St. Louis Cardinals: What To Expect From Tommy Edman in 2021

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Tommy Edman is a scrappy switch hitter the team looks to get in the lineup any way it can. What should fans expect from Edman in 2021?

Since the St. Louis Cardinals announced they would not pick up the option on two-time Gold Glove second baseman, Kolten Wong, this offseason, Tommy Edman’s role in 2021 has seemed set in stone. John Mozeliak, Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, has seemed content with moving him to second base.

The Cardinals obviously want to get Edman’s bat in the lineup. Even with his subpar-2020 season, the switch hitter is still a career 4.1 WAR player with a batting average of .283, a .337 on-base percentage, and a slugging average of .449 in just 147 games.

Dan Szymborski and FanGraphs are predicting more of the same from Edman in 2021 with a 2.4 WAR and a slash line of .269/.318/.415.

According to Baseball Savant, Edman is good no matter where you put him in the field. Edman has played a variety of positions since being called up to the majors in 2019. But, he’s been a lifesaver at third base as we’ve seen Matt Carpenter decline. He’s had time at second base and shortstop as well as all the outfield spots. He’ll do whatever is asked of him and you have got to appreciate it!

You won’t cringe if Edman’s set at the team’s second baseman. Granted, you might cringe if Matt Carpenter is left at third base since he will be the team’s best available option in the hot corner if Edman remains at second.

A lot of the hot stove season remains for the St. Louis Cardinals and Major League Baseball. There are people left to be signed and possible trades to be made.

Ignore the head-scratcher typos here, but I had a sense of relief when I saw this tweet from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman:

Keeping Wong as a Cardinal feels more important to me than keeping Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. And, I would be happy if all of them reasonably remained Cardinals.

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Wong, as your two-time Gold Glove second baseman with the Birds on the Bat, means you don’t have to worry about Edman filling in the role while Carpenter struggles at the position and at the plate.

Edman would be able to stay where he has been most beneficial the past two seasons – in the lineup and at third base.

I hope to see the Cardinals come to an agreeable deal for Wong. It would absolutely help the team to get back their Gold Glove leadoff hitter. The team can put Edman where he is needed at third base. And Paul DeJong would have the man he’s worked hard with the past couple of seasons to improve defense up the middle.

Edman’s role with the team will undoubtedly hinge on what happens with Wong. Let’s hope the Cardinals’ front office recognizes this and makes the right moves.