What would a dream Cardinals starting lineup look like next season?

By Tim Boyle | Nov 20, 2022

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with Paul Goldschmidt #46 after hitting a two-run home run in the top of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on July 06, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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Nolan Arenado is the cleanup hitter in the dream St. Louis Cardinals starting lineup for 2023. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

4) Dream Cardinals starting lineup: Nolan Arenado bats fourth, 3B

The other of the two MVP candidates from the 2022 Cardinals, we can expect more of the same from third baseman Nolan Arenado in 2023. He chose to opt into his contract. Who’s ready for another great year out of him?

Arenado’s defense is only one of the reasons why fans love to have him. He has won a Gold Glove in all ten seasons of his career. His two years in St. Louis have been equally as good at the plate.

While Arenado’s slash line numbers were down in 2021, he boosted them all by about 40 points in 2022. The old theory that he could only hit at Coors Field is long dead. Arenado is the cleanup hitter in everyone’s dream Cardinals starting lineup.

5) Dream Cardinals starting lineup: Willson Contreras bats fifth, C

This spot in the lineup is nominated for the “rubbing it in the Chicago Cubs’ faces” award. Signing Willson Contreras away from them isn’t just filling a hole in the St. Louis depth chart. It’s also taking away something from your greatest rival.

The Cubs can certainly move on from Contreras. To see him end up in St. Louis, however, might make the loss sting even just a little bit more.

The Redbirds should be in the market for Contreras and other free agent catchers. It’s his bat that makes him the most interesting. Plus, who doesn’t want to see him deliver a crushing blow to the Cubs a couple of times?

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