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St. Louis Cardinals hopes at shortstop rest on Paul DeJong rebound

By Kevin Henry

Sep 25, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong (11) hits a sacrifice fly ball during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong (11) hits a sacrifice fly ball during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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CARLSBAD, Calif. — In an offseason where free agent shortstops seem to be all of the rage, St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak believes his team has exactly what is needed at the position.

Here’s why a healthy Paul DeJong could be a key for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022

Part of the belief in a better 2022 for the St. Louis Cardinals is having Paul DeJong back in the lineup this season … and hopefully having a full season of a healthy DeJong as another hitter in the heart of the St. Louis order. After suffering a fractured rib last season and going on the injured list on May 14, DeJong missed almost a month of action. When he returned, he slashed just .212/.280/.397 after the All-Star break and finished the year with a .197/.284/.390 slash line overall.

“After he broke his rib, I just don’t think he ever got on track,” Mozeliak said on Wednesday at the Major League Baseball GM meetings being held at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. “In fairness to him, he’s not getting a fair shake considering what he’s done in the past.”

That past includes a 2017 rookie season where he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting and an All-Star appearance in 2019.

There are plenty of reasons why Mozeliak feels confident with his infield heading into next season, especially with Tommy Edman grabbing a Gold Glove while taking hold of second base in St. Louis. With Nolan Arenado at third and Paul Goldschmidt at first, if DeJong can return to his hitting ways, the Cardinals seem to have their infield set.

Edmundo Sosa is also returning after his first expanded playing time in 2021, logging 71 games at shortstop. Between DeJong’s return and a year of maturation from the 25-year-old Sosa, it’s easy to see why St. Louis is focused more on acquiring pitching than position players this offseason.

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St. Louis is banking on a DeJong rebound in 2022. If that happens, the Cardinals could be even stronger as they look to defend their National League Central crown.

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