7 areas of investments the Cardinals must make this winter

The Top Prospects

As mentioned previously, it's not a great look for the organization to have two of their top prospects shuffled between St. Louis and AAA Memphis for the past couple of seasons. The Cardinals must do a better job of investing time in these prized prospects or risk looking like an organization no one wants to play for anymore.

Gorman and Walker have both struggled while playing for St. Louis but something seems to click while they are in Memphis. While the pitching they face is not at a big-league level, their approaches at the plate are different. It makes you question the big league coaching staff and wonder what the disconnect is between the players and coaches.

There is a disconnect. The difference in place is dramatic. Gorman is hitting better since going back to Memphis. It would be great to have that bat back with St. Louis, but the question of whether he will have the same swing when he returns looms.

Making a time commitment to Walker and Gorman to improve hitting should be made.

Center field

Victor Scott II was sent back to Memphis this week with a list of things to work on from Cardinals coach and center field great Willie McGee and third base coach Pop Warner.

To the disappointment of many, Scott was sent back to Memphis after Michael Siani returned from the injured list. While Siani was great for the Cardinals this season after Scott's slow start and Carlson's shoulder injury to start the season, it's easy to see why Marmol wanted to go with the guy who got the team along.

It's hard to ignore how good Scott was during his second stint with the team. It seemed to find himself a the plate and on the base path, while making some great plays in center field.

Paul Goldschmidt and First Base

Goldschmidt is in the final season of his current contract with the Cardinals. He isn't ready to retire. So, what does this mean for Goldschmidt and the Cardinals? This is an important question the organization will have to answer this offseason.

The Cardinals have several options and it will be interesting to see if Goldschmidt wants to remain with the Cardinals. If he does want to stay with the team, what it would take for him to stay with the club, and is it reasonable for the team? If the two part ways, it would be easier to see the club go with a more experienced first baseman such as one of the many free agents available this offseason, such as Pete Alonso.

If not, the Cardinals may opt to stay with an internal option and go with Alec Burleson as their everyday first baseman. Burleson seems to be a better outfielder and designated hitter.