Riddle me this, Batman. Now that the St. Louis Cardinals have banked millions of dollars by making significant veteran trades this offseason, what can they do to prove to the fans that they’re dedicated to winning? Would you sign a major free agent or negotiate a major extension with one of your core young players? […]
Riddle me this, Batman. Now that the St. Louis Cardinals have banked millions of dollars by making significant veteran trades this offseason, what can they do to prove to the fans that they’re dedicated to winning? Would you sign a major free agent or negotiate a major extension with one of your core young players?
Let me preface this by saying that I do not think that the St. Louis Cardinals need to do anything else immediately. I am a big fan of what President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom and his team have accomplished so far. He has preached patience and I believe that is necessary. However, by trading Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and now Nolan Arenado, the St. Louis Cardinals will save $53 million dollars in guaranteed payroll. My understanding is the Cardinals now have no guaranteed money extending beyond the 2026 season. What Chaim and his team have accomplished in such a short time is remarkable and I doubt they’re done yet. I do wonder how the more casual fanbase feels about the state of the team now, though.
Let’s fast-forward past a likely Donovan and/or Romero trade and look at what the St. Louis Cardinals might do next to not just improve the team, but also to signal to the fans that the Cardinals really are focused on winning sooner rather than later. I see at least two great options that don’t necessarily need to happen before Spring Training begins or even this year. Signing a major free agent or negotiating an extension would get that done.
Looking at what we believe will be the current and near future St. Louis Cardinals roster, who would you extend if you could? Masyn Winn is an obvious choice that few would argue with. I could also make a case that even JJ Wetherholt could be one of those rare players who gets a longer term MLB deal even before he’s swung a bat in the big show. What the Milwaukee Brewers did with Jackson Chourio is a great example of how the St. Louis Cardinals could invest in their future star early in the game. In regards to Winn, I’ve seen estimates that he might be valued at an 8-year contract for around $100 million dollars. I think that the St. Louis Cardinals locking up either player (or both even better) would be encouraging for fans looking for stars they can count on being around for the next half decade or more.
Let’s look at the most obvious free agent option. As of the date of this writing, free agent Bo Bichette has yet to sign a contract. While I hear talk that the Philadelphia Phillies or any of the other major market teams might have the inside track to inking Bo, it hasn’t happened yet. What if the St. Louis Cardinals decided that Bo would be their new star for the future to build around? No, I don’t believe he’s willing, but let’s pretend he might. He would be the more pricey and extravagant option as I’ve seen estimates that Bo will receive a contract of $186-$208 million over 5-8 years. An infield of Bo Bichette at 2nd with Masyn Winn at shortstop and JJ Wetherholt at third would be an exciting core.
Chaim Bloom has been very clear that he will not do anything that disrupts the rebuilding of the St. Louis Cardinals bank of young prospects, but he’s also said that if the right opportunity presents itself, he would not rule anything out. What would you like to see the most? One of the Cardinals young studs get locked up for a long-term deal or an exciting free agent? While I’m not certain we’re going to see the latter until next off-season at least, I think a deal with a Winn or a Wetherholt would be a solid step that would not wreck the rebuild that’s underway.
Category: General Sports
