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3 contract extensions the Cardinals should pursue, and 3 they should avoid (for now)
With Spring Training underway, it's nice to see the players who are already putting in the work with their team. After last season's disastrous 71-91 end, it would be easy to drag into training and just coast. But no. The St. Louis Cardinals have a chip on their shoulder, and they are ready to show they are better than they showed last season.
Thank goodness. It is good to see several younger players, specifically the non-pitchers, already at camp working on hitting and fielding.
With work beginning for the players, it may also be an excellent time to work on contracts and get certain players locked up long-term. Who should the Cardinals work to get a contract extension, and who should they hold off on for now?
A contract extension the Cardinals' should pursue: Jordan Walker
He's the most exciting young Cardinals prospect in some time. The Cardinals must do all they can to lock him up for future seasons.
Walker came to spring camp with noticeably more muscle mass and a changed stance in his plate appearances. It will be interesting over the next few weeks as he takes some reps in Spring Training games to see how that work he's put in will benefit him and the Cardinals.
He's such a fun and joyous player to watch. He brings a lot to the table for the team. Walker's teammates and fans can not wait to see what is next for the young slugger.
Suppose he has a tremendously successful first half of his season. In that case, it will become essential for Cardinals president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, to get him signed to a long-term contract to keep him in St. Louis for years.
A contract extension the Cardinals' should pursue: Brendan Donovan
When Donovan ended his season on the injured list in 2023, it was as if the disaster the Cardinals found themselves in had just been compounded. In Donovan, the Cardinals found a Gold Glove utility defender who can play all over the infield and outfield. He has a bat that can spray hits around the field and even into home run territory.
While he will be watched closely this spring after season-ending surgery in 2023, his arm, Donovan, is set all over the Cardinal's depth chart this season except for pitcher, catcher, and center field. Donovan is the kind of player a team could deem "untouchable." He is also a player you try to lock up. If he gets the all-clear, the Cardinals should sign Donovan long-term immediately.
A contract extension the Cardinals' should pursue: Paul Goldschmidt
He was the NL MVP in 2022. Much like the 2023 Cardinals, he had a down season. Goldschmidt certainly has a chip on his shoulder after that disastrous season. Combine that with becoming a free agent after this season, and Goldschmidt should have an epic 2024 season.
After insisting the Cardinals bring in more veteran leadership, he's already showing he is a more vocal leader this season. Goldschmidt will need to bring leadership, and his bat will need to return to life. He did spend some time at Driveline Baseball this offseason, he is working to improve his swing.
Goldschmidt seems to be working to be better next season and a better example to his teammates. This is so important for the team after such a disastrous 2023 season.
If he can lead in pulling this team back together, Mozleliak must extend Goldschmidt to remain with the Cardinals after this 2024 season.
A contract extension the Cardinals' should hold off on (for now): Lars Nootbaar
Nootbaar had a whirlwind start to his 2023 season. He went overseas and became an international superstar overnight with Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He helped Team Japan win it all but struggled mightily to help the Cardinals win when the MLB season began.
He had a pretty good season, even though he was sidelined several times due to injury.
With Tyler O'Neill getting traded to the Boston Red Sox, it is believed Nootbaar could be in the driver's seat to take over at left field, with Tommy Edman in center field and Jordan Walker at right field. Lots could happen over the next few weeks, though, so it should be interesting to see how it all shakes out for the Cardinal's defense.
It would be great to see how well Nootbaar does this season. He becomes arbitration-eligible after this season, and it would be awesome to see a great 2024 season turn into a solid contract for the young star.
A contract extension the Cardinals' should hold off on (for now): Nolan Gorman
Nolan Gorman has so much potential. But how healthy will he be this season and beyond? A lot really depends on that!
It's believed Gorman could play second base or be a designated hitter for the team. Last year, he was on the same track but spent some time on the injured list with lingering back issues. This off-season, the team had him alter his workout regimen. Hopefully, this works out better for Goman than it did when the same request was made for Tyler O'Neill. Gorman does seem more willing to accept coaching than O'Neill. I think this could work out well.
Gorman was on a pace to lead the team in home runs before his season ended due to injury. It should be fun to see how Gorman progresses over the coming weeks. He has a superstar slugger potential, which the Cardinals need. He becomes arbitration-eligible next season and will be a free agent in 2029. The Cardinals should see how the next season works out and consider a lengthy contract.
A contract extension the Cardinals' should hold off on (for now): Riley O'Brien
There's just something intriguing about Riley O'Brien. The Cardinals acquired the right-handed pitcher from the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations. What a bargain!
O'Brien has a little over two innings of Major League Baseball experience. When John Mozeliak promised "pitching, pitching, pitching" was the target of this offseason, a right-handed pitcher with less than five innings of total experience wasn't what fans bargained to see from their team.
Then fans learn that he has developed a sweeper pitch with a 21-inch horizontal break, which should grab your attention. O'Brien's potential then becomes a hot topic. He could start the season in AAA but break camp with St. Louis if he impresses. The team must give manager Oli Marmol and pitching coach Dusty Blake all the options.
This is more wishful thinking, but it would be wonderful if O'Brien were so impressive the Cardinals were forced to sign him long-term to keep him around. Having a relief pitcher with this potential is incredibly ideal for the Cardinals after all of the relievers were taxed due to having to go multiple innings over multiple days in a row, thanks to a starting rotation that was also taxed.
The Cardinals will likely give him all the opportunities this season to succeed and see what happens from there for the pitcher.
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