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5 Cardinals players who could define the team's direction entering Spring Training
Just days before Spring Training kicks off for the 2024 season, the St. Louis Cardinals still have questions to answer.
Just days before Spring Training kicks off for the 2024 season, the St. Louis Cardinals still have questions to answer. The 2023 season was a complete disaster. It was far from what was anticipated. While baseball fans are skeptical, this is the most skepticism that a Cardinals fan has legitimately felt going into the season in some time.
Last season, several Cardinals started their seasons playing for their respective home country's World Baseball Classic team. The team will remain together through Spring Training. They will have the time together to learn from each other. To build upon the Cardinal Way.
The Cardinals start their season with their manager firmly on the hot season. Thankfully for Oli Marmol, he has a new bench coach in Daniel Descalso. He has the grit and determination of a man you want in the dugout with you. Yadier Molina will be in the dugout as an advisor. Molina's presence will be significant.
Dusty Blake felt short-staffed and overwhelmed in his first season as pitching coach. In 2024, Blake has an assistant coach in Dean Kiekhefer. The pair will have a huge season ahead. Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz appear to be the only returning starters set to join new additions Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson. The team has a plethora of young pitching talent joining several veteran bullpen arms set to compete for spots on the Opening Day roster.
This is indeed the most important Spring Training in some time.
While the team has big things to consider, several individual players go into this spring training with the knowledge their performance could determine success or failure for their team in a crucial season.
Masyn Winn could define the Cardinals' direction in 2024
He's one of the most exciting prospects the Cardinals have had. He did not have a great 2023 season, though. Winn must make strides to improve for the 2024 season. Starting spring training, he must show he is ready to be the Cardinal's everyday shortstop and impact the lineup.
In 2023, he hit .137/.230/.238 with an OPS of .467. He scored two doubles, two home runs, eight runs, and 12 RBIs. It's a far cry from how well he did at AAA Memphis, where he hit .288/.359/.474 with an OPS of .834 with 15 doubles, seven triples, 18 home runs, 99 runs scored, and 61 RBI.
With his new guy vibes shaken off, Winn should be able to focus on putting it all together at the plate and match his tremendous play at shortstop. He is one of the players whose performance could determine the team's success or failure. If he fails at shortstop, the team could be forced to move Tommy Edman from centerfield back to shortstop. Other assorted moves could be forced and throw everything off. This is possibly dramatic, but the Cardinals do have a lot invested in Winn performing well at shortstop this season.
Willson Contreras could define the Cardinals' direction in 2024
Contreras was looking forward to following in the footsteps of legendary Yadier Molina to become the Cardinals' everyday catcher. While he was incredibly professional in the face of his new manager and pitching staff throwing him under the bus for not being Molina, he stepped up and powered through.
This season, Contreras will have a whole new pitching staff to get to know and work with. This time he will have Molina, who is a special assistant to John Mozeliak, available to him during Spring Training and beyond.
Despite intense drama, Contreras was one of the brightest spots for the Cardinals in 2023. He hit .264/.358/.467 with an OPS of .826. He scored 27 doubles, 20 home runs, 55 runs, and 67 RBIs.
If Contreras can build upon his work in 2023 and make the improvements expected from working with Molina and the new staff, he should be a key to the Cardinals' success in 2024.
Lars Nootbaar could define the Cardinals' direction in 2024
Since last year, Lars Nootbaar has gained international star status since his time with Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic and being named GQ Japan's Man of the Year.
In 2023 Nootbaar hit .261/.367/.418 with an OPS of .784. He scored 23 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 74 runs, and 46 RBI.
It will be fun to watch how this carries over to 2024. He's earned favored status amongst the fans, teammates, and management. After bouncing to different positions in the outfield and lineup, he has secured the left-field spot of defense and a lead-off position. While he fell victim to injury, like much of the team in 2023, he has worked this offseason to improve at the plate.
As long as Nootbaar stays healthy, he will be essential to the Cardinals' success in 2024.
Lance Lynn could define the Cardinals' direction in 2024
Lynn returned to the Cardinals for his prowess in throwing strikes over multiple innings. This is something the Cardinals desperately need after a disastrous 2023 in which the bullpen became over-extended thanks to numerous issues regarding the starting rotation - most of which involved injuries.
Having a starter they can depend on going multiple innings will be refreshing.
Lynn also has a personality that is desperately needed to act as a big brother for a young, quiet staff uncertain of their fit with a team trying to find itself. He is a bulldog, a fighter, and knows the Cardinal Way and what's expected.
While Lynn didn't perform well during his time between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers, it should be good for Lynn to come back home and play in front of a fanbase that does love him. He'll be in the comfort of a system he grew up in, around players and coaches with whom he has friendships already. If the Cardinals get precisely what they're hoping from Lynn, this should be a crucial key to their success in 2024.
Nolan Arenado could define the Cardinals' direction in 2024
Arenado was no different than his teammates in the ebbs and flows he contended with in 2023. He arguably had the worst season of his career for the Cardinals.
When Arenado has not met his hitting expectations in the past, it has served as an incentive for a huge breakout at the plate in the next season. In 2023, Arenado suffered through back pain for most of the season, even ending his season early by landing on the injured list.
Last season, he slashed .266/.315/.459 with an OPS of .774. He scored 26 doubles, two triples, 26 home runs, 71 runs scored, and 93 RBIs. This off-season, he's worked to heal his ailment and improve at the plate in addition to his usual fielding work. Arenado should have a substantial chip on his shoulder to get him far into the 2024 season and back to performing as fans have expected.
If Arenado gets back in his regular flow, his success will be a crucial element to how the Cardinals do this summer.
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