St. Louis Cardinals 2021 Season Preview

 

Offseason additions: 3B Nolan Arenado, C Yadier Molina (re-signed), SP Adam Wainwright (re-signed), C Ali Sanchez, C Tyler Heineman, SS Jose Rondon, 2B/SS Max Moroff, OF Matt Szczur, RP Johan Quezada, and LP Garrett Williams. 

Offseason subtractions: 2B Kolten Wong, 2B Max Schrock, OF Dexter Fowler, 1B Rangel Ravelo, C Matt Wieters, Infielder Brad Miller, RP John Brebbia, RP Nabil Chrismatt, LP Rob Kaminsky, RP Ryan Meisinger, SP Austin Gomber, RP Tony Locey, SP Jake Sommers, 3B Elehuris Montero, and SS Mateo Gil.

Point team prediction: 86-90 wins (NL Central champions). The St. Louis Cardinals will look to make the playoffs for their 3rd straight season under Mike Shildt. Last season, in a  60 game season, the Cardinals went 30-28 and finished in 2nd place. The Cardinals then lost to the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round. After they lost, the Cardinals knew they needs to upgrade their offense and their team somehow. It took awhile, but on February 1, 2021 the Cardinals acquired third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. In acquiring Arenado, the Cardinals got one of the best players in the game and possibly a future Hall of Famer someday. He's the type of player fans will pay to see play. 

Starting rotation: 

Jack Flaherty, Carlos Martinez, Adam Wainwright, Kwang-hyun-Kim (if he's ready to start the season), Daniel Ponce de Leon or Alex Reyes (Miles Mikolas won't start the season on the active roster). 

Bullpen:

Jordan Hicks, Giovanny Gallegos, Andrew Miller, Tyler Webb, Genesis Cabrera, John Gant, Ryan Helsley, Reyes or Ponce de Leon (depending on which one ends up starting in the rotation). 

Lineup:

1. 2B Tommy Edman, 2. RF Dylan Carlson, 3. 1B Paul Goldschmidt, 4. 3B Nolan Arenado, 5. SS Paul DeJong, 6. C Yadier Molina, 7. Tyler O'Neill (would swap him and DeJong, if O'Neill proves he can hit), 8. CF Lane Thomas, 9. pitcher.

Bench:

Tyler Heineman, Jose Rondon (if he stays hitting), Harrison Bader, Justin Williams, Matt Carpenter.

Fantasy Stud: Nolan Arenado

Prospects to watch: 

Nolan Gorman (if he proves he can handle 2B, he could get a chance at some point this season), Matthew Liberatore, Thomas Parsons.