4 position players the Cardinals could trade for this offseason

OF Taylor Ward

Taylor Ward was rumored to be as good as gone at this year's trade deadline. Instead, the Angels held on to their potent outfielder in hopes of contending in 2025 and 2026. That concept looks bleak, though, as the Angels don't have a very strong farm system, and Mike Trout's health has failed him in recent years.

If general manager Perry Minasian decides that 2025 isn't the team's competitive window, he could look to shop players like Taylor Ward once again. If that's the case, John Mozeliak should give him a call immediately. Ward, 30, is a right-handed outfielder who could realistically see time in center field, something the Cardinals could use desperately since Victor Scott II, Michael Siani, Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, and Alec Burleson all hit left-handed. Ward would bring balance to the outfield in that respect.

He is a career .252/.329/.430 hitter, but his last four seasons have all been strong and have featured him being an above-average hitter. This year, Ward has a .246/.319/.434 slash line with 23 home runs for an OPS+ of 110. Ward's June and July months were poor, but he's managed to have a 1.182 OPS in September through just 11 games. He's graded out as a positive defender in the outfield according to all metrics for his career.

Ward still has two more years of arbitration left, and he was paid $4.8 million this year. He's going to see boosts in salary these next two seasons, so he could eventually surpass $10 million via arbitration. His team control paired with his potent offense and serviceable defense could make him a costly commodity this offseason, but his strong offensive output should fit the bill as a "tentpole bat".