Could these be their last games as a St. Louis Cardinals player?

With only a few games remaining in the 2020 season, the St. Louis Cardinals are knocking on the door of the playoffs. While it is likely they will make it, the end of the season could inevitably mark the end of the tenure for several players as a Cardinal.

Roster turnover is expected. After each season, teams look at how to improve and what moves they can make. Fans speculate and imagine blockbuster trades and big free agent signings. For this post, I’m going to look at the upcoming St. Louis Cardinals’ offseason from a different angle.

Instead of looking at who the Cardinals could or should add, let’s take a look at some players who might be playing their last games with the team.

This exercise is one to point out some players who I think could be on their way out of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Whether it be due to expiring contracts or possible trades, there are some players I think could be heading out and a few who are unlikely to leave but certainly still a possibility to do so.

I think it is good to appreciate the players and what they have accomplished for the team. Look at some recent players the Cardinals have traded away or let walk in free agency that fans now (secretly or otherwise) wish were still on the team. No need to go through the list, and it might vary from fan to fan. But the reality is that some players might not fully be appreciated until they’re having success with another team.

The St. Louis Cardinals, right now, are about to clinch a playoff berth. The focus is to root them on and hope for a long playoff run. In the back of minds, though, it is very likely the last few weeks for several players as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. There are probably a dozen players or so that an argument can be made for it being their last season on the team, but I’m condensing the list a bit.

Here’s a look at a few.

Carlos Martinez

It has been a career filled with ups and downs for Carlos Martinez. The St. Louis Cardinals have made Martinez a staple in their plans for the last several seasons, and he has overall rewarded them. In 2020 however, it has been a struggle. To be fair to Martinez, he did have a case of COVID-19 and it seemed to be pretty serious. He needs respect for being able to go pitch this year and that could explain some of his struggles.

He has had some injuries and has been a bit inconsistent throughout his career, even though his career numbers are pretty eye-popping. His career record stands at 58-43 with a 3.51 ERA and he’s accounted for 14.8 WAR. He also has 31 career saves and had success as the Cardinals closer for much of last season.

Still, the sense is that the Cardinals would probably like to move on. He’s under contract for 2021 and has a few option years beyond that. I do not think the Cardinals will release him and eat that salary but I do think they will explore trades for him.

The big question is how much trade value he has. After his inconsistencies and injury history, will teams be eager to take on his salary for 2021? I see a few options if this is the case. The Cardinals could maybe eat some of his money and ask for a better return, or they could package him with a prospect to maximize the trade return and also potentially get someone else to take on his contract.

Martinez has been a great Cardinals pitcher and he’s still talented. His raw talent can probably elevate him to the top15-20 starting pitchers in the sport. Add in his ability to be an impact bullpen arm, and the upside is there for him to be a successful pitcher again in 2021.

But … probably with another team.

Lane Thomas

Lane Thomas has not had many opportunities this season, with a crowded outfield mix. Adding to that was him being infected with COVID-19 and missing some time. Like with Martinez, it is unfair to place too much criticism on a player who had to deal with the coronavirus this season. Still a potentially strong outfielder, it seems more and more his ceiling might be that of a fourth outfielder. With an already underperforming outfield and the Cardinals needing to find ways to improve the offense this coming offseason, it seems like a few outfielders might possibly be shipped out in trades.

Thomas probably has limited trade value but out of the current crop of outfielders, he is one that looks to have a smaller role going forward and perhaps the most likely one to be expendable.

The outfield is hard to guess going forward, and there are several different ways the team could go with it. Thomas might stick around and compete for a bench spot in 2021, but I think at least one outfielder might get dealt before the 2021 season and Thomas is as good a guess as any.

Daniel Ponce de Leon

“Ponce” has been the definition of swingman since his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals. Daniel Ponce de Leon has been used as a starter and as a long reliever, and he’s done so well. His career record of 2-7 is deceiving and shows that win/loss records aren’t always a good way to judge a pitcher.

Regardless, he’s a pitcher who probably has some value and has an undefined role with the Cardinals moving forward. He’s frequently used to fill in when there is an injury in the starting rotation but might not be the top choice to be in the rotation on a regular basis. For some other teams, he could easily crack the middle of the rotation and serve as a more regular contributor.

Austin Gomber is another who fits into this mold. I could see either of these players getting traded, but both have value to the Cardinals.

Brad Miller

How good has Brad Miller been for the St. Louis Cardinals? Signed in spring training, he was likely meant to serve as a utility guy for the team. As the season got going, however, he found his way in the lineup every day and usually in the cleanup spot. He is a free agent after this season and his production has slowed in recent weeks. I would advocate bringing him back as a cheap bench option but it is more than likely that he will depart as a free agent. Still, his role with the 2020 team has been hugely important and the team probably isn’t clinching a playoff spot without him.

Matt Wieters

Matt Wieters has been the St. Louis Cardinals backup catcher for the past two seasons. He has done a great job in that role, and his contract expires at season’s end.

Do the Cardinals bring him back for a third season in 2021? Doubtful. I’d be content if the Cardinals signed him again to back up Yadier Molina (more on him on a minute) for a third season, but the catching situation is a bit muddied at the moment and the team still has to determine what the plan is for Andrew Knizner.

Adam Wainwright

Adam Wainwright has been pitching like prime Waino. He’s been remarkable for the Cardinals and has been a franchise icon. Along with Molina, he’s been a face of the franchise. It would be difficult to imagine him on another team, but with an expiring contract, it is a possibility. My guess is that Wainwright re-signs for another year, but it might not be crazy to think he could retire as well. I don’t see it being likely that he would depart via free agency to join another team, but the combination of that and retirement being a possibility, it leads me to put him on this list just in case.

Yadier Molina

Imagining the St. Louis Cardinals without Yadier Molina is not easy. He has been the face of the franchise for a while. Adding to his hall of fame resume, he just achieved his 2,000th career hit. It has been a career that should earn him a spot in Cooperstown one day.

But will that career continue with the Cardinals? His contract is up after the season and he has made hints he is eager to keep playing. I personally think the Cardinals re-sign him and he finishes his fantastic career in the birds on the bat. I wonder if the Cardinals will ask him to take a pay cut from the $20 million he’s making this season. If so, would he want to?

I think the possibility of him departing the Cardinals in free agency is real. Not likely, but real. Thus, I am including Molina on the list just so that fans understand that it COULD happen.