Future Cardinals squads require strategic reinforcement, according to the Cardinals' announcer, as he identifies areas that need improvement.
St. Louis Cardinals Seek to Address Lack of Leadership
The St. Louis Cardinals, a team known for its rich history and strong baseball tradition, have been grappling with a significant issue: a lack of veteran leadership in their clubhouse. This has been particularly evident in the development and stability of their younger players.
Nolan Arenado, one of the team's key veterans, urged management to bring in experienced veterans as mentors and "firestarters" to guide the team. This led to the signing of Brandon Crawford and Matt Carpenter, both close friends of Arenado, expected to provide the tough, veteran leadership the team was missing. However, this strategy did not yield the desired results, as both Arenado and Goldschmidt, the primary veterans, were not very outgoing leaders, and Crawford and Carpenter’s impact was limited.
The current trajectory under new leadership favors rebuilding and promoting internal, younger talent over relying on veteran leaders. This shift is evident in the potential moves to cut ties with high-priced veterans like Arenado, who may no longer be seen as beneficial to the team's leadership development or competitive future. The organization is even predicted to trade Arenado to promote internal growth and make room for younger players.
The team has been active in moving some veteran pitchers with expiring contracts at the 2022 trade deadline, further supporting a shift toward youth and a new team direction. This approach contrasts with previous attempts to add veterans specifically for leadership.
Willson Contreras, despite not playing as a catcher, has an energetic personality and sets an example for young players like Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II. His hard-playing style, vocal support for his teammates, and strong offensive performance this season have earned him respect among his peers.
Brendan Donovan is part of the group of veterans supposed to lead the way for prospects and ease their transition into the big leagues. The speaker believes the current Cardinals roster has the foundation to build around with more pieces.
Chip Caray, the FanDuel Sports Midwest Cardinals play-by-play announcer, believes that the team needs to bring in veteran leadership to help the team during the transition period. He cites Nick Markakis as an example of a player who provided leadership and set a positive tone for the Atlanta Braves from 2015 until the end of his career in 2020. Caray believes that the current Cardinals team is missing the leadership and tone-setting presence that Markakis provided for the Braves.
As the Cardinals continue to navigate this period of change, the answers to their struggles are not always clear. However, one thing is certain: the team is committed to finding a solution to their leadership void and setting the stage for a successful future.
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The St. Louis Cardinals may consider acquiring experienced players in MLB, hoping to bolster their leadership, as highlighted by Nolan Arenado's calls for mentors. Alternatively, the team could focus on nurturing internal, younger talent, such as Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan, who display leadership qualities in their own ways.
