Revise Strategy: Cardinals Ought to Emulate Cubs' Tactics During Offseason from Their Playbook
Here's a fresh, revised take on the article:
Let's dive into the world of baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals. Could this team stand to learn a thing or two from the Chicago Cubs' offseason moves? As we see the Redbirds' resurgent season unfolding, they might want to consider a bold move to solidify their roster like the Cubs did last time around.
The Cubs went all-in heading into offseason, showing aggression that was uncommon in the baseball realm. They didn't dive into the Juan Soto sweepstakes due to that hefty price tag, but they got inventive in pursuing a superstar through trade.
On December 13th, the Cubs struck a blockbuster deal with the Houston Astros. In the exchange, they gave up Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski, and the 2024 first-round pick Cam Smith — all to acquire Cubs MVP caliber outfielder Kyle Tucker. This was a hefty price to pay, but it's paid off big-time, launching Chicago into contention for the World Series this year.
Could the Cardinals follow a similar path? Their roster is well-positioned to take a similar jump if things keep trending in the right direction.
The Cardinals should follow the Cubs' lead and swap for a superstar this offseason
The Cardinals aren't strangers to similar forms of aggressiveness during offseasons. They've made trades like the ones for Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado to strengthen their offense, but these were unique situations that allowed St. Louis to nab superstars for a steal toward the end of their peak years.
Trading for a player like Tucker is more similar to the trades they made for Jason Heyward and Marcell Ozuna in the 2010s. The Cardinals gave up their top pitching prospect, Shelby Miller, for Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden. Heyward had a career year with the Cardinals in 2015 and demonstrated his offensive upside during the second half of that season.
After the 2017 season, the Cardinals grabbed young Marlins slugger Marcell Ozuna (after Giancarlo Stanton vetoed a trade earlier in the offseason) in exchange for prospects Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, Magneuris Sierra, and Daniel Castano. Ozuna struggled in St. Louis, but his bat has since bloomed since leaving the club.
Now, Tucker has been a game-changer in the Cubs' lineup, with a .277/.385/.518 slash, 12 home runs, and 39 RBI. This has resulted in a 149 wRC+ and 2.4 fWAR season as we close May. Tucker's been a standout player for years, and his bat has completely revitalized the Cubs' offense.
Following a middling offensive season in 2021, the Cubs now rank among the baseball elite in wRC+, batting average, slugging percentage, runs scored, offensive fWAR, and wOBA. This isn't solely because of Tucker's addition, but his trade has coincided with the development of other talent.
The Cubs currently have five bats with a 132 wRC+ or higher, including Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, and yes, former Cardinal Carson Kelly. But what sets their lineup apart is that these five stars are joined by five more league-average — or better — bats, giving them an extremely tough lineup to face.
Turning our attention to the Cardinals' lineup this year, the team boasts two elite hitters in Ivan Herrera and Brendan Donovan, along with solid producers alongside them so far in Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn. Willson Contreras is on track to finish the year near these names, but currently sits with a 98 wRC+. Bats like Alec Burleson, Nolan Arenado, and Victor Scott II lengthen the lineup and have room to contribute more as the season progresses.
As a team, the Cardinals rank among baseball's top 10 in wRC+, batting average, on-base percentage, wOBA, runs, and offensive fWAR. However, they're a tier below the Cubs right now. This could be due, in part, to the Kyle Tucker effect. With a power-packed bat like Tucker, the Cardinals simply don't have that x-factor in their lineup.
To fill this void, the Cardinals may need to trade for a superstar-caliber player like Tucker. As it stands, it's unlikely they'll sign a player of that caliber until MLB makes changes to the CBA to level the financial playing field. But, if an opportunity arises, the Cardinals should be aggressive in seeking to add such an impact player to their lineup, as it could push them into top-tier offensive territory.
On a personal note, I've been keeping my eyes on a potential trade candidate for the Cardinals – Rafael Devers. Although it's uncertain if he'll become available or if the Cardinals would pursue this, his skills could give the team the boost they need.
Currently in the third year of a ten-year, $313 million contract, Devers, like Tucker, is the same age. Despite ongoing controversy surrounding his refusal to change positions, Devers is having a strong offensive year, with a .291/.413/.523 slash, 12 home runs, 52 RBI, and a 159 wRC+. Acquiring Devers would cost a lot, but considering his hefty contract, it's a price the Cardinals might be willing to pay if they're serious about making a splash.
Imagine Devers in the Cardinals' lineup:
- LF Lars Nootbaar
- SS Masyn Winn
- 3B Rafael Devers
- 1B Willson Contreras
- DH Ivan Herrera
- 2B Brendan Donovan
- RF Jordan Walker/Alec Burleson
- C Pedro Pages
- CF Victor Scott II
With this lineup, the Cardinals would transform into one of the deadliest offensive teams in baseball.
It's still early in the season, so I'm not suggesting that the Cardinals will trade for Devers. I'm well aware that dealing for him means figuring out Arenado's contract. I get it. But this is just a discussion about the potential impact a player of Devers' caliber could have on the Cardinals' offense, and what it would take to make such a deal work.
In conclusion, the Cardinals' lineup has the pieces to compete with the best in baseball. If they're truly committed to winning and go out and get that top-tier bat to add to their roster, they could rival the Cubs in terms of offensive prowess. It's a lofty goal, but one that could pay off dividends if the Cardinals are willing to take the risk.
(Source: Baseball Prospectus, ESPN, MLB.com)
The Cardinals could emulate the Cubs' offseason strategy and venture into a blockbuster trade for a superstar like Rafael Devers, who, with his impressive offensive statistics, could bolster their lineup significantly. Such a move could propel the Cardinals into the top tier of offensive teams in baseball, rivaling the Cubs' offensive prowess.
If the Cardinals successfully acquire Devers, they would construct a formidable lineup featuring Devers at third base, Willson Contreras at first base, Ivan Herrera at designated hitter, Brendan Donovan at second base, and Lars Nootbaar in left field, among others. This lineup reconfiguration could position the Cardinals as one of the deadliest offensive teams in baseball.
