Cardinals: Pros and cons of free agent targets for St. Louis

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Trea Turner #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws out Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres on an infield grounder during the second inning of a game at PETCO Park on September 28, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Trea Turner #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws out Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres on an infield grounder during the second inning of a game at PETCO Park on September 28, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 15: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves at bat against the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 15: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves at bat against the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Dansby Swanson

Pros

  • Dansby Swanson is one of the highest makeup guys in all of baseball, and really embodies what fans come to expect from core St. Louis players. Great teammate, high work ethic, plays the game the right way. You know he will slot right into what this organization values.
  • Swanson pairs his elite defense with an above average bat, making him a great fit in an elite Cardinals defense and is coming off of a career year at the plate. In 2022, Swanson slashed .277/.329/.447 with 25 HR and 96 RBI for the Atlanta Braves.

Cons

  • I’ve already showed my cards on Swanson in the past, but he seems like only a slight upgrade at shortstop for the Cardinals, but will require a long-term deal in the $25 million per year range. If you are going to spend big on a shortstop, why not grab one of the top three then, who have proven track records?
  • Even in a career year last year, he fell off in the second half, and has really only been an above-average bat at the plate one season of his career, 2022. Why not just stick with Tommy Edman at that point?

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