6 free agents the St. Louis Cardinals should consider

The St. Louis Cardinals have a substantial wish list this offseason with lofty goals for a 2022 season to remember.

The St. Louis Cardinals have a number of needs on their wishlist this offseason.

The Cardinals have expressed intent to get a top-tier shortstop. This year’s stock of free agent shortstops has some huge names available. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of some of those available names.

Depending on several factors including minor leaguers, the team could need more than one starting pitcher. Here’s a look at some options for starting pitching.   Currently, the team has Adam Wainwright, Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty and Dakota Hudson locked into the rotation. There has been a discussion of moving Jordan Hicks and Alex Reyes into starter roles. If that concerns you, you are not alone. If the 2021 season taught Cardinal fans anything, dependable pitching depth is essential to success.

The Cardinals were able to re-sign reliever T.J. McFarland for the bullpen. This move is good because he did have success in 2021 with the Cardinals after his mid-season acquisition. McFarland was 4-1 on the season pitching 38.2 innings in 38 games. He had a walk rate of 6.3% and he induced 72 ground balls.

While it’s good to have McFarland return, more options will be needed as there was much uncertainty with the bullpen at the end of 2021. Giovanny Gallegos was excellent down the stretch, but the club needs a veteran, shut-down arm.

The club will also look into bench options for 2022 as many of 2021’s options fell through with the sharp decline of Matt Carpenter, Edmundo Sosa’s turn into a regular shortstop at points of the season, the late emergence of Lars Nootbaar, and streaky play from Jose Rondon. Equally streaky Lane Thomas was traded for Jon Lester when pitching was needed mid-season. Noted prospects Nolan Gorman and Juan Yepez are also knocking at the door. While Nootbaar will certainly mix into the Cardinals system of situational play, other options must be looked into for a successful 2022.

Let’s take a look at some other options the Cardinals should take a look at this offseason.