St. Louis Cardinals: Three Free Agent Targets this offseason

The St. Louis Cardinals have roster holes to fill before the 2023 season. Here are three free agents John Mozeliak and company should consider signing.

The 2023 St. Louis Cardinals are going to have fresh faces on and off the field. Gone are franchise favorites Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, as they officially retire after the season. The Cardinals, by all accounts, have not discussed resigning 2023 free agents Jose Quintana or Corey Dickerson.

This leaves spaces available for John Mozeliak and company to fill the holes either via free agency or developed prospects. Earlier this month, John Mozeliak announced that the Cardinals will increase payroll for next season.

Here are who I believe the St. Louis Cardinals should consider signing for 2023.

Willson Contreras

Even though the Chicago Cubs may send a $19 million dollar qualifying offer to Contreras, all signs point to the star catcher leaving the North Side of the Windy City.

"Sources say the Cubs expect to see how his market plays out before closing the door on a reunion, but that looks like a longshot at best, considering it will be their unwillingness to trade him at the deadline and to tag him with a qualifying offer that will be part of contributing to any softening of his market."

For the first time since 2000, the Cardinals will not have Mike Matheny or Yadier Molina as the primary catcher. Here at Redbird Rants, J.T. Buchheit wrote about Contreras a St. Louis Cardinal. The Cardinals have already shown interest during the season, and Jose Quintana is rumored to be close with Contreras dating back to their time with the Cubs.

Signing Willson Contreras should be the top priority of the St. Louis Cardinals. Yadier Molina will retire after the MLB season after nineteen seasons with the Birds on the Bat. Andrew Knizner has not shown enough to be the franchise catcher moving forward. Ivan Herrera has potential, but he is too raw right now.

Willson Contreras provides an immediate upgrade at the catcher position for St. Louis.

Contreras is currently the best catcher available on the free agent market. Spotrac has the Cubs’ catcher with a projected market value just over $16 million dollars per year. With some contracts coming off the books, the Cardinals can make a move and sign Contreras for that value.