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St. Louis Cardinals: 3 free agents to sign and 1 to avoid

By Steven Kubitza

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 08: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park on September 8, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Red Sox won 5-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 08: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park on September 8, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Red Sox won 5-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Michael Brantley, Houston Astros
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images /

1. Michael Brantley

Michael Brantley is one of the more reliable players available this offseason. His only problem earlier in his career was staying healthy with the Cleveland Indians. Then he joined the Houston Astros in 2019 and became an everyday player.

Brantley posted a 6.3 WAR in 194 games with the Astros and slashed .309/.370/.497 in that span. He is a player who never causes drama and only excites fans with his consistent play.

The veteran was just on a two-year deal with the Astros. The Cardinals can target the same type of deal to get a proven player in left field. Not shelling out huge money for someone like Realmuto makes this even more realistic.

The Cardinals got rid of Marcell Ozuna in 2020 and he proceeded to lead the league in both home runs and RBIs with the Atlanta Braves. Signing Brantley allows the team to get a reliable presence in place while younger players in the system continue to develop.

This signing is another one where it doesn’t downplay the potential already on the roster. This is about chasing a World Series in 2020 and taking advantage of a down market this offseason to snag real talent for cheap.

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