10 MLB moves that still need to happen this winter

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 20: Atlanta Braves Third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) takes the field during the MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco on September 20, 2019 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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The Chicago Cubs’ Nicholas Castellanos celebrates with teammate Victor Caratini (7) after scoring off a sacrifice fly by Kyle Schwarber during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wednesday Sept. 18, 2019. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) /

St. Louis Cardinals: Sign Nicholas Castellanos

One of the two top remaining free-agent outfielders, Marcell Ozuna, played for the Cardinals last year, but he is not the one they should be focusing their attention on.

Ozuna had an inconsistent two years in St. Louis and, despite his expressed desire to remain with the Cardinals, is not worth the risk. The Cardinals are still paying off their bad investment in Dexter Fowler.

The Cardinals enter the 2020 season with Fowler, Harrison Bader and Tyler O’Neill as their starting outfield. That trio combined to hit an ugly .229/.329/.393 with 36 home runs last year. That type of production from an outfield is not going to cut it if the Cards are going to repeat their surprise run to the NL Central title last year. None of the three outfielders currently penciled in as starters for St. Louis can be expected to produce much higher than a fourth outfielder on a good team.

There has been little movement on the free-agent market for right fielder Nicholas Castellanos, who is coming off a career year. The 27-year-old hit .289/.337/.525 last year with an MLB-leading 58 doubles, three triples, 27 home runs and 73 RBI. In 51 games with the Chicago Cubs after the deadline, he hit .321/.356/.646 with 16 home runs and 36 RBI.

Freed of playing for a loser in Detroit, Castellanos came alive and clearly enjoyed his being in the thick of a pennant race.

Despite the flaws in his approach at the plate, Castellanos has been one of the more consistent outfielders over the last four years, hitting .286/.336/.504 with an average of 41 doubles, 24 home runs and 80 RBI per year. His personality should be received well by the passionate St. Louis fans.

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