Cardinals: One writer connects St. Louis to Marcell Ozuna

The St. Louis Cardinals are looking for offensive upgrades, and one writer connected them to a familiar face.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ needs this winter are clear. They need clarity on the statuses of Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright, another bat to go alongside Paul Goldschmidt and could use additional pitching help.

Among the bats the Cardinals have been connected to are Francisco Lindor and George Springer. The club has been connected to Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado in years past and he is reportedly available once again, but the two sides have not yet been linked this winter.

MLB.com recently listed fits for free-agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna and the Cardinals were among the teams listed as a possibility.

The Cardinals, of course, acquired Ozuna from the Miami Marlins after the 2017 season in exchange for Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, Daniel Castano and Magneuris Sierra. Ozuna went on to play in St. Louis for two years and slashed .262/.327/.451 with 52 home runs and 177 RBI. He rejected the $17.8 million qualifying offer from the Cardinals, only to later turn down a three-year, $60 million contract from the Cincinnati Reds before settling on a one-year, $18 million deal with the Braves.

It is hard to envision the Cardinals and Ozuna, 30, ironing out a reunion after comments made once he signed with the Braves. Besides, it is still unclear how much money St. Louis has to spend this offseason, and MLB Trade Rumors projects him to sign a four-year, $72 million idea. Considering that most of their available money will likely go to Molina and/or Wainwright, it is hard to imagine they’ll have much left to spend – especially the kind of money to bring in a player like Ozuna.

The most likely fit for the Cardinals, should they turn to free agency to upgrade the outfield, is Joc Pederson. The two sides have already been connected this winter and his price tag should fit what St. Louis can afford.