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Cardinals: Left-handed bat options on the free agent market
By Josh Jacobs
Who are the left-handed bats in free agency that the Cardinals could target?
St. Louis Cardinals’ President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak identified a few different needs this offseason for the club, one of them being a left-handed bat that can do damage in their line-up.
Mozeliak: Cardinals Seeking Catching Help, Left-Handed Bat https://t.co/GvDYUMlwXF pic.twitter.com/fr2RbNGmXr
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 17, 2022
Some of the names that could have fit the bill are already off the market. Joc Pederson accepted the qualifying offer from San Francisco and Anthony Rizzo re-signed with the New York Yankees. If the Cardinals want to bring in that left-handed bat through free agency, the options are beginning to thin out.
Still, there remains some intriguing options on the market for St. Louis if they desire to grab a left-handed bat for their lineup. Here are options they could pursue in the free agent market this offseason.
Michael Brantley
Michael Brantley has been a key member of the Houston Astros lineup since 2019 and could provide championship experience and a boost for the Cardinals lineup. His 2022 season was cut short due to injury, but the 35-year old has shown no signs of slowing down at the plate.
Before his injury, Brantley was slashing .288/.370/.416 with 5 HR and 26 RBI in 64 games for Houston. Brantley does not hit for much power, but he is an on-base machine and knows how to come up big when it matters most. His style of play feels like that of a Cardinal.
Brantley should be affordable in free agency due to his age and injury history, but is a talent that could make a major difference for the Cardinals. His mix of leadership, mentorship for the younger outfielders, and consistent left-handed bat would all draw major value for St. Louis.