I have good news and bad.
The Cardinals' new, unofficial motto of "doing more with less" is not ideal. Take it from someone who works in the newspaper industry. The optimistic phrase often is said in the world of modern journalism. Usually, it means something bad is about to happen.
The Cards are in cutting mode. Comments made by team officials this week made that quite clear. Adjust expectations accordingly. Or don't. But we have been warned.
Now, some good news.
Some sort of season will be played in 2021. And while the Cardinals are attempting to adjust expectations about what they can and can't afford, they have to know they can't afford to do nothing about a lineup that was sputtering before anyone heard of COVID-19. Even during a pandemic-forced scaling back, this lineup simply does not sell.
Among the ways to pump some thump into a power-lacking offense could be a low-risk, high reward approach to free agency. Opportunities will be available. Even for the thriftiest of shoppers.
Just like a team looking to strengthen its infield defense would be wise to pick up a discounted Kolten Wong after the Cardinals passed on his 2021 option, the Cardinals should sift through the free-agent field for proven pop.
Now, the best news.
Power abounds. At all kinds of price levels.
Cruising through P-D colleague and Hall of Famer Rick Hummel's rundown of free agents, you can find plenty of names that would make a difference for the Redbirds.
Sure things such as outfielder George Springer and infielder DJ LeMahieu are obvious answers who will cost the most. But they're not the only options.
If the designated hitter remains in the National League, why not righthanded hitting Nelson Cruz?
He has averaged a whopping 45 home runs per 162 games over the past seven seasons. Only Angels superstar Mike Trout has averaged more at-bats per home run since 2018 than Cruz's clip of 12.32. Cruz kept cruising during the shortened 2020 season, averaging .303 with a .397 on-base percentage and a .595 slugging percentage. His production would demand a fortune if he was 28. But he's not 28. He's 40.
He made a prorated portion of $12 million in 2020 after the Twins picked up his option. That was a steal. His next deal might be one, too. At this rate, he might still be slugging .500-something when he's 50.
There are multiple bounce-back, big-bat candidates in this free-agent class, including some truly intriguing ones.
Yoenis Cespedes. Yasiel Puig. Ryan Braun.
The first two either didn't play or barely played in 2020. Count me out.
The other one, Braun, is quite disliked in St. Louis. Would that be the case if he was hitting baseballs into Big Mac Land for the Cardinals? I don't think so. Color me intrigued. The soon-to-be 37-year-old has knocked 20-plus home runs in four of his last five full seasons. He's an obvious DH if his power is on, or he could spend time at third base or corner outfield. His worse-than-usual 2020 still featured more home runs (eight) than any current Cardinal.
Here's another buy-low option to consider: Edwin Encarnacion.
The White Sox declined the slugger's $12 million option after a disappointing season included ... 10 home runs. No Cardinals hitter had more than seven. Maybe Encarnacion is toast after a batting line of .157/.250/.377. Or, maybe he had a bad year in a strange season, and will reward some team by rebounding on the cheap. Encarnacion has matched Yankees star Aaron Judge in at-bats per homer (14.17) since 2018.
Perhaps you are wondering, what if there is no DH in the NL in 2021?
Well, then, what about Joc Pederson?
The 28-year-old southpaw slugger has hit 25 or more homers in four of his five full MLB seasons. His five-season slugging percentage of .479 dipped to .397 during the pandemic, driving down his price. (His seven homers still would have tied for the team lead among Cardinals.) After resisting the notion in the past, the Cardinals now say they will consider platoon-type answers for their outfield woes. Pederson could provide one. He's been significantly stronger against righthanded pitching. Current Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader has been significantly stronger against lefthanded pitching. A tag-team might thrive.
Yes, Pederson strikes out often. So does Encarnacion. So does Cruz.
Most of these names do.
But unlike most of the current Cardinals, these bats balance Ks with dramatic damage done. The kind of damage the Cardinals need to convert a solid on-base percentage into runs.
The Cardinals, right now, have just one hitter who ranks in baseball's top 50 in home runs since 2019. It's Paul Goldschmidt (40 homers). He's in a five-way tie, for 49th.
This lineup needs a power boost. Good thing power is on sale, and prices are dropping.
