With Albert Pujols heading to Anaheim, the Cardinals have at least an extra $200 million to play with this off-season. Personally, I would like to see them restructure/extend starting pitcher Adam Wainwright’s contract immediately. Why let him hit the open market? In the meantime, here is a short list of free agents who could help the Cardinals next season.
Pitchers:
If the Cardinals go after a pitcher, they will most likely try and solidify their bullpen. However, I would like to see them bump Jake Westbrook to the bullpen or even trade him or Kyle Lohse to free up a spot for a big name starting pitcher.
Brad Lidge
RHP Brad Lidge (2011 stats: 19.1 IP; 1.40 ERA; 23 K; 13 BB; 1 SV; 8 HLD)
While Lidge did battle some injury woes last season, the 34-year-old pitcher has been an effective set-up man over the past few seasons. In terms of cost, the Phillies declined Lidge’s $12 million option, so he may be a bit expensive for the Cardinals’ needs. That being said, it appears the team would only have to contend with the Colorado Rockies for his services.
LHP CJ Wilson (2011 stats: 34 GS; 16-7; 2.94 ERA; 206 K; 74 BB; 1.187 WHIP)
With Pujols heading to Los Angeles, it is believed that Wilson is leaning towards remaining in the AL West as an Angel. However, the Cardinals do have extra money to throw around. The possibility of a starting rotation with Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Wilson, Jaime Garcia, and Lohse or Westbrook should motivate the Cardinals to at least make an offer to the All-Star pitcher.
(Of course, just as I go to publish this post, Jon Morosi tweets that Wilson has signed a 5-year contract with the Angels worth $77.5 million.)
RHP Brandon Webb (Did not pitch in 2011)
Webb COULD be a project for Dave Duncan. He hasn’t pitched since Opening Day 2009 due to a myriad of injuries, including a rotator cuff injury in July that threw his recovery process off track. Webb’s contract with the Rangers last season guaranteed him $3 million, but given his injury woes, the Cardinals could land him for less than $2.5 million. Webb was a promising young pitcher before injuries de-railed his career, but with Duncan’s track record of rehabilitating pitcher’s careers, Webb may be worth a shot.
Roy Oswalt
RHP Roy Oswalt (2011 Stats: 23 GS; 9-10; 3.69 ERA; 93 K; 33 BB; 1.34 WHIP)
Oswalt may demand more money than the Cardinals are willing to spend (he made $16 million last season with the Phillies). However, rumors surfaced last July that the Cardinals were interested in trading for Oswalt. The 34-year-old pitcher is also being pursued by the Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals, meaning that his price could be driven up significantly as time goes on.
RHP Edwin Jackson (2011 Stats: 31 GS; 12-9; 3.79 ERA; 148 K; 62 BB; 1.44 WHIP)
Would be nice to keep E-Jax around, but with Boras as his agent, he will be overpaid by some other team.
Position Players
The Cardinals have holes at shortstop and second base. With the injury to Allen Craig and the move by Lance Berkman from the outfield to first base, the team may also explore bringing in an extra outfielder. Given his versatility, I think the team would be best served bringing back Skip Schumaker and pursuing a shortstop.
Shortstop Rafael Furcal (2011 Stats: .231; 8 HR; 28 RBI; .298 OBP)
Furcal expressed interest in returning to the Cardinals if they re-signed Pujols. With Pujols gone, it will be interesting to see if Furcal still wants to return to the Cardinals. He was strong defensively during his short stint with Saint Louis and even provided some offense at the top of the order. I would imagine that the Cardinals will turn their attention to trying to bring back Furcal for the 2012 season. The 34-year-old shortstop made $13 million last season.
Alex Gonzalez
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez (2011 Stats: .241; 15 HR; 56 RBI; .270 OBP)
The Cardinals would be sacrificing offense for defense with Gonzalez, but he would be a nice alternative if Furcal does not re-sign with the club. The 34-year-old shortstop made just $2.5 million last season with the Braves.
Outfielder Carlos Beltran (2011 Stats: .300; 22 HR; 84 RBI; .385 OBP)
There is virtually no interest in Beltran. He is nowhere near the dominating force he used to be (injuries have slowed his career), but Beltran did hit .300 last season with 22 home runs and 84 RBI. If he is still available as spring training approaches, the Cardinals could probably sign Beltran to a cheap, short term contract.
Shortstop Yuniesky Bentacourt (2011 Stats: .252; 13 HR; 68 RBI; .271 OBP)
Yeah, he is average at the plate and average defensively, Cardinals would be better served staying in-house rather than bringing in Bentacourt.
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins (2011 Stats: .268; 16 HR; 63 RBI; .338 OBP)
Would be nice to see him in a Cardinals uniform, but it appears that the Phillies are close to re-signing Rollins.
Second Baseman Nick Punto (2011 Stats: .278; 1 HR; 20 RBI; .388 OBP)
Solid utility player for the Cardinals last season. Could sign him for $1 million or less. Do it.
Hank's Sports Blog 