Cardinals Rumors: St. Louis among 9 likely suitors for Trevor Story

The St. Louis Cardinals are likely to be in play for free-agent shortstop Trevor Story.

The St. Louis Cardinals have been heavily connected to soon-to-be free-agent shortstop Trevor Story, and for good reason. The team pursued him at the trade deadline. They have a giant need at shortstop. And not to mention that they have Nolan Arenado, who is close with Story and played with him with the Colorado Rockies.

Indeed, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com listed the Cardinals as one of nine teams “likely” to pursue Story in the offseason, saying that “If Story is willing to take a shorter-term deal to re-establish his value, St. Louis could look to pair him with his former teammate Arenado on the left side of the infield.”

It’s something that the Cardinals should, and likely already have begun, to explore. Adding Story would be a massive upgrade at a shortstop position that proved problematic throughout the 2022 season, especially as Paul DeJong continued to regress. He was bad enough that Edmundo Sosa took over much of the playing time at shortstop, though DeJong’s injuries also contributed to that.

But adding Story would mean the end of DeJong’s time in St. Louis, considering that he has two years and $15 million remaining on his contract (including club options for 2024 and 2025). It’s possible that if a team misses on the elite group of free-agent shortstops that they panic and look to acquire DeJong via trade. But expecting DeJong to fetch much over trade, even after hitting over 20 home runs this season, is far-fetched at best.

It would be worth parting ways with DeJong if it means adding Story, who hit .251/.329/.471 with 24 home runs and 75 RBI in what amounted to a “down” season. If the Cardinals, or any other contending team, were to sign Story, they should expect something much closer to the version who has hit .272/.340/.523 throughout the first six years of his career.

This is likely the first of many rumors that will connect Story to the Cardinals this winter. Buckle up. There is a real chance he signs in St. Louis.