Cardinals: Left-handed bat options on the free agent market

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Michael Brantley #23 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 25, 2022 in New York City. The Astros defeated the Yankees 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Michael Brantley #23 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 25, 2022 in New York City. The Astros defeated the Yankees 3-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Oct 8, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) reacts after hitting a RBI single in the fourth inning during game two of the Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) reacts after hitting a RBI single in the fourth inning during game two of the Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Nimmo

One of the best bats available on the free agent market, Brandon Nimmo will not come cheap, but would provide the Cardinals with a rich man’s version of Michael Brantley.

In 2022, Nimmo slashed .274/.367/.433 with 16 HR and 64 RBI in 151 games. From 2018-2021, Nimmo finished all but one of those seasons with an OBP above .400. Nimmo is one of the best in the business at getting on base. He would likely hit toward the top of the St. Louis order and give Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado someone to drive in consistently.

On top of that, Nimmo plays quality defense in center field, which would provide great value for the Cardinals. Like Brantley, one of the major concerns to have would be Nimmo’s injury history. He managed to play in 151 games in 2022, but since debuting in 2016, he has only managed to play over 100 games just one other time in 2018. Not a great track record at all.

Investing in Nimmo would be trusting that he can remain healthy and produce at a high level for years to come. He is only 29-years old, but that injury bug raises a lot of questions for any potential suitors.