Three moves the Cardinals could have made last offseason to prevent this disaster

1. Sign Nathan Eovaldi

In the end, it was smart to pass on Jacob deGrom and Carlos Rodon, as they both dealt with injury-plagued seasons. Justin Verlander would have been a good fit, but there was another option available that could have really helped the Cardinals.

Nathan Eovaldi was signed by the Rangers to a two-year, $34 million deal, and he certainly didn't disappoint in his first year in Texas. He was limited to 25 starts this year due to a forearm strain, but his stats were still quite impressive. He won 12 games and posted a 3.63 ERA.

Eovaldi also has great postseason experience, which was on display in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Orioles when he pitched seven innings and struck out seven batters while allowing just one run. Eovaldi is the kind of pitcher that could have really transformed this rotation.

While he isn't necessarily an ace, he was affordable, and he's someone that a team can trust in a big game with the season on the line. Instead, the Cardinals passed and let Eovaldi sign in Texas. Eovaldi and The Rangers are now headed to the ALCS for the first time since 2011. Two years and $34 million was well within the Cardinals' so-called "price range."

2. Trade for Pablo Lopez

This was another opportunity that the Cardinals let pass. Pablo Lopez was of interest to them and the Cardinals had reportedly discussed a deal with the Marlins. While the asking price is unknown, it was deemed too high for the Cardinals.

This of course was back when Tyler O'Neill, Juan Yepez, and Dylan Carlson had some decent trade value. We don't know if this is what the Marlins were seeking, but the Cardinals had a chance to clear up their outfield logjam.

And per usual, St. Louis kept preaching faith in the same outfielders who continue to disappoint at the big-league level. Lopez was subsequently traded to the Twins for Luis Arraez.

The Twins season came to an end in the ALDS when they lost in Game 4 to the Astros. But Lopez pitched a seven-inning gem in Game 2 to even the series and give the Twins a chance to upset the defending champions.

Lopez fanned seven batters, scattered six hits, and allowed just one walk while holding the Astros scoreless through his seven innings of work. The Cardinals could have made a move to acquire him and fortify the rotation.

3. Let Adam Wainwright walk/retire

I think all of us are elated that Adam Wainwright got his 200th win. He deserved it. He's pitched for a long time and has been one of the greatest players to ever wear the Birds on the Bat. But his collapse in September last year raised concerns.

Wainwright's velocity dipped dramatically, and he ultimately did not pitch in the Wild Card Series against the Phillies. The Cardinals committed $17.5 million to him, only for him to go 5-11 with an ERA of 7.40 and land on the injured list twice.

It would have been smarter for the Cardinals to not invest in bringing him back and instead look to acquire better and younger starters. Cardinals fans will always love Wainwright and appreciate what he did for the organization and the St. Louis community. That will never go unnoticed. He truly is a great human being with a big heart.

But bringing him back ultimately stopped the Cardinals from going out and adding more starting pitchers. As a result, the rotation faltered, and the Cardinals now find themselves on the outside looking in instead of competing for a championship.