Big Game Hunting: Four superstars the St. Louis Cardinals should swing for

One of the best parts about being a St. Louis Cardinals fan is that when your team is competitive, no trade is ever off the table. Who are some players that would make sense in St. Louis, even if they will probably never get here?

While fans often criticize the front office for failing to make a splash, the St. Louis Cardinals have made their fair share of big trades. Starting in the early 2000s, the Cardinals have made moves for Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, Matt Holliday, Jayson Heyward, Marcell Ozuna, and Paul Goldschmidt. Each of these players has had an impact and shown that the Cardinals aren’t afraid of paying a price for talent.

Recently, the Cardinals have been connected with trading for another superstar in Colorado Rockies’ third baseman Nolan Arenado. The Arenado rumors make sense for three reasons: the Cardinals need a big bat, the Rockies need young pitching, and Arenado’s personality seems to fit the St. Louis atmosphere. Add in the expensive contract and the lack of recent success in Colorado, and you have a solid base for expecting the big trade that we’ve all been waiting for.

There are other superstars out there, however, that also fit these requirements. Some of them aren’t on the market, and many would come at an even steeper price than Arenado. But why limit ourselves to the pursuit of just one transcendent talent? Here are four superstars that the St. Louis Cardinals will probably never acquire, even though it would be wonderful if they swung big for them.