Ryan O'Hearn
As far as free agent options go, Ryan O'Hearn may be the most intriguing player on this list who could feasibly be signed by the Cardinals. O'Hearn is 31 currently, and he's coming off one of the best years of his career in 2024.
O'Hearn is a career .244/.309/.417 hitter for an OPS+ of exactly 100; he's been a league-average hitter through seven seasons. He debuted with the Kansas City Royals in 2018, but he was later traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2023 for cash considerations. What could complicate O'Hearn's free agency is the club option worth $8 million that is attached to his 2025 contract. Considering the free agent first base market, O'Hearn is the third-best option; that figure is likely below his market value. meaning the Orioles will likely accept the option and trade their other first base option.
After a slow start to his career, O'Hearn has had back-to-back strong seasons in 2023 and 2024 with the Orioles. He finished 2023 with a .801 OPS and a 122 OPS+. His 2024 featured a dip in his OPS to .761, but considering the drop in offensive numbers across all of baseball, he still had a 122 OPS+. He has a very balanced approach at the plate, but he's hit 29 home runs these last two seasons; the left-handed hitter was able to improve both his walk and strikeout rates in 2024. O'Hearn is very split-prone, as he struggles against left-handed pitching.
Defensively, O'Hearn has proven himself a viable candidate at first base and both corner outfield spots. According to outs above average, O'Hearn has been a positive defender at first base for his career and a near-neutral defender in the outfield.
Spotrac estimates his market value at a two-year deal worth around $28 million. If Baltimore declines his team option, he could be a discounted free-agent pickup for the Cardinals. However, it isn't likely the Cardinals spend money at this spot this offseason.