4 potential impact players the Cardinals seem to have lost interest in
With the 2023 season winding down, who have the Cardinals seemingly lost interest in?
With the St. Louis Cardinals seemingly using this season to set their 2024 needs, they seem to have lost interest in certain players remaining a part of the club beyond 2023.
Given their desperate need for pitching, the Cardinals still had high hopes for a successful 2023 season, even without acquiring pitching. Just four months into the season, at the trade deadline, Cardinals president John Mozeliak finally acknowledged the team should have done more to acquire pitching rather than depend on undependable arms.
This offseason, the Cardinals will continue to bolster their roster. While the Cardinals could use a veteran outfielder, Mozeliak will primarily look for pitching. He has said that he's looking for at least three starting pitchers. He has even acknowledged knowing they will need more than the usual five-man rotation going into future seasons.
The team seems to be narrowing down some players, but they will keep moving forward. It's becoming obvious who the Cardinals haven't seen in recent games, which they may be preparing to part ways with via trade.
Let's discuss who the Cardinals may part ways with at the end of the season to bolster their roster.
Ivan Herrera seems to have lost interest of the Cardinals
Herrera was once the heir apparent to Yadier Molina as Cardinals catcher once the legend retired.
Andrew Knizner struggled during parts of the 2022 season, and the Cardinals gave Herrera a shot to stand out and take that role while Molina was away from the team on personal business. Instead of impressing, Herrera was disappointed and looked like he needed to return to AAA Memphis to continue improving.
Herrera did use that time to improve but it appears to be too late.
After the 2022 season, the Cardinals quickly signed the top-available free-agent catcher Willson Contreras. He signed a five-year $87.5 million contract to be the Cardinals catcher. While there have been some struggles, Andrew Knizner has been an incredible backup, even starting the position while Contreras is the team's designated hitter.
Knizner had a severe injury, which did allow Herrera to come up. Herrera hit .348/.423/.391 with an OPS of .814. He's also performed very well at Memphis, hitting .296/.444/.493 and an OPS of .937. He's had 25 doubles, one triple, nine HRs, 60 runs scored and 56 RBI.
It seemed like Herrera would undoubtedly return to St. Louis at some point this summer to build on his outstanding performance, but this has yet to happen, making it easy to assume the Cardinals are keeping him safe in Memphis to use as a trade chip this offseason.
Knizner has been a keen backup to Contreras and is a beloved teammate. It's easy to see why they would want to keep Kiz around. Herrera's talent could also be a nice chip in a potential trade.
Dylan Carlson seems to have lost interest of the Cardinals
Carlson's last game in center field for the Cardinals was on August 9th. Since then, he's been nursing an ankle injury. Last week, it was announced he would go on the injured list for a season-ending ankle surgery.
Carlson has had some lingering issues since last season. During that time, the Cardinals entertained offers to trade him, but never followed through. Given the injury issues, it's understandable.
Lars Nootbaar and Tommy Edman have been better and more dynamic options in centerfield since Carlson's decline this season.
At one time, Carlson was the top prospect in the organization. Once he debuted in the Covid-19 shortened 2020 season, Carlson could not stay healthy and declined. This offseason will be Carlson's first arbitration-eligible season. It would not be surprising to see the Cardinals non-tender Carlson. But, it would also not shock to see them attempt to sign him on a one-year deal to help him through the rehab process after the ankle surgery. The Cardinals would likely attempt to trade him, though.
Tyler O'Neill seems to have lost interest of the Cardinals
O'Neill was placed on the injury list over the weekend with a sprained foot. It does make one wonder if this is the last fans will see of O'Neill in a Cardinals uniform.
O'Neill went into this season purposefully changing his workouts and preparation to avoid too much time on the injured list. Despite his best efforts, he spent several weeks on the injured list with various injuries. He also fell to drama as Marmol and Mozeliak publicly criticized him for a perceived lack of hustle. O'Neill took exception to the criticism, noting a hard work ethic.
O'Neill did have some impact this season. It was great to have his Gold Glove-caliber defense back in left field. He hit .231/.312/.403 and an OPS of .715. He had 14 doubles, nine home runs, five stolen bases, 27 runs scored and 21 RBI.
O'Neill's situation in 2024 will be interesting. He has one more season of arbitration eligibility and will be a free agent in 2025. Given the likely lingering frustrations on both sides, the Cardinals could cut their losses and non-tender O'Neill.
Andre Pallante seems to have lost interest of the Cardinals
Pallante has had a bit of a sophomore slump this season. Last season, he bypassed AAA Memphis to join St. Louis after an impressive spring training. He was a starter for part of that season and then moved to long relief.
This season, he's been a reliever. And a possibly overused reliever at that. It almost seems as though opponents have figured him out. In 58 games this season, Pallante is 4-1 with a 5.00 ERA. He's pitched 63 innings with 42 strikeouts and 35 earned runs. He has a 59.6 percent first-strike rate and a 22.2 percent chase.
Pallante would like to finish the season with the team but not have as many outings. Pallante should be given time to shut down and prepare to ramp up for an improved 2024 season.