3 free agents Cardinals will regret missing out on

Trevor Story

Despite the hopes of many Cardinals fans, Trevor Story coming to St. Louis to join former teammate and his best friend, Nolan Arenado, was never really in the cards. So to speak.

While Cardinal fans believed the team’s president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, was just blowing smoke saying the club wasn’t interested in signing Story, Mozeliak was serious. The club wants to give Paul DeJong another shot to keep the shortstop job he earned. Mozeliak believed the health issues from the 2020 and 2021 seasons were short-term and he would rebound.

According to Murray:

“The truth is, the Cardinals were never going to spend big on the shortstop position. Their biggest priority was signing an impact starter, which they added in Steven Matz, and add a few bullpen pieces. They accomplished their goals, even if the fanbase believes otherwise.”

Taking a gamble on DeJong with his team-friendly contract could pay off. Here’s hoping DeJong does have a bounce-back season. If not, Cardinals fans will be relentless in letting Mozeliak know he was wrong to not sign Story or one of the top shortstops available.

Knowing the talk of him being replaced at shortstop or traded away exists, DeJong has worked hard this offseason to prove the Cardinals were right in believing in him and allowing him the opportunity to remain the shortstop with so much potential.

Mozeliak seems to be done with offseason moves and would make a move at the trade deadline if necessary. Let’s hope for his sake that his gambles will be rewarded. He’s taking big chances that could land him on the hot seat – especially if the Cardinals fail to meet their championship goals for 2022.