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Cardinals: 3 glaring roster holes keeping St. Louis from World Series contention

By Miranda Remaklus

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 20: Manager Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on during batting practice prior to the game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on April 20, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 20: Manager Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on during batting practice prior to the game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on April 20, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – APRIL 25: Brendan Donovan #33 is congratulated by Corey Dickerson #25 of the St. Louis Cardinals after scoring a run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on April 25, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – APRIL 25: Brendan Donovan #33 is congratulated by Corey Dickerson #25 of the St. Louis Cardinals after scoring a run against the New York Mets during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on April 25, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /

Veteran utility player with proven bat

Each player on the Cardinals bench has a specific role.

Brenden Donovan is a speedy, backup second baseman who has been hitting well at Triple-A Memphis. He was brought up this week so that Lars Nootbaar could return to Memphis to get some consistent at-bats. He was helping with outfield backup and pinch-hitting.

Edmundo Sosa is the backup shortstop, second baseman, and third baseman. Albert Pujols is a designated hitter and backup first baseman. At 42, though, he’s no youngster on defense. So, it’s interesting to note, according to reporting from MLB,com’s John Denton, Donovan has been working on defensive skills at first base prior to Monday’s game. Corey Dickerson is a designated hitter and backup outfielder. Andrew Knizner is the backup catcher who has been seeing more time this season.

It would be good to have a dynamic, power-hitting option that could help with the outfield and corner infield – kind of like Kyle Schwarber or Joc Pederson. This could be what they hoped for with Dickerson, but it’s pretty early in the season to see if he is capable of this caliber performance.

With Nootbaar in Memphis and early struggles from Sosa and Dickerson, the need for a super-utility man feels humongous.

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