Team was exploring major deal involving power hitter before their team's rebuilding phase
The St. Louis Cardinals have been searching for a true heart-of-the-order hitter since 2022, and one name that has often been linked to this role is Brent Rooker. The powerful slugger, who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics, was a player the Cardinals considered as a potential tent-pole hitter.
Rooker, a late bloomer in baseball, did not see regular playing time until 2023. That year, he impressed with the Athletics, earning a spot in the All-Star Game. His performance in the 2024 season was even more impressive, as he finished the year with a .293/.365/.562 slash line, 39 home runs, and 112 RBIs. This earned him a 164 wRC+, a significant boost to any team's offense.
In November 2024, a proposed blockbuster trade involving Rooker and the Cardinals was discussed. The deal, which would have sent second baseman Nolan Gorman, designated hitter/outfielder Alec Burleson, and pitching prospect Tekoah Roby to the Athletics, almost materialized. However, Rooker's impressive performance caught the attention of the Athletics, who offered him a five-year extension valued at $60 million. This extension essentially ended the Cardinals' pursuit since it made Rooker unavailable via trade.
The Cardinals, a mid-market franchise, are looking to develop power hitters internally rather than spending heavily in free agency. Despite this, the lack of a true power hitter has been a noticeable gap in their offense. Players like Alec Burleson and Willson Contreras have filled in, but they lack the same power threat that Rooker provides.
Rooker's 142 wRC+ since 2023 ranks eleventh in the league, and his highest single-season wRC+ is currently 164, achieved in 2024. This puts him in a league of his own when it comes to offensive production. Paul Goldschmidt holds the record for the highest wRC+ in a full season for the Cardinals, with a 122 wRC+ in 2023.
If the Cardinals want to improve their offensive performance, they may need to consider acquiring a true power hitter like Rooker. The team, despite having good-not-great hitters, could see growth and a higher ceiling if they find a star to pair with their current players. The Cardinals' pursuit of Rooker serves as a reminder of the team's ongoing search for a consistent power hitter to bolster their lineup.
References: 1. [Link to Reference 1] 2. [Link to Reference 2]
- The Cardinals' pursuit of Brent Rooker, a prominent power hitter with impressive statistics in MLB, highlights their ongoing search for a consistent slugger to strengthen their lineup.
- Despite Rooker's match-winning potential, his five-year extension with the Oakland Athletics has made him unavailable for trade, leaving the Cardinals seeking alternative sources to fill the heart-of-the-order hitter void in their offense.
