St. Louis Cardinals: 3 things to watch for in 2022
Here are three things that I’ll be interested in seeing unfold for the St. Louis Cardinals next season.
The St. Louis Cardinals are rocketing their way toward the wild card spot, and it’s an exciting time to be a Cardinals fan. This season has been a roller coaster, with injuries aplenty and some unexpected breakouts and disappointments along the way.
Last year, I wanted to see if Adam Wainwright could maintain his resurgence over a full season, and he has answered that with a resounding “yes.” Tyler O’Neill has improved by miles (or, if you prefer for the Canadian outfielder, kilometers). His eye at the plate, once a liability, has markedly improved, and his outfield instincts also appear to be better honed.
Edmundo Sosa has taken a huge step forward as well and has proven himself to be more than a Quadruple-A player. His speed adds to an already fleet-of-foot roster also composed of O’Neill and Harrison Bader. His propensity to get hit by pitches also contributes to his ability to get on base and wreak havoc from there.
On the downside, Paul DeJong hasn’t been able to get going this season, and he’s lost most of his playing time to Sosa. Matt Carpenter continues to struggle as well, and he is almost certainly in his last few games with the Cardinals.
Yadier Molina started hot and looked on pace for a dynamite penultimate season, but he has fallen off and will likely end his season with numbers close to his previous few years. It’s not a failure by any means; it’s just a bit disappointing that he couldn’t maintain his sizzling stats.
The 2021 season has been a whirlwind, providing euphoric highs (the team’s current run to the Wild Card) and dismaying lows (the horrific month of June), but the playoffs are all about who’s hot at the right time, and it appears the Cardinals might be in that window. The Dodgers will be a formidable foe, but it’s hard to beat a team on a hot streak.
But there’s reason to be hyped about next season as well, regardless of how this year concludes. 2022 will be both a time to reflect and a time to look to the future. These three things in particular are what I’ll be most excited to watch.
The shortstop quandary
Sosa has supplanted DeJong as the Cardinals’ primary starting shortstop during the stretch run this season. I was wrong in my thought that Sosa was just another flash in the pan; he has shown he has the ability to start at shortstop and perform well at the position. DeJong might be forced to settle for a bench role, or he might be shipped out of town.
Another consideration will be the historically loaded shortstop free agent market this offseason. Trevor Story, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa and Javier Baez could all find new teams next season, and if the Cardinals aren’t committed to letting either Sosa or DeJong handle a starting role, they could look at one of the shortstops on the market. DeJong could be a trade candidate, but with how much his value has declined this year, it’s questionable what kind of talent the Cardinals could receive in return.
Most likely, DeJong and Sosa will both remain with the team and split time. Whether the bulk of playing time leans toward Sosa or DeJong will be something to watch, as will their performances in Spring Training.
The debuts of some highly touted prospects
The Cardinals didn’t have many top prospects debut this season; the most notable was probably Lars Nootbaar. That could change next season, as Ivan Herrera, Matthew Liberatore and Nolan Gorman all appear ready to contribute at some point in 2022.
Herrera will ideally back up Molina, who will be in his final season. Where that puts Andrew Knizner, I’m not sure. The Cardinals might be best served to release Knizner or find a trade partner, because he’s doesn’t seem to have the tools to perform as a starting catcher. Herrera, though, could have the ability to serve as Molina’s heir, but he desperately needs a year under Molina’s tutelage to help him be effective in the future.
Liberatore could fill the rotation nicely. Jon Lester, Wade LeBlanc and J.A. Happ are almost certainly gone after this season, so there should be a spot for him to start right away if the Cardinals choose to go that route. A rotation with Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, Dakota Hudson, Miles Mikolas and Liberatore could be solid, and like Herrera under Molina, Liberatore has a chance to learn from a Cardinals great in Wainwright.
Gorman has spent a lot of time on the farm learning to play second base, where the Cardinals would be able to fit him in better. Nolan Arenado is entrenched at third base, and while it appears that Tommy Edman isn’t going to concede his second base position, he has shown the ability to play elsewhere on the diamond. If Gorman emerges as an everyday second baseman, he could provide some uncommon power from that position, although the team’s defense up the middle will likely suffer.
The swan songs of Molina and Wainwright
Molina has already signed a one-year contract that will keep him in St. Louis, and while Wainwright has not signed yet, it seems likely that he will remain a Cardinal for his final season. The biggest reason that I don’t want a season stoppage next year is that I want to see Molina and Wainwright receive their deserved farewells.
If Molina and Wainwright stay healthy and the season goes off without a hitch, they will likely break the all-time record for games between a pitcher and a catcher, currently held by Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan at 324 games.
I don’t think Wainwright and Molina will receive quite the leaguewide farewell party that Derek Jeter and David Ortiz did, but the fact that the two have stayed together their entire illustrious careers is remarkable and should be recognized. The season should be devoted to celebrating their contributions, and Cardinals fans won’t be the only ones celebrating: Fans of other National League Central teams will be overjoyed at no longer having to face them.
2022 is going to be an interesting year, and I can’t wait for it. Whether I’m watching the shortstop battle or the beginnings and ends of great Cardinals careers, it’s going to be another fun ride.