While the Cardinals did not reach World Series glory in 2022, a new season has begun. It is now time to discuss what they need to do in order to make it to where their 2023 season ends in a 12th World Series Championship.
Personally, I believe that the Cardinals' biggest need is a catcher. With the retirement of long-time backstop, Yadier Molina, the Cardinals are in the market for a replacement, and I suggest they find a replacement who is more productive at the plate, rather than just behind it. This is why I believe that Willson Contreras may be the best option for the Cardinals.
Contreras is an elite hitter with great power, which is rare as the catching position is producing fewer and fewer offensive catchers with good power numbers. This is something the Cardinals have not really had since 2004, as Molina is not known for having much power. Therefore, this would be an offensive upgrade, and the defensive aspect could be handled by Andrew Kizner if the change is too drastic. With that being said, Contreras would be a good get, as long as the Cardinals do not overpay.
Contreras is not the only catcher that deserves a look from the Cardinals. Oakland's Sean Murphy should also be on the Cardinal's radar. A guy like Murphy would make it to where the Cardinals do not have to take a big dip in defensive efficiency. Murphy also brings an above average bat, and he would give the Cardinals control over his contract until 2026. Therefore, Murphy definitely deserves a look.
While catcher is the Cardinal's biggest hole, it is not the only one. While I am a huge fan of their starting rotation, as I enjoy Miles Mikolas, Adam Wainwright, Jordan Montgomery, Steven Matz, and Jack Flaherty. I also see potential in guys like Zack Thompson, Connor Thomas, Andre Pallante, Matthew Liberatore, and Alex Reyes. However, none of these guys are aces. Montgomery and Mikolas are good as the 2-3, and our 4-5 can be filled by any of the guys I previously mentioned. But none of these arms can fill that number one spot. Where Carlos Rodon can. This is why I believe that Rodon should be high on the Cardinals' list of off-season priorities.
Rodon is coming off back-to-back great years where he posted a sub-3.00 ERA. He is 29 years old, and he has high strikeout potential. His market will be competitive, and I feel as though the Cardinals need to be one of the most competitive teams. This is because a player like Rodon is a needle mover. Therefore, a certified ace could make it to where the Cardinals find themselves as very serious contenders.
If the Cardinals do not want to shell out the big bucks for Rodon, then guys like Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker, Andrew Heaney, or Jose Quintana should be looked at as solid free-agent options. Any one of these arms would strengthen the Cardinals' pitching staff. However, Rodon would definitely be the most beneficial addition.
While getting a catcher to replace Yadier Molina and a pitcher to add legitimacy to the Cardinals' pitching staff are top priorities, they are not the only moves that the Cardinals should consider.
In recent years, the Cardinals have struggled to find a quality shortstop. However, that could all change in 2023. This is thanks to a free agency market that is filled with high-quality shortstops, and the Cardinals' pockets being filled with cash. If the team looks to seriously prove something in 2023, signing Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, or Dansby Swanson would be how they should do it. Even with a guy like Masynn Winn nearing MLB readiness, one of these players would truly shove the needle.
To go along with an infield addition, adding a guy to the outfield could also legitimize the Cardinals' roster ahead of the 2023 season. Coming off a year that saw very little consistency when it came to the outfield, including both the players who were in the outfield and the production coming from the players who were in the outfield, adding a legitimate player could be a necessary to piece to a championship puzzle.
A signing that would absolutely shock the baseball world, including all of the fans and the teams, would be Aaron Judge. Aaron Judge is arguably one of the best players in baseball. He offers elite power, that in 2023 was unmatched. He has a good glove and is coming off of a season that saw him breaking the AL home run record and winning MVP. Therefore, he is definitely a player that any team would want in their outfield. However, he will definitely be looking for one of the largest contracts in baseball history, and this is not something that the Cardinals are known for handing out.
This brings us to our other options, which are still good options, Brandon Nimmo, Andrew Benintendi, and one of the newest members of the free agent market, Cody Bellinger.
Brandon Nimmo is coming off a wonderful season and is going to be much cheaper than Aaron Judge. He would offer the Cardinals a bat that has the ability to consistently get on base, and an above-average glove.
Andrew Benintendi is only 28, and he was able to find great success at the beginning of the 2022 season. If he can go back to this, then he will certainly be a nice addition to the Cardinals outfield.
Finally, we have Cody Bellinger. Bellinger has been struggling tremendously lately, however, he is only 27, and won the National League MVP in 2019. This was a short time ago, and with only being 27, Bellinger could definitely go back to his MVP ways. Also, since he has been struggling during the past couple of seasons, he will not be fetching a large contract in the free-agent market. Therefore, he could offer superstar potential, and be a rather cheap option.
Anyone of the four would be a nice addition to the Cardinals' roster. All offering more than a guy like Corey Dickerson would.
All of the names that I have talked about above are guys that I would love to see in a Cardinals jersey. And this is a very exciting topic for me to discuss, as this is one of the best free agent markets I have seen in my 21 years of life. If the Cardinals can make a big move, like one of the ones I highlighted here, they could truly cement themselves as a contender.
So please, DO SOMETHING.
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