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Cardinals: 3 players who won’t be on the roster past the trade deadline

By Tim Boyle

CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 22: Lars Nootbaar #21 of the St. Louis Cardinals walks back to the dugout after striking out in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 22, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 22: Lars Nootbaar #21 of the St. Louis Cardinals walks back to the dugout after striking out in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 22, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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St. Louis Cardinals
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JUNE 21: Ivan Herrera #47 of the St. Louis Cardinals during batting practice as the sun shines through the stadium panels before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on June 21, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Cardinals defeated the Brewers 6-2. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

2) Ivan Herrera will not be on the Cardinals roster past the trade deadline

Minus Yadier Molina, the Cardinals are using veteran backup Andrew Knizner and rookie Ivan Herrera behind the plate. Knizner has done enough to show he is a suitable backup while Herrera could probably use a little more seasoning in the minor leagues. He is only on the MLB roster because of the need to have someone else there. With so much uncertainty about Molina’s future, it’s important the Cardinals seek out an upgrade.

Adding a veteran catcher, even just a minor improvement over Knizner, should be on the to-do list. Guys like this are available all over the league. Even some Triple-A rosters surely have men capable of offering a little more at the plate.

Knizner isn’t in much danger of losing his roster spot—at least for now. It’s Herrera whose struggles to grab the opportunity by the horns that should get sent back down to the minors.

After 18 plate appearances, Herrera is a .143/.235/.143 hitter. His minor league success early on this season hasn’t followed him to St. Louis. It’s looking like this young catcher was absolutely rushed to the major leagues in the absence of Molina.

Fortunately, the Cardinals have plenty of affordable backup catchers they can look at to pair with Knizner or even replace him as the regular guy. They don’t have to go big game hunting. They just need someone capable of hitting around .220 and calling a good game.

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