3 players for St. Louis Cardinals to target this offseason

The St. Louis Cardinals will be right there again in the end next season.

Considering that they have not had a record below .500 since 2007, it would be a shock if that was not the case. That was also the only time the Cardinals have been below .500 in the 21st century, an impressive run for any team. As the NL Central is in a relative state of flux, it should be expected that the Cardinals will be contending for the postseason again in 2023.

Three players for St. Louis Cardinals to target

But the Cardinals are in a state of flux as well. Franchise legends Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols have retired, the latter having been brought back on a farewell tour. Adam Wainwright is set to retire after next year. The old guard is making way for a new core headed by Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. But they will need some help as there are several holes in the roster.

The St. Louis Cardinals are still likely to be the class of the NL Central despite their flaws. Let’s look at three players to target this offseason.

Sean Murphy

Following in Molina’s footsteps is not going to be easy.

Yes, the St, Louis Cardinals have a veteran pitching staff and do not need their hands to be held throughout the game. But it is a matter of Molina’s trust and respect from the pitching staff behind the plate, his leadership in the clubhouse, and what he meant to the organization. That, more than anything else, is what the Cardinals will be looking for.

Such an option could be available on the trade market. It is a matter of time before the A’s trade Sean Murphy this offseason, and while there will be plenty of teams interested in his services, he would be exactly what the Cardinals need.

He would certainly be an upgrade in the lineup. Murphy had a breakout campaign in 2022, posting a .250/.332/.426 batting line with 18 homers and 37 doubles in his 612 plate appearances while improving his strikeout and walk rates. Add in his Gold Glove caliber defense behind the plate and his own leadership skills and he could be the perfect option to follow Molina.

No one is going to replace what Yadier Molina meant to the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Sean Murphy could still be an upgrade in the lineup.

Adam Kolarek

The St. Louis Cardinals need another left handed reliever.

Zack Thompson was easily the Cardinals best left handed option coming out of the bullpen last season, generating plenty of grounders en route to a 2.08 ERA and a 0.981 WHiP over his 34.2 innings. He is also the only left handed reliever on the Cardinals’ depth chart currently, although the likes of Packy Naughton and Jojo Romero could get an opportunity.

This is also an area that the Cardinals should look for some competition. One possible option would be Adam Kolarek, another groundball generating lefty who could be a perfect fit with the Cardinals’ stellar infield defense.

He would not be an exciting signing. Kolarek posted a 4.58 ERA and a 1.585 WHiP in his 17.2 innings, striking out nine batters with eight walks. And it speaks volumes that the pitching needy A’s outrighted him off of their 40 man roster in June. But Kolarek also has a 62.9% ground ball rate in the majors thus far in his career and had a great deal of success during his time with the Dodgers. Although he would not be an exciting move, he would be the type of player that the Cardinals typically find success with.

The St. Louis Cardinals need to find a left handed reliever. Adam Kolarek would be well worth a look on a low cost deal.