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3 most indispensable players on the Cardinals roster for 2024
The 2024 season will be a big test for the Cardinals. They're going to need these three stars to carry them if they want to contend.
It's a big year for the Cardinals. If they don't return to their winning ways, the future of the organization will be uncertain.
However, before we get to that, let's assume that the Cardinals are able to bounce back into contention following their worst season since 1990. In a weak NL Central, they should be able to at least remain competitive.
But in order to be competitive, they're going to need certain players to stay healthy and perform at their highest level.
Every team has players who can be considered indispensable. The Cardinals are no different.
In this piece, we will discuss the three most indispensable players on the Cardinals roster for the 2024 season.
3. Brendan Donovan
The Cardinals certainly felt the absence of Brendan Donovan late in the season. On the day of the trade deadline, he underwent Tommy John surgery, which took him out of the lineup for the remainder of the season.
It likely wouldn't have made too much of a difference, but it still hurt. Donovan can play almost everywhere on the field and provides power, speed, and elite defense. He even has a Gold Glove to his name.
Donovan is a catalyst for the Cardinals and somebody who can truly be considered a table-setter. They're going to need him healthy if they want to contend. His super utility skills are extremely valuable to the Cardinals, especially if a player needs a day off.
He could be used at first base if the Cardinals want to give Paul Goldschmidt a day off, or slot in at third base if Nolan Arenado needs a day.
2. Tommy Edman
Tommy Edman was slowed a bit last year by a wrist injury and didn't have the same type of offensive year he did in 2022.
However, when injuries decimated the Cardinals outfield, Edman filled in at center field and provided elite defense. Like Donovan, Edman can play almost anywhere on the field. He was one of five Cardinals to win a Gold Glove in 2021.
But he is also a catalyst when he's at his best. What also makes Edman so valuable is the fact that he is a switch hitter, one that possesses solid bat-to-ball skills and even some power.
It's also important to remember that the Cardinals are trusting Masyn Winn to be their everyday shortstop. There are certainly question marks surrounding Winn due to his bat being unproven.
If Winn does struggle at the plate and needs to be sent down to Triple-A, Edman could be moved back to the shortstop position as an insurance policy. But if Edman's wrist continues to bother him, the Cardinals may be in trouble and have to search outside the organization for some help on the position player side.
Needless to say, Edman is irreplaceable, and the Cardinals cannot afford to lose him for an extended period of time this coming season. They need him healthy because of the versatility he brings to the table and the many ways he can help the team.
1. Sonny Gray
Out of everyone on this current roster, Sonny Gray is the most irreplaceable. This is because of the pitching conundrum the Cardinals found themselves in last year. They had no depth and the quality of starting pitching was also lacking.
Gray is the undisputed ace of this year's staff. For the first time in a few years, the Cardinals actually have somebody that can be considered as such.
Beyond Gray though, the rest of the rotation is human. Miles Mikolas didn't have his best year, Steven Matz couldn't stay healthy, and Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn are gambles. If Gray gets hurt and the best the Cardinals have is Mikolas, they're going to be in a lot of trouble and could even sink back to where they were at the end of the 2023 season, in last place in the NL Central.
It will prove once again that the Cardinals have not properly addressed their pitching staff. Most good teams have at least two frontline starters. Beyond Gray, none of the other starters can be considered frontline guys.
But if Gray is healthy and repeats his performance from last year, the Cardinals should be just fine. But they really need Gray to be healthy. They banked a lot on signing three starters above the age of 33 and going into the season with Matz, who is set to turn 33, as the youngest of the group.
Hopefully Gray gives the Cardinals exactly what they need in 2024.
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