St. Louis Cardinals: NLCS player targets for the Cardinals

In part two of a look at potential players for the St. Louis Cardinals to target who are in the playoffs, we turn our attention to the teams in the NLCS.

Okay, we can all agree that the St. Louis Cardinals need to improve this offseason but few names on the previous slides fit that bill. We know that the Cardinals don’t really need help in the starting pitching corp, could use an impact bat, and definitely need help in the bullpen.

To recap the previous slides, should the St. Louis Cardinals dive into the starting pitcher realm, I would be pleased if they went in on Gio Gonzales or Ryu with the Dodgers since both are left-handed and since the Cards are lacking a left-handed starter.

Should the Cardinals dive into impact bats, there just aren’t any in the two NLCS foes. That said, and while he isn’t an impact bat necessarily, a reunion with David Freese is 100 percent in order. I will honestly be disappointed if this offseason passes and Freese isn’t joining the rank and file of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Without question the Cardinals will work to improve the bullpen this offseason. Ryan Madson should fall near the bullseye on the radar of the Cards’ front office. His lacking performance with LA should help the cost and the club would be remiss if it fails to bid. It might lose, but at least it will show others that they are serious to improve.

Lastly, the time has come for the Cardinals to make a push for Schoop. Wong should be back to his old self in 2019 but just in case he isn’t, then the time is now to grab another young bat for the middle infield.

And… okay… the time has come to put money and eggs in the basket of Manny Machado (or Josh Donaldson or Bryce Harper). That’s the impact bat this club needs.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check back in with us next week for part three wherein I’ll take a look at the free agents and final-year players in the ALCS.