What the Cardinals should do in free agency
Going into the 2015 offseason the Cards already have big decisions to make. With the loss of Lance Lynn to Tommy John's surgery for the 2016 year, the list gets a little deeper. But I think people want to look for to fill positions that can be filled with players already on the roster and not the real positions of need. First base and right field look like positions of need, but the real positions of need are back-up catcher and a quality starting infielder. For back-up catcher, I don't mean Tony Cruz or thier new spring invite Eric Fryer, I mean a real catcher can that can play 50-60 games behing the plate with little to no drop in productivity. Not that Molina wil only play 100 games but can help fill another spot: First Base. Becoming an older player, the catching days are dwindling down for Molina but having him play a little first base could keep him around a little longer. Also, the weigth loss to save his knees seems to have hurt his offense. Giving him more days of at catcher can let him bulk back up and put more into his offense.
If you look at the Cardinals roster,even minus Jason Heyward, right field and first base are almost covered. Stephen Piscotty should be your every day right fielder. He proved what he could be as a Major leaguer and earned the right to be giver the job, At first, Matt Adams is still here and like I said Molina should get some time there but I think Matt Carpenter should be your 2016 first basemen. Thats why I said almost covered bescause I think the Cardinals should get a young quality replacement for Jhonny Peralta and stop gap for Aledmys Diaz. I know Peralta's here one more year but I'm saying move Carpenter to first, Peralta to third, and sign a shortstop. The reason I mention shortstop is it's deep with talented fee agents like Alexei Ramirez, Asdrubal Carbrera, and Ian Desmond. Think of a line-up with Carpenter,Grichuk,Holliday,Piscotty,Peralta,Molina,Wong and another quality bat, that's a pretty good looking 8 to me. Also with Molina playing first means Carpenter can give days off to Holliday, Wong, and Peralta giving his versatility. whick helps a team getting older but the second. This could all happen with only sign two guys with only one of them needing to start. That leaves money for quality backups and pitchers to give St.Louis another contender in 2016
Free Agents I like : Backup catcher:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia: 9 home runs and 24 rbi's in 47 games could also make him a quality pitch hitter as well.
Geovany Soto: Yes the former Cub. Veteran that could easily fill that spot. 9 home runs and 21 rbi's in 73 games and only made 5 errors.
Shortstops:
Ian Desmond: Not the best defensive player but I think his bat will make up for it. 19 home runs and 62 rbi's gives some offense this team lacks.
Alexei Ramirez:His speed and defense would to bring something that Cards lose in Heyward. Also brings the bat with 10 home runs and 62 rbi's last year.
Asdrubal Cabrera: The one most like Peralta with age on his side. .265 15 home runs 58 rbi's will be taken by any team for that position.
Pitcher:
Mark Buehrle:Other than because he said according to reports that he doesnt want to pitch anywhere and he's from here, a consistent 200 inning pitcher hat will help from taxing the bullpen again for another year. Also keeps a left hander in there if Garcia goes down.
David Price: Umm because it's David Price. John Lackey: Familiar Face. You know what have here and would just be like Buehrle a stop gap for Reyes.
