3 bounce back candidates the Cardinals should target in free agency this offseason

With the payroll for the 2025 season uncertain, the Cardinals could find themselves looking for potential bargains or contracts they can backload as they head into free agency. Here are a few players that would be nice additions for next season.

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Kevin Pillar, outfielder

Pillar was mediocre at the plate in 2023, but he excelled at mashing left-handed pitching, something the Cardinals could use in the outfield next season. Posting a .310/.352/.500 slash line with three home runs and 24 RBI in 116 at-bats versus lefties last season, Pillar also plays solid defense at all three outfield positions.

He would be a perfect fit off of the Cardinals bench, getting spot starts against left-handed pitching and being a potential pinch-runner or defensive replacement late into games.

Pillar will be 36 years old heading into the 2025 season, so his cost would be cheap compared to other options they could look at for matching up with left-handed pitching like former Cardinal outfielder Randal Grichuk or utilityman Mark Canha.

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