Cardinals: 3 roster moves keeping St Louis from World Series contention

ST LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 02: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals and Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals walk to the dug out prior to a game against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on August 2, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /

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ST. LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 04: Tyler O’Neill #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammate Dylan Carlson #3 after hitting a three-run home run against the Chicago Cubs in the seventh inning in game two of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium on August 04, 2022, in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) /

The Cardinals must find an outfielder with a consistent bat

The Cardinals traded Gold Glove-winning center fielder Harrison Bader after Dylan Carlson stepped up as the team’s center fielder during Bader’s long stint on the injured list due to plantar fasciitis.

While running into consistency issues at the plate, Carlson has been solid in center field and can find himself at the plate again when given the occasional day off.

Lars Nootbaar has regained his legendary status taking over right field. While learning the right-field position, he has gained consistency at the plate and on the base path. Noot is young and still learning, though.

Tyler O’Neill has been the Cardinals’ two-time Gold Glove-winning left fielder. O’Neill, however, has run into several issues this season with injury and finding consistency at the plate. The Cardinals will give O’Neill time to get some feeling at the plate, but fans may grow impatient. After having a monster 2021 season, O’Neill is hitting .219/.286/.339 with an OPS of .625 and six home runs.

Signed as a designated hitter, Corey Dickerson has backed O’Neill up at the left field. He is hitting .233/.278/.363 with an OPS of .641 and four home runs. With issues related to his calf muscles, he’s not a dependable option in the outfield, as proven Saturday evening when he misplayed a route to catch a hit to right field, costing the Cardinals the game.

Juan Yepez has been rehabbing in Memphis to regain form to return to St. Louis. However, Yepez is not a consistently good defender. Conner Capel is another option for St. Louis this season.

Fans would love to see prospect Alec Burleson make it to St. Louis. The lefty outfielder is hitting .330/.372/.546 with an OPS of .918 and 20 home runs for AAA Memphis. He would be tremendous to have with St. Louis. Time will tell if the Cardinals are ready to bring up the 23-year-old.

The Cardinals have several options to play with and must find the right mix in the coming weeks.

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