MLB Power Rankings: Post Winter Meetings

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: Giancarlo Stanton is introduced as a member of the New York Yankees during the 2017 Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort on Monday, December 11, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 01: Marcell Ozuna #13 of the Miami Marlins hits a home run during the seventh inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /

10. St. Louis Cardinals

After failing to convince Giancarlo Stanton to accept a trade, the St. Louis Cardinals moved quickly to help speed up the looting of the Miami Marlins. All-Star left fielder Marcell Ozuna will probably never hit 59 home runs, but he is coming off the best season of his career and gives the Cardinals the power bat they have desperately needed since the departure of Albert Pujols and the end of Matt Holliday’s prime.

With Ozuna in tow, the Cardinals have not let up on their attempts to acquire either Manny Machado or Josh Donaldson to play third base. Toronto is refusing to move their All-Star third baseman for now, but Baltimore is another case. The Orioles don’t have much choice but to get a trade done.

The Cardinals and Orioles match up well for a potential Machado swap. St. Louis has the young pitching that Baltimore desperately covets. Any one of Luke Weaver, Alex Reyes or Jack Flaherty could headline a package going back to the Orioles. The Cardinals are smarter than that, however. They know Machado is a pure rental. Trading for him and convincing him to stay in St. Louis as they did with Holliday is a much longer shot.

Even if the Cardinals are unable to pull off a trade for Machado or Donaldson, they have had a very good offseason so far. Ozuna completes a lineup that was sorely lacking power last year. The Cardinals still nearly made the playoffs with their offensive deficiencies and bring back a strong rotation. Full seasons from breakout stars Paul DeJong and Tommy Pham will also help.

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