7 bold predictions about the St. Louis Cardinals 2023 season

Prediction #1 - Dylan Carlson becomes the clear fourth outfielder

Some may think this isn't that bold and trust me, these predictions get a lot bolder, but Dylan Carlson becoming the clear fourth outfielder would be a big shift from where we are today.

Carlson has put together a really nice Spring Training so far after working hard this offseason to put on some muscle and compete for an everyday role. After struggling with injuries last season and struggling heavily against right-handed pitching, it was a real question as to whether or not he would be able to have a starting role with the club if Jordan Walker was ready to go.

For as much buzz as Walker, Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, and Nolan Gorman have gotten for their Spring Training performances, Carlson is fifth on the team with a .812 OPS. Many doubted him coming into the spring, but he has done nothing but impress to this point.

Still, with how Tyler O'Neill and Lars Nootbaar performed at the World Baseball Classic and how Walker has taken over this spring, I think it's likely those three get the nod come Opening Day, and by midseason, have the starting outfield spots locked down between the three of them.

This doesn't mean Carlson does not have a role with the club, as I showed in my playing time article posted last week. What it does mean for Carlson though is he becomes a little more expendable for the club, something that will rear its head at the trade deadline.

Prediction #2 - Cardinals trade for a front-line stater at the deadline

This prediction has one main catch to it: there's got to be a front-line starter available in trade for this to happen.

If you look across baseball at teams you'd expect to be sellers at this year's deadline, there are not really any "aces" on their rosters that would be available for trade. It will likely take a disappointing season from a team like the White Sox, Rays, Diamondbacks, Guardians, or someone else for an ace to be available via trade.

Should one become available though, the Cardinals will be first in line, and I have confidence they'll get a deal done.

The Cardinals have plenty of assets that they could expend in a deal this season, more so than about any contender in baseball. They can do so by sending both Major League-ready talent and top prospects, making their packages really enticing for a team that'll be looking to retool. My guess is that Carlson would find his name in this deal, with a few other names joining him in that deal.

St. Louis is ready to make a deep run in October, and they can cash chips in without jeopardizing their future. The worst thing they could do would be trade just to make a trade, but I have a feeling John Mozeliak and company are waiting for that star pitching talent to become available before striking a deal.

Prediction #3 - Masyn Winn is the starting shortstop by the end of the 2023 season

I have been thoroughly impressed by Masyn Winn this spring. So much so, that I believe he will take over as the starting shortstop by the season's end.

Not because of anything Tommy Edman, Nolan Gorman, or Brendan Donovan have or haven't done, but because of how good Winn is.

In 54 at-bats this spring, Winn has a .949 OPS, looking like a game-changing talent at the plate, on the basepaths, and at the shortstop position. Winn will begin the year in Triple-A Memphis, but it won't be long before he busts down the door for playing time in St. Louis.

Honestly, I'm not sure how it'll work out exactly, but my guess is this causes Edman to slide over to second base, Donovan to truly settle into a utility man role, and Gorman will mainly DH but also slide in at second or third when needed. Should the Cardinals deal Carlson or some of their other young bats for pitching midseason, opportunities for playing time will open up significantly, allowing Winn to take the shortstop position and never look back.

Winn was just compared to Francisco Lindor this week, and that kind of talent cannot be suppressed, even by the quality of infielders the Cardinals currently have. Come October, Winn will have cemented himself in the Cardinals lineup, probably batting 8th or 9th, proving to be an electric talent in all phases of the game.

Prediction #4 - Jordan Walker wins Rookie of the Year and receives MVP votes

Everyone knew I was going to have some kind of prediction about Jordan Walker. It's safe to say I see Walker being a huge success during his rookie season with St. Louis.

First of all, this is a prediction, not an expectation for the 20-year-old. Everything Walker gives the club this year is icing on the cake, and there could be no reason to place too much pressure on him. This is me saying that based on everything I've seen so far, I'm trusting that his talent and maturity will continue to blow all of our expectations away.

I would be shocked if Walker does not begin the year in St. Louis, and I would imagine he likely starts out hitting lower in the Cardinals' order, with the club leaning on their established talent to win games for them and letting Walker earn his way into a larger role. I do believe he will do enough to not only win Rookie of the Year honors but also receive some MVP votes.

Mini-prediction in here, I'd be shocked if one of Walker, Nootbaar, or O'Neill doesn't receive any MVP votes. I am extremely high on this Cardinals' offense this year, and I could easily see one of those three joining Arenado and Goldschmidt with receiving votes. But my bet is Walker, who by season's end, I see as their two-hole hitter and having a Julio Rodriguez-like rise within the national media.

In all honestly, MVP votes aren't that crazy to come by. Last season, Yandy Diaz and Sean Murphy received votes in the American League, and the likes of Jeff McNeil, Daniel Bard, and Starling Marte got votes in the National League. I'm not predicting Walker even finishes top 10 in that voting, but I am saying I believe he finds a vote or two this year.

Prediction #5 - Nolan Arenado wins National League Most Valuable Player

After an offseason full of questions about why he would opt into the rest of his contract with the Cardinals, Arenado already seems like a man on a mission during the WBC, readying himself for an MVP campaign in 2023.

Arenado finished third in MVP voting in 2022, slashing .293/.358/.533 with 30 HR and 103 RBI while playing Gold Glove defense at third base once again. Now with even more firepower in the Cardinals lineup this year, I expect his number to go up even more as he leads the team to a division title and in the conversation with the best teams in the NL. He will come into the season with so many chips on his shoulder, and that will play in his favor.

For all of the star talent on this Cardinals club, this is the year that Arenado takes the reigns as the club's leader, and helps usher in this next era of Cardinals baseball. Arenado will be the guy in the clubhouse that guys like Walker, Winn, and other young players who are coming up will look to for leadership and guidance in the mid-2020s.

He'll have stiff competition this year, with guys like Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Trea Turner, Fernando Tatis Jr., Pete Alonso, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and reigning MVP Goldschmidt all fighting for that crown. But I believe this is Arenado's year.

Prediction #6 - Cardinals will have six All-Stars this year.

Last year, the Yankees, Dodgers, and Braves all had six representatives at the All-Star game. This year, the Cardinals will be a part of that conversation.

Yes, that's a very big number. Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Ryan Helsley all seem like locks to me. So that's four already. Tommy Edman, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, Lars Nootbaar, Tyler O'Neill, Jordan Walker, and Miles Mikolas all have the potential to be members of that team as well. Would it really shock you if six of those eleven players made the All-Star team, including when you have injury replacements added to the roster?

It helps that so many of those guys are going to have major fanfare as well. Nootbaar is becoming an international star with Team Japan. Walker will surely create a ton of buzz if he performances like I think he will. It's really not that difficult to see how six of them make the team.

You might be picking up on the fact that I am very positive about this Cardinals team, which leads me to my final bold prediction.

Prediction #7 - The Cardinals will win the World Series

Yup. I said it. The Cardinals will win the World Series in 2023.

This team has so much going for it. The offense is elite. And it has the depth to overcome injuries, slumps, down seasons, you name it. This club has a quality rotation and a sneaky good bullpen and has plenty of assets to upgrade either or both of them as the season goes on. I am confident that the Cardinals will be very aggressive this deadline, adding a major piece to an already exciting club.

On top of all of that, this team has that "it" factor that is needed to go on a deep run in October.

Two MVP talents in Goldschmidt and Arenado. Rising stars like Walker, Gorman, Nootbaar, Donovan, and Winn. New addition Contreras will get underneath the skin of opposing teams and fire up this club. Wainwright's farewell season. I didn't even mention the likes of O'Neill, Edman, Mikolas, Montgomery, and Helsley.

This team just feels like one of those magical teams full of great ballplayers and memorable personalities. They are the perfect mix of prime, All-Star-level talent, and young, up-and-coming stars. And I think the front office knows it.

Manager Oli Marmol was the perfect hire for this Cardinals organization, and I believe he will push this team to the greatest heights this season. It will be a tough road, and they will for sure need to be aggressive in acquiring more pitching, but I believe in this club, so much so that I am picking them to win it all this year.

What did you think of my predictions? What are some of your bold takes? Let us know down below. I cannot wait to see this team in action.