Cardinals News: Walker demoted, Crawford released, Brewers look ahead

The Cardinals are facing roster changes, including the demotion of Jordan Walker to Triple-A and the release of veteran Brandon Crawford. Walker's brief stint with the major league team was limited, with just 12 batting appearances, suggesting a disconnect between the management and manager Oliver Marmol on player management. Meanwhile, Crawford's tenure has little impact other than the presence of experienced players and fails to improve the performance of stars like Goldschmidt and Arenado. With tough games against the Brewers ahead, the Cardinals must act decisively and be clear on their strategy.

In numbers

• Walker only made 12 batting appearances during his recent promotion.
• In 2023, Walker achieved a wRC+ of 115 in 465 at-bats.

Yes but

While a promotion and subsequent demotion of Walker suggests a lack of coherent planning, it may also simply reflect the complexities involved in developing a young player amid a struggling roster.

Current status

• The Cardinals are in a difficult situation and are struggling to find a way forward this season.
• The upcoming performance in the Brewers series will likely influence the front office's strategies for the rest of the year.

What's next

If the Cardinals continue to struggle against the Brewers, expect discussions about re-promoting Walker and potentially changing player roles to maximize performance through the end of the season.

Conclusion

For the Cardinals to get back on track, they need to clarify their roster strategy and ensure that young talent like Walker is used regularly, while also critically evaluating the contributions of experienced players.