St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals just aren’t risk takers

July 31st is approaching rapidly, and the St. Louis Cardinals are at a crossroads: Be risk takers or stay the course. History tells us this team is far more likely to go one direction over the other.

The St. Louis Cardinals are creeping closer and closer to the trade deadline. This is going to lead to rumors upon rumors, ridiculous and realistic. These rumors will make fans wonder if the Cardinals will make a move this season or if they will stick to the status quo. This leads to the question, is the Cardinals’ front office too scared to take a real risk?

Recently, Bill Dewitt commented about the team’s approach when it came to Cuban star, Luis Robert, on an appearance on the Bernie Show. Dewitt said, “I didn’t want to sacrifice the major league club on the hope that this kid turns out to be a star”. This seems to be the motto of the team and their front office. When it comes to the majority of the moves they make, risk is not a good description.

In recent years the Cardinals have supposedly been second in the running for guys like Jason Heyward, David Price, and Luis Robert. For a team that said before they will do what it takes to win, they sure seem to fall just short of bringing in players like that.

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Going against that trend, which may have been a desperation move, was the signings of Dexter Fowler and Brett Cecil. Both of those players received large contracts in trying to sign them quickly.

Likely, because there was a real need at their positions with few options available.

Risk has been a huge part of baseball lately. Teams are willing to shell out more and more money in trying to improve their team. Whether that be on the top-tier free agents or on players in the international market.

The St. Louis Cardinals have stayed the course when it comes to signing players. Rarely going over the top for players other teams are willing to shell out big bucks for.

The trade deadline is another prime example of the Cardinals not being risk takers. John Mozeliak has done a great job finding players this team can use to fill certain needs. Like the additions of Brandon Moss, Zach Duke, Edwin Jackson and Octavio Dotel. Making smart moves is what gave the front office their reputation. Tactical and well thought out moves are this teams bread and butter.

That brings us to the trade deadline this season. The Cardinals have a glaring need. They have had their names attached to all the top available players mentioned on the market. Will the Cardinals make a move all of baseball can see they need? Or will this team stay the course and only make subtle moves that improve the team just enough?

Next: All-Star Break Summit

Being attached to players like Josh Donaldson, Marcel Ozuna, J.D Martinez, and Giancarlo Stanton is exciting. Our Redbird Rants staff discussed all of them in our first ever Redbird Rants Summit. Unfortunately, for Cardinals fans, the odds of this team adding one of these players seems unlikely. The Cardinals front office would have to change their ways and really make a bold move to take on the risk of moving their home-grown prospects to take on a new commodity.