Cardinals: Signing this player would be a huge mistake for St. Louis

The Cardinals have good options at shortstop

Again, St. Louis could upgrade at shortstop in the offseason, but the play of both Tommy Edman and Brendan Donovan in 2022 means the Cardinals do not need to get desperate at that position either.

Edman should win a Gold Glove again this season and rose to the occasion at the plate as well, slashing .265/.324/.400 with 13 HR and 57 RBI to go along with 32 SB on the season. Edman is not the flashiest player player at the plate, but being one of the best defenders in baseball and an above average hitter makes you extremely valuable.

Donovan should finish right behind Michael Harris and Spencer Strider in the NL Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .281/.394/.379 with 5 HR and 45 RBI in 126 G for St. Louis. Donovan was easily one of the breakout players for the Cardinals this season and should be considered an everyday player at this point. The club won’t want him as their primary shortstop due to his defensive limitations, but he did appear there in 7 games this year.

The Cardinals also have MLB.com’s #51 prospect in baseball, Masyn Winn, an exciting shortstop who continues to make headlines as he develops in the Cardinals system, and should begin the 2023 season even higher on prospect lists.

This means that unless a shortstop that St. Louis targets gives them a major boost at the plate, they can look to add a bat elsewhere, such as catcher, outfield, or even another full-time designated hitter. The club has too many good options now and in the future to invest heavily in a player who may not give them a major boost.