A complete list of every St. Louis Cardinals free agent and predictions for where they will sign.
The St. Louis Cardinals were a force in the NL Central all season, eventually winning the division with a comfortable seven-game lead over second-placed Milwaukee Brewers.
Things looked promising for the Cardinals heading into the post-season, but nothing happened according to the Redbirds’ plan, as they were quickly wiped out by the Phillies on the Wild Card Tour.
With all eyes on the outside and free agency, the club is set to have some important players to go off the records including two legends who have retired from the game, Albert Pujols and Yadir Molina.
Complete List of Free Cardinals Agents with Predictions.
3B Nolan Arenado (2023 player option)
2022 stats: 148 G, 30 HR, 103 RBI, 73 R, .293 AVG, 154 OPS+, 7.9 bWAR
In a way, Nolan Arenado continues to improve as his career progresses. The 2022 campaign is statistically his best season to date, delivering 154 OPS+ and bringing his strike rate down to 11.6%.
In what could easily be a seven-time All-Star Game Selection Player of the Year award-winning season, all indications are that he is exercising the no-participation clause and the free agency test. Simply put, he wouldn’t be a fool. The list of teams getting his services is endless.
There have been rumors circulating that Arenado has already made up its mind and opted not to exercise the opt-out clause but until the day the free agent is introduced, it’s impossible to know for sure what the plan is.
Prediction: Arenado chooses its player option and remains a Cardinal for another year.
from Corey Dickerson
2022 stats: 96 G, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 28 R, .267 AVG, 100 OPS+, 0.1 bWAR
33-year-old Corey Dickerson appears to have had his best days behind him as a senior player, but he was still averaged in the league for the season at less than 100 card games.
Never a threat to the defense (aside from his random Golden Glove award in 2018), he should be no more than an occasional left-handed hitter. When he’s on, he has 10-15 home running strength and should be able to find a new home with relative ease this season.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates
LHP Jose Quintana
2022 stats: 32 GS, 165.2 IP, 2.93 ERA, 2.99 FIP, 137 SO, 47 BB
Jose Quintana waited until his 33-year season to achieve the best performance of his career. After 20 solid starts with the Pirates, he found himself tipped between the division to the Cardinals as he continued to excel, posting 2.01 ERAs in 12 starts for the Redbirds.
Quintana has managed to improve his game across the board, having his best season since arguably going back to 2016.
Of course, Quintana would be an excellent fit to move forward with the Cardinals, but there’s a chance he may have played a bigger role in his salary than the Cardinal wants to hand it to him.
Prediction: Baltimore Orioles
RHB Adam Wainwright
2022 stats: 32 GS, 191.2 IP, 3.71 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 143 SO, 54 BB
There’s not much to discuss with Adam Wainwright, because if he doesn’t retire, he’ll still be the St. Louis Cardinal.
“Waino” recently concluded his 17th season in the major leagues, all spent with the Cardinals, delivering three All-Star games as well as two Gold Glove awards and a World Championship ring throughout 2006 when he was a relief pitcher.
At 41 years old, and calling the annual contender a home for the past two decades, there’s little incentive for Wainwright to go elsewhere. Look for it to reuse cards for another one-year contract before calling it a career.
Prediction: Re-sign with the Cardinals
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