5 free agents the St. Louis Cardinals shouldn’t bring back

With several free agents hitting the market this offseason, there are some the St Louis Cardinals should not bring back.

The St. Louis Cardinals used the argument that they could not make certain moves for free agents or trade due to budgetary restrictions. During this offseason, the Cardinals are assured to shred a lot of those restrictions.

The Cardinals no longer owe Dexter Fowler any money after paying $14.7 million this season as part of his trade to the Los Angeles Angels. The team will not exercise options for Matt Carpenter or Carlos Martinez. A payout for each would be much less expensive with $2 million going to Carpenter and $500,000 to Martinez.

The team goes into this offseason with a wish list that includes the possibility of getting a top-tier shortstop, starting pitching, a reliever or two and some bench help.

Fans enjoy keeping guys around that have had success with the team in hopes they will keep it up and be that hero they want them to be for the Cardinals. But this season, the Cardinals have a handful of players they should steer clear of bringing back into the fold.

John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations for the Cardinals, has a to-do list this offseason. The 2022 edition of the St. Louis Cardinals will have a focused goal to improve. Mozeliak will have to make good on this goal as he will finally have the money to make improvements.

Zero excuses.

That said, Mozeliak will have to do his best to not get sentimental and bring back certain players just because they are a fan favorite or he’s just a good guy or he’s been through so much. After a season that ended in heartbreak after so many struggles with injuries, some change is needed. Newer players are needed. Mozeliak will need to move along from certain players he has kept around.

Let’s discuss those players that shouldn’t return to the Cardinals in 2022.