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.

1B Yandy Diaz

With the possible departure of Paul Goldschmidt this offseason, the Cardinals could look to replace him with a player from outside of the organization. Luken Baker and Alec Burleson appear to be Goldy's replacements, but Burly could feasibly play outfield and DH most days, and Baker could also be the team's primary designated hitter who also plays first base on occasion.

If John Mozeliak looks outside the organization for improvements, first baseman Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays could be a perfect fit. Diaz, 33, has two more years of team control following 2024 thanks to his three-year, $24 million contract he signed last season to buy out his arbitration years. He's owed $8 million next year, and he has a $12 million club option for 2026. This isn't an expensive contract, and he can be cut fairly easily after next year if he doesn't perform well in St. Louis.

Diaz is a career .289/.373/.434 hitter with a 126 OPS+ over eight years. He was an All-Star last year, and he won the batting title in the American League with a .330 average. He's never been known for his power, as he has a career ISO of just .145. However, his ability to make contact has always been strong.

This year, Diaz has taken a step back with a .284/.341/.420 slash line to go along with 14 home runs and 65 runs batted in for an OPS+ of 117. He does not strike o often (15.1% K rate), but his walk rate has fallen to just 7.7% this year. Diaz also doesn't grade out as positively defensively as Goldschmidt has in his career, but he's close to a neutral defender nonetheless.

Since we're talking about dealing with the Tampa Bay Rays, an organization that John Mozeliak has become familiar with these past five years (see Randy Arozarena, Richie Palacios, and Dylan Carlson), Mo should tread lightly in negotiations. The Cardinals could get by with sending prospects, particularly ones around the 7-15 range organizationally to the Rays for their veteran first baseman.

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".

DH/OF Brent Rooker

Wouldn't this be nice? The Cardinals' 2024 manager, be it Oliver Marmol or someone else, could plug Brent Rooker in as the team's designated hitter every day and not think twice about it.

Rooker will turn 30 in November, so he's definitely what most would call a "late bloomer". He didn't debut until he was almost 26, but he's made up for the lost time these past two seasons. After slow starts with the Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, and Kansas City Royals, Rooker has found a home with the Oakland Athletics. He has spent most of his time as a designated hitter, but he's also played a little bit of corner outfield for the A's.

This year, Rooker is slashing .298/.370/.578 with 36 home runs and 103 runs batted in. He has a crazy .947 OPS and a 170 OPS+. It's not hyperbolic to say that Brent Rooker has been one of the best pure hitters in all of baseball this year. It's taken him some time to discover his power stroke, but he seems to have tapped into something these past two years offensively.

In just 102.1 innings in the outfield this year, Rooker has accumulated -2 defensive runs saved and -3 outs above average. If the Cardinals acquire him this offseason, he should be used sparingly in the outfield. Given the fact that the Cardinals have at least five players who could plausibly play the outfield next year, his time out there probably won't be necessary.

The one-time All-Star will enter arbitration for the first time next year, so he still has three more years of team control. A player with his offensive profile and team control won't come cheap; to acquire Brent Rooker, at least one of the organization's top prospects will have to go. Perhaps John Mozeliak can get creative and send some major league players over as well to entice the A's.