No. 3: Kolten Wong (2016-2020)
As is the case with a lot of players like Wong, you don’t know what you’re missing until he is gone. Although Tommy Edman has taken over at second base almost seamlessly, the value that Wong provided on his extension back in 2016 is underappreciated.
Although Wong was not in the conversation for best second baseman in the game, his five-year, $25.5 million deal was an absolute steal. Over that period, Wong posted a slash line of .267/.350/.390 with 129 extra base hits, 178 RBIs, 222 runs, and 50 stolen bases while receiving the Gold Glove award in both 2019 and 2020.
His peak season was 2019, as in route to his first career Gold Glove, Wong finished 20th in MVP voting while slashing .285/.361/.423 with 25 doubles and 11 home runs.
Wong has continued to find success with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021, and it is a shame that the Cardinals could not find a way to keep him on the roster moving forward.