Cardinals: 5 big free agent targets for St. Louis entering offseason

Sep 9, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak looks on from the dugout before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak looks on from the dugout before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Francisco Giants Joc Pederson
Joc Pederson #23 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the St. Louis Cardinals. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Joc Pederson

Entering 2021, the Cardinals outfield unit was one of the strongest in all of baseball with Tyler O’Neill, Harrison Bader, and Dylan Carlson. Two of those players were not on the roster for the Wild Card Series and the other did not even start in Game 2. Joc Pederson would be a welcomed addition to this mix.

The Cardinals struggle against right-handed pitching, and Joc Pederson is the perfect platoon option for that. Pederson, who primarily started against right-handed pitching for the Giants, had an .874 OPS with 23 HR and 70 RBIs in just 380 AB. St. Louis could use him alongside Lars Nootbaar and Tyler O’Neill against right handed pitching, and then have him as a weapon off the bench when a lefty starter is on the mound.

Pederson does not carry the same star power as others on this list, but would come at a much more affordable price and maybe be the best bang for your buck at of the bunch. He also seems like the most realistic big upgrade for the offense if the club also invested in pitching, so Pederson may be the correct move if they want to throw money at Rodon or Kershaw.

Next. Top 10 Moments of Cardinals Regular Season. dark

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