5 St. Louis Cardinals players in line for contract extensions

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 15, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 15, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The St. Louis Cardinals should offer contract extensions to these five players.

The St. Louis Cardinals are in a good position for the 2023 season. Paul Goldschmidt is signed through 2024, and provided Nolan Arenado doesn’t opt out, the corners are set. Tommy Edman and Nolan Gorman look like long-term middle infield answers, although the current outfield is a bit of a question mark with Tyler O’Neill, Dylan Carlson and Lars Nootbaar holding down the starting jobs as of now. Catching could be an issue with Yadier Molina retiring. The rotation isn’t set in stone yet, but Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas will likely be its foundation. Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos should have the back end of the bullpen in good hands.

There are a couple of question marks after next year, though. While the Cardinals have most of their marquee players signed for a few more seasons, some other key pieces are set to come off the books for 2024. The Cardinals should consider offering contract extensions to some of these players before they become free agents or, in some cases, eligible for arbitration.

The five players in this list are either arbitration eligible or set to be free agents in 2023 or 2024.