St. Louis Cardinals: Pros and cons of 5 free-agent shortstops

The St. Louis Cardinals look to add a top-tier shortstop into the fold next season. With several options available, what are the pros and cons of each candidate?

The St. Louis Cardinals will be one of many vying for the services of a new shortstop this offseason.

After a year of struggles with health and regaining his form in the field and at the plate, Paul DeJong will potentially become a trade chip for the Cardinals this offseason as the team desires a new, top-tier shortstop to bolster their already stellar infield defense. Making sure that new shortstop can be a key piece to an already good lineup will just be icing on the cake for president of baseball operations John Mozeliak.

At the moment, Mozeliak’s number one priority is something many didn’t foresee. The team must name a new manager to replace the ousted Mike Shildt.

While Mozeliak said he didn’t expect it would take long to name a new manager, he will not be able to do much else until that decision is made. Not to mention the league will have to contend with the current collective bargaining agreement expiring on December 1.

This offseason was anticipated as a huge one for Mozeliak. He must get everything right. Including who he gets for shortstop as he’s been quite vocal about wanting that top-tier addition to his team.

It will be hard to see DeJong potentially be traded away but if Mozeliak is able to score one of the better players available at the shortstop position, and they play as they are capable, it will be a little easier. It will be curious to see what Edmundo Sosa’s role will be with the team as he is still under team control. He was big for the team in 2021 during DeJong’s time of struggle. This should not be forgotten.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of who may be options for the Cardinals at shortstop.

Javier Baez

A key piece for the Chicago Cubs for many seasons, Javier Baez was traded to the New York Mets in July as the Cubs were shedding payroll. Baez is considered a magician, “El Mago”, at shortstop and has a good bat. He’s a little exuberant but this is apparently part of his charm.

Pros

• He and Yadier Molina are friends. The pair were on the Puerto Rico team together in the World Classic. There is a lot to be said for being close to the team’s star catcher. It pretty much guarantees the rest of the team will give him a chance and forget all the shenanigans from when he played for opposing clubs.
• He played in 138 games in 2021  hitting .265/.319/.494 with a 116 wRC+. He hit 18 doubles, two triples, 31 home runs, and 87 RBI. He had 18 stolen bases and walked 28 times.

Cons

• Baez has a declining fielding percentage. In 2016, his fielding percentage was .981 while his percentage in 2021 was .954. He had 20 errors at shortstop with four while playing second base. Not what you’re ideally looking for when you’re expecting an upgrade at shortstop.
• He was a Chicago Cub and a New York Met. Need I say more?

Corey Seager

With the trade deadline acquisition of Trea Turner, the Los Angeles Dodgers will certainly be moving on from long-time shortstop Corey Seager, who was drafted by the club in 2021. He’s had his share of injury issues over the years, but any club that gets Seager will have a stellar bat and glove addition.

Pros

• in 95 regular-season games in 2021,  he’s hit .306/.394/.521 with a .915 OPS and 147 wRC+. He had 22 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, and 57 RBI. He contributed to 20 double plays this season with a fielding percentage of .975.

Cons

• Seager is a really good player but has not played a full season in a couple of years. Is a full, healthy season something you could expect from Seager? Would he be worth a large contract he’s anticipated to garner, if he couldn’t prove he can be a team’s full team shortstop? He’s a huge gamble.

Carlos Correa

While on his way to another world series appearance with the Houston Astros, Carlos Correa hopes to land a lucrative contract this offseason as one of the top shortstops available.

Pros

• In 2021, he hit .279/.366/.485 with a 134 wRC+.  He had 34 doubles, one triple, 75 walks, 26 home runs, and 104 runs scored. He assisted with 61 double plays with only 11 errors in the field. Correa’s fielding percentage is .981.  With great defense, Correa is a bat you want in your lineup.

Cons

• It’s easy to see Correa wouldn’t be the greatest of fits with the Cardinals. The fanbase doesn’t take kindly to players accused of playing large parts in a cheating scandal in which the players were never punished and said player insists fans should just move on. It would be easy to see this comment coming back to haunt Correa during his hunt for a new contract with any team.

Trevor Story

Seen has the big prize in the shortstop free-agent market, it’s believed the Cardinals will make a huge run to get Trevor Story. It will reunite Story with best friend and Cardinals All-star third baseman, Nolan Arenado. This could be an assurance that Arenado will not use his opt-out after the 2022 season, as well. A win-win situation!

Pros

• In 2021, Story hit .251/.329/.471 with a 100+ wRC. He hit 34 doubles, five triples, 20 stolen bases, 24 home runs, and 75 RBI. Without question, this would provide a significant upgrade to the lineup.
• An All-Star shortstop with a gold glove caliber skill set at defense, he has a .975 fielding percentage. He did have a career-high in the number of errors committed at 14, but he did help the Colorado Rockies with 85 double plays. Imagine him with the already top-tier defense the Cardinals get from Arenado, Tommy Edman,  Edmundo Sosa, and Paul Goldschmidt.

Cons

• Cost. Even with money available this offseason, it is still concerning what Story’s ultimate payday will be this offseason. Would they be able to afford him, a starting and relief pitcher, and bench help? Robert Murray discusses Story’s contract possibilities here.