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

Here we are again rehashing the disaster that was the 2023 Cardinals season. There's no way around the fact that the 2023 season was a complete and utter failure on so many levels.

The most frustrating aspect about all of this is that it was so preventable. The Cardinals front office shouldn't be surprised by this. There were plenty of opportunities for them to add pitching and fortify the starting rotation, yet they were all passed up.

Now, we're left waiting for them to have their end-of-season press conference and admit their mistakes, and that press conference has already been postponed. However, there would be no need to admit failure if pitching was added.

Again, this is what is most frustrating about the whole fiasco is how easily it could have been avoided. But the Cardinals were too set in their ways to spend the money necessary or trade the necessary prospects to add starting pitching.

Somehow, some way, they were satisfied with a starting rotation that featured Miles Mikolas, Jordan Montgomery, an oft-injured Steven Matz, a worn-down Adam Wainwright, and an inconsistent Jack Flaherty.

There were starters aplenty available on the trade and free agent markets, starters that were also quite affordable. But St. Louis passed on all of them, and a 71-91 season which sank them to last place in the NL Central was the result of such a failure.

In this piece, we will discuss three moves the Cardinals could have and should have made to prevent this disaster.

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.