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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New York Yankees Andrew Benintendi
Andrew Benintendi #18 of the New York Yankees bats during the game against the Oakland Athletics.(Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

Andrew Benintendi

Traded to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline, Andrew Benintendi made his first All-Star appearance in 2022, playing great defense in left field and becoming an on-base machine.

The 28-year old slashed .304/.373/.399 with 5 HR and 51 RBI this past season, and would have been a core member of the Yankees lineup in the postseason had he not gotten injured prior to that. Benintendi has more power in him as well, hitting 17 HR in 2021 and having a career slugging percentage of .431.

Benintendi is a former Gold Glove winner as well, making him a two-way threat for St. Louis should they decide to bring him in. His steady presence at the plate mixed with his elite defense fits a lot of the profile of what the Cardinals look for in their players.

Benintendi will be more expensive than guys like Carpenter and Brantley, but should not draw nearly the same amount of money that a Nimmo would. Having played in Kansas City for the last few years, Benintendi would fit right back in Missouri.

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