What Is On The St. Louis Cardinals Need List?

The season is complete, the World Series over and now we’re in the depths of hot stove season. The St. Louis Cardinals needs shifted a bit with the shocking death of Oscar Taveras this week. But not drastically. The needs the Cardinals have are specific and seem manageable.

So. What are those needs?

More from St Louis Cardinals Rumors

• What’s next for the St. Louis Cardinals after Contreras signing?
• Report: Cardinals Emerge As Mystery Team for Carlos Rodon
• Cardinals: Trade targets after signing Willson Contreras
• Cardinals Rumors: Is Willson Contreras Defense a Concern?
• St. Louis Cardinals: Alejandro Kirk or Danny Jansen?

* Bullpen Help. Jason Motte and Pat Neshek are free agents. It appears both pitched themselves out of a job at the end of their seasons. I think Randy Choate, despite being owed $3 million next season, is out. Remember NLCS Game 4? Not good. I think he, too, pitched himself out of a job but I’m not sure they could get value for him. They may be stuck with him. The team seems to need lefty relief. It would be nice to see them give Sam Freeman an actual chance. The organization has never been one to throw a lot of money at relief pitchers. It will be interesting to see how they address this need.

* A Re-tooled Bench. Mark Ellis is out as a free agent. A.J. Pierzynski is out as well. It’s uncertain if utility infielder Daniel Descalso or speedy center fielder Peter Bourjos will be tendered a contract. Pete Kozma, Tony Cruz and Xavier Scruggs are nice options off the bench but they need more. Now.

* A right field/first base veteran combo. Randal Grichuk will come to spring training as a favorite for right field  as he was given a lump of the starts near the end of the season and throughout the postseason. He was expected to have a hell of a fight to keep the position from Oscar Taveras. Instead, Stephen Piscotty will come into spring looking to compete.

Matt Adams is an amazingly powerful first baseman. But, we saw this season that he’s vulnerable to injury.

With a team that’s going through a tremendous loss, they may need an extra veteran presence. It would be good to see a veteran presence with experience at first base and outfield. Luckily, there are a few options for just that need this offseason.

Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com suggested Corey Hart, Michael Cuddyer and Michael Morse. All three options have had their share of injuries. Langosch suggested Hart would cost the least as he is “coming off an injury-plagued season and could be looking to sign a low-salary, one-year deal to build his value back up.” As for Cuddyer, “the Cards would have to commit significant dollars and a starting job in right.” Doesn’t seem very likely. Morse would be a nice, scrappy option but, again, injury susceptible.

If they don’t go the way of free agents, the team could make a splash in the way of a trade.

The Cardinals do have a tremendous amount of young pitching and some prospects. The deal would have to be pretty much perfect though. It will be interesting to see what comes available, to receive or give, if the right deal comes along.

What moves do you hope to see the Cardinals make this offseason?