4 position players the Cardinals could trade for this offseason

In his one of most recent chats, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch was asked if the St. Louis Cardinals should target a top-of-the-rotation pitcher to pair with Sonny Gray or find a "big bopper" position player this offseason. Ideally, as Goold stated, both should be acquired. However, he went on to say that a "tentpole" hitter -- someone who can slot into the heart of a batting order -- would likely be acquired via trade rather than free agency.

Therefore, it feels logical for the Cardinals to trade for a tentpole bat this offseason. Lately, the front office has been hesitant to trade its prospects. Instead, John Mozeliak has opted to build up the farm system with trades of veterans, particularly at the 2023 MLB trade deadline. This year, Mozeliak finagled trades to improve the team without trading any of the organization's top prospects.

There could be several key position players available this offseason via trade. Making offseason trades for big-name players has been John Mozeliak's modus operandi of late. He's worked trades during the offseason for players like Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and others. The same could happen this offseason.

It's been rumored that payroll will be frozen or possibly cut this offseason. Therefore, player acquisition will be difficult even with over $50 million coming off the books from free agents this offseason. Acquiring players via trade allows a little more financial flexibility, particularly if the opposing team sends cash over to help offset the financial differences should the Cardinals trade prospects instead of major league players.

First base, outfield, and even designated hitter are all positions the Cardinals could improve, but a utility infielder to pair with Brendan Donovan, Thomas Saggese, Masyn Winn, and Nolan Gorman next year wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Here are 4 "tentpole" bats that the Cardinals can acquire this offseason via trade.