5 Options to Play Shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals

BOSTON, MA - MAY 04: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels Fenway Park on May 4, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 04: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels Fenway Park on May 4, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners looks on during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 01, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners looks on during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 01, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) /

Option 3: J.P. Crawford

Heading into the 2022 season, the Seattle Mariners were a popular pick among experts to finally break their playoff slump and either win the AL West or take one of the AL Wild Cards. The Mariners have started a bit slow though, sitting at 15-18 and already 7 games back of the Astros in first place. There is still plenty of time for the Mariners to turn the season around, but they could end up selling at the deadline.

One Mariner who has not started off slow this season is shortstop J.P. Crawford. Many thought Seattle would go after one of the big name shortstops this offseason, but they opted to allow Crawford to continue holding down short, and he has done a terrific job. Crawford is currently slashing .330/.414/.523 with 4 home runs and 11 RBI so far. His great on base skills and sneaky power from the left side of the plate would be a welcome addition in a Cardinal lineup lacking left handed options.

One thing that may be appealing about Crawford as opposed to Xander Bogaerts is the price tag. Crawford signed a 5-year, $51 million contract with the Mariners before the start of the 2022 season, so acquiring Crawford would give the Cardinals a long term option at shortstop one a very reasonable contract. Even with the contract certainty, the prospect haul required should not be very high, and the Mariners may be incentive to create space for top prospect Noelvi Marte, who projects as a shortstop for the club.