3 Cardinals who won’t be back and where they will go

Cardinals should part ways with shortstop Paul DeJong

Paul DeJong spent most of the 2022 season trying to return to form at the plate while wondering if he would be traded.

During the 2021 season, DeJong suffered a left rib non-displaced fracture. DeJong has struggled mightily since this injury. This season, the team optioned him to Memphis on May 10 so that he could spend some time in the minor league system getting back into his game plan.

While in Memphis, DeJong hit .249/.313/.552 with an OPS of .865 in 51 games. He hit 17 home runs and 54 RBI. DeJong played so well at Memphis that the Cardinals had no choice but to bring him back to the club on July 30.

He had a nice stretch of games but ultimately regressed once returning to St. Louis. In 77 games, he hit .157/.245/.286 with an OPS of .530. He had nine doubles, six home runs, and 25 RBI.

That’s a drastic difference in performance.

Whether this issue could be helped with hitting coach Jeff Albert and staff or if it’s a sports psychology concern, the Cardinals are set to owe DeJong $9.167 million in 2023 and must figure out what to do with the one-time All-Star.

If they cannot develop a plan to improve things, DeJong might benefit significantly from a change of scenery where they may be able to figure out what’s ailing him. The Cardinals may be forced to trade him to help both him and the team.

DeJong could be moved to a team looking for a shortstop with potential, but can take on his salary. The Angels or A’s could be a landing spot for DeJong.