2 Cardinals offseason decisions that will pay off, and 1 that will backfire
By Tim Boyle
Cardinals offseason decision that will pay off: Not giving into trade temptations
When you make a big trade, you need to be pretty sure you can win the deal. The Cardinals are better positioned than anyone else to execute one of those great blockbusters. They have a girth of talent in the minors and majors to choose from. It’s not a matter of “if” they make one of these trades but a “when” and “who” it will be for.
This MLB offseason didn’t include any truly franchise-altering trade. Shohei Ohtani is still with the Los Angeles Angels. Rafael Devers got a contract extension from the Boston Red Sox. Bryan Reynolds is staying put with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Unwillingness to give into a trade they didn’t truly believe in will pay off for this team. Because at this year’s trade deadline, St. Louis can make the best trades they can.
It’s easy to expect the Cardinals to have a spot atop the National League Central by the time the trade deadline arrives. At the very least, they’ll be right there contending for it. Whether due to an injury or unexpected poor performance, they’ll have the ammunition to target everyone available.
The price of top players will go down at the deadline with fewer suitors and maybe even a little less control over those trade candidates. Trading for a two-month rental instead of a guy with a full season left on his contract can help the Cardinals make an even better trade and maybe turn their attention to filling another need as well.