Cardinals: Ranking the top 5 offseason needs for St. Louis

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 21: Lars Nootbaar #21 of the St Louis Cardinals celebrates with Brendan Donovan #33 after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Chase Field on August 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 21: Lars Nootbaar #21 of the St Louis Cardinals celebrates with Brendan Donovan #33 after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Chase Field on August 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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St. Louis Cardinals Tyler O'Neill
Tyler O’Neill #27 of the St Louis Cardinals reacts after striking out. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Outfield

Going into the 2022 season, the outfield looked to have the least question marks on all of the roster. Tyler O’Neill, Harrison Bader, and Dylan Carlson looked to be the future of the Cardinals outfield, and now things look drastically different.

Bader is on the Yankees, O’Neill and Carlson have had major down years, and guys like Lars Nootbaar and Corey Dickerson may be the club’s best options right now. The Cardinals front office has to at least explore the possibility of upgrading in the outfield.

The club could look to sign one of Andrew Benintendi, Brandon Nimmo, or Joc Pederson to provide a steady presence in the outfield and see which one of O’Neill, Carlson, and Nootbaar emerge as the third outfielder. The club could look to add a major bat to their lineup in the form of a trade for Mike Trout or another outfield bat on the trade block.

Jordan Walker’s imminent debut probably fills one of those outfield spots. Maybe Alec Burleson or Brendan Donovan steals another one. The Cardinals probably believe one or two of O’Neill, Carlson, and Nootbaar can be an everyday player for them. But if there is an opportunity to make a major upgrade there or get a great deal on a veteran bat, the club should consider that.