St. Louis Cardinals: Winter Meetings primer and predictions

The St. Louis Cardinals trade for Francisco Lindor

IF THE CARDINALS ARE GOING TO MAKE A SPLASH, and I HAD to pick one name that I would put money on the St. Louis Cardinals acquiring in the next five days, the player I would pick is Francisco Lindor.

Lindor fits everything the Cardinals look for in a player and with the Indians looking to cut salary too, the Cardinals could get a player to match Paul Goldschmidt in star-power for a discount. I would have to think a trade for Lindor would include the much cheaper Paul DeJong and more going back in the other direction.

This may not be realistic, but again, if the Cardinals are going to make some sort of splash at the Winter Meetings, this is the guy I have my odds on.

Lindor is a perennial All-Star and Gold Glover, and with two years left under contract and the Indians being a frequent trade partner, the fit is just too good to ignore. Do the Cardinals need a shortstop? Nope, but they do need offense and Lindor provides a lot of it.

Another name that popped up recently is Starling Marte. The Pirates are reportedly looking for a catching prospect in return, which, of course, the Cardinals could provide in Andrew Knizner. That trade might work asset-wise, but I wouldn’t see the Pirates being too eager to trade Marte to a division rival.