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St. Louis Cardinals: Diamond in the Rough Free Agent Targets

By Kyle Jasper

Mike Girsch, general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals; Bill DeWitt Jr., managing partner and chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals; John Mozeliak, President of Baseball Operations of the St. Louis Cardinals and Mike Schildt, interim manager of the St. Louis Cardinals addressing a change in the manager during a press conference prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium on July 15, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Mike Girsch, general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals; Bill DeWitt Jr., managing partner and chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals; John Mozeliak, President of Baseball Operations of the St. Louis Cardinals and Mike Schildt, interim manager of the St. Louis Cardinals addressing a change in the manager during a press conference prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium on July 15, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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Jul 7, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon (9) slides safely into third base after hitting a triple against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon (9) slides safely into third base after hitting a triple against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

The first player I would like to discuss is Dee Gordon.  While Gordon struggled in 2020, any team should be looking at him just for the hope to return to peak Marlins form.  In 2017, he stole 60 bases. While also being a speed threat, Gordon has been known to play the outfield as well.  Bringing in Gordon on a cheap deal seems like a no-lose situation as he could provide solid defense at the 2B position while also flashing his speed all over the diamond.  The speed combination of O’Neill/Bader/Gordon could set up the Cardinals to be the fastest team in the league. While not posting a 100 wRC+ since 2015 campaign, this past season was the first time he had ended with a negative WAR. Gordon is going to an asset to any team that gives him the opportunity, so why not St. Louis.

I am not here to argue that Dee Gordon is going to return to a .308 average with 60 stolen bases like his 2017 campaign. I am saying that if given a chance, Gordon could be a cheap option to help steal some bags while also slapping the ball all around the field.  He may not be a perfect replacement for Kolten Wong, but he would bring a fun attitude and speed to this team that lacks marketable players.

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