40 HR's and 100 + RBI.

Agree with Albert but Encarnicion is a legit 4 hitter,

 

[Neutron Monster]

3R is right...you're better off moving your best hitters up. You'd rather your best hitter bat 4.2 times a game instead of 4.1 times. The ideal MLB lineup is a big OBP guy hitting first then your two best hitters penciled in at #2 and #3 (not 3 and 4 or 4 and 5)

To answer the question, it's difficult to imagine how the Cards aren't better with Encarnacion in 2017, although power wasn't really a problem last year. And, guys like him do not age well - you gotta get the length right. I'd rather give Fowler year 5 than Encarnacion year 4.

The signs that he is aging are there - his K rate was up and his contact rate was down a bit last year. He was very clearly not as good in 2016 as he was in 2013-2015, and he's already 33. You gotta make sure you aren't getting a Pujols. I'm much more negative on him than you all are.

 

[vbsideout]

3R is right...you're better off moving your best hitters up. You'd rather your best hitter bat 4.2 times a game instead of 4.1 times. The ideal MLB lineup is a big OBP guy hitting first then your two best hitters penciled in at #2 and #3 (not 3 and 4 or 4 and 5)

To answer the question, it's difficult to imagine how the Cards aren't better with Encarnacion in 2017, although power wasn't really a problem last year. And, guys like him do not age well - you gotta get the length right. I'd rather give Fowler year 5 than Encarnacion year 4.

The signs that he is aging are there - his K rate was up and his contact rate was down a bit last year. He was very clearly not as good in 2016 as he was in 2013-2015, and he's already 33. You gotta make sure you aren't getting a Pujols. I'm much more negative on him than you all are.

Agree see if he bites on a 2 year with a club option for the 3rd and give him an obscene amount of money to take the lower number of years. The only way this happens is if spring training starts and he is still unsigned which is not going to happen. I just wish we would have a true #4 hitter. I like Piscotti, but he is not a cleanup hitter and as of now it looks like Honny is our #5. (not good) I do like Fowler, Diaz, Carp as our top 3 hitters

 

[Neutron Monster]

If I were running the Cardinals, I would be wondering if Jose Bautista would take a one year deal just as much as I would be wondering about Encarnacion. If the choice is Jose for one year at $18 M vs Encarnacion for 3 years at $60 M, I'd take the former.

I'd also rather have had Turner for his price than either of these two.