Buy or Sell: 2022 Projections for St. Louis Cardinals Lineup

Tyler O'Neill #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on September 18, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
Tyler O'Neill #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium on September 18, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) /
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Corey Dickerson #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays at bat during their MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on October 1, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
Corey Dickerson #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays at bat during their MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on October 1, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

DH/OF Corey Dickerson

2022 Projection: BA: .264, OBP: .320, SLG: .428, OPS: .747, R: 51, H: 106, 2B: 22, 3B: 4, HR: 12, RBI: 48, SB: 5, CS: 3, BB: 31, SO: 88

Verdict: Buy

It is unknown at the moment who will be the Cardinals Opening Day DH, but after signing Corey Dickerson this last week, he very well may be penciled in there. (Lars Nootbaar and Juan Yepez are the other two most likely candidates).

Coming off a solid 2021 season with the Marlins and Blue Jays where he slashed .271/.326/.408 with 18 2Bs and 6 HRs in only 109 games, there is reason to believe the Cardinals new left handed bat can put up similar numbers in 2022.  Dickerson will likely see time in the outfield and DH depending on the day, but will need to produce in order to have consistent playing time with the number of guys vying for the DH and top bench bat stop.

C Yadier Molina

2022 Projected: BA: .245, OBP: .294, SLG: .364, OPS: .658, R: 46, H: 108, 2B: 19, 3B: 0, HR: 11, RBI: 58, SB: 4, CS: 0, BB: 26, SO: 83

Verdict: Buy

After really struggling at the plate in 2021, expect more of the same from Yadier Molina in 2022.

In 2021, Molina slashed .252/.297/.370 with 19 2Bs and 11 HRs in 121 games. In what will likely be his final major league season, it is likely he will appear in even less games, splitting time with catcher Andrew Knizner or potentially prospect Ivan Herrera. Molina will be the weakest link in the Cardinal order, but will hope to provide a boost to the team with his leadership, experience, and ability to guide a pitching staff.

Next. 4 potential blockbuster trades for the St. Louis Cardinals. dark