3 star free agents Cardinals can sign when the lockout ends
By Mark Powell
Cardinals could sign Nolan Arenado’s former teammate
The Cardinals simply cannot be confident at shortstop with only Paul DeJong and Edmundo Sosa as their options. DeJong is two years removed from an All-Star appearance, but faced a major dropoff in 2021 and hit under the Mendoza line. Sosa, meanwhile, is formidable at the position — but doesn’t provide the sort of stability that a Trevor Story would.
Story is coming off a down year — he slashed just .251/.329/.471 and failed to make the NL All-Star team, and has to prove he can hit away from Coors Field just as Arenado did. The suggestion that the high altitude aided Story’s power numbers is unfair, but it’s a narrative that’s been proven true enough times in players of a similar ilk. Because of both these factors, Story’s price will not be as high as other shortstops on the market, such as Carlos Correa or the newly-signed Corey Seager.
The 29-year-old would be more inclined to sign a prove-it deal than any other elite shortstop on the market. He’s a capable defender, has familiarity with Arenado and can hit to all fields. The Cardinals need to make a splash, especially after the rival Cubs signed Marcus Stroman. Story can be that splash.