End of an era: Three questions for the Cardinals after wild-card sweep

  • Sports reporter, Kansas City Star, 2002-09
  • Writer, Baseball, Baseball Prospectus
  • Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus
  • Member, Baseball Writers Association of America
  • Member, Professional Basketball Writers Association

It was a magical last hurrah for Albert Pujols, and his regular-season farewell — as part of an all-time St. Louis Cardinals trio that also includes Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright — was a slice of “baseball heaven.”

Ultimately, the final campaign for Pujols and Molina (and possibly Wainwright) didn’t end with a World Series title, but a wild-card series sweep. Now, as an era comes to a close in St. Louis, what does the future hold?

Here’s a look at the team’s notable free agents, trade candidates — and three key questions facing the Cardinals for 2023 and beyond.

St. Louis Cardinals

Notable free agents: 3B Nolan Arenado (option), SP Wainwright, SP Jose Quintana, OF Corey Dickerson

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Arenado is addressed below. It’ll also be interesting to see if the Cardinals make an aggressive play for Quintana, who was such a good fit for their run-prevention design. As for Wainwright, it’s all but impossible to believe that if he pitches in 2023 it would be for anyone but the Cardinals.

Trade candidates: OF Tyler O’Neill, SP Jack Flaherty, SS Paul DeJong, 2B Nolan Gorman

Starting with DeJong, this is strictly a thought for change of scenery, as he has continued to look lost at the plate and at this point, maybe some new voices in his head is what he needs. The return for him would be modest, one would think. Flaherty has struggled with health but trended up toward the end of the season and is still young enough that it’s hard not to wonder if he can still become an ace. He has entered his final season of arbitration eligibility and so it’s decision time for the Cardinals. O’Neill had a poor 2022 season in terms of production and health, but is still just one season removed from a career season. The Cardinals have good outfield depth and O’Neill is nearing the latter seasons of his arbitration window. Gorman has already flashed big-league-worthy power with a ton of swing-and-miss in his game, which got him demoted late in the season. The Cardinals have prospects Masyn Winn and Jordan Walker looming, and have Brendan Donovan and Tommy Edman already on the big league roster. If they dealt Gorman, they’d be dealing from a position of strength.

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