Yesterday, we examined the possibilities that a universal DH would bring if put in place with the next CBA this offseason.
One of those possibilities was a potential reunion between Albert Pujols and the Cardinals.
While it’s something that could happen this offseason, it may not be the best option if you’re John Mozeliak. Pujols is going to be 42 and is long past his prime. The Cardinals may want someone younger and better.
And they probably should. With more cap space this offseason, St. Louis will be free to spend some more money, and they should probably focus that money on signing someone who’s not 42 years old.
Enter Kyle Schwarber.
The former Cub signed with the Nationals last offseason and got off to a blazing-hot start before landing on the injured list. With Washington falling out of contention, they traded him to the Red Sox. He finished the regular season with 32 homers, 71 RBI’s, and a .266 average.
St. Louis could use a lefty power bat in their lineup, and if the DH is in the National League, it would make all the sense in the world to try and reel in Schwarber. With another tough year for the Cardinals offense, they could use all the help they can get.
Schwarber is also someone who is very familiar with Busch Stadium from his years with the Cubs, and he’s fared well at that ballpark too.
One problem the Cardinals might run into is the fact that he’s an outfielder. St. Louis is committed to having Tyler O’Neill, Harrison Bader, and Dylan Carlson in the outfield. They also have a surplus of young outfielders in the minors, plus Lars Nootbaar on the big league roster, who has a ton of upside. You could argue that they don’t really need another outfielder. And if the universal DH isn’t agreed upon, then the Cardinals should stay away.
But in all likelihood, the DH is coming to the NL, so there wouldn’t be much need for Schwarber in the outfield anyway, unless maybe they want to give one of their starting outfielders a break from the field and slot them in as the DH.
Schwarber has also been playing a ton of first-base with the Red Sox this postseason, so if Paul Goldschmidt ever needed a day off from playing defense, you could put Schwarber there and keep Goldschmidt in the lineup as the DH.
This makes more sense than trying to sign Pujols. Schwarber is still only 28, and might be the best option out there in terms of Designated Hitters. The Nationals got him for cheap last offseason, signing him to a one-year deal. He’ll probably want more than that, but the Cards should be able to afford signing him for two or three years.
You can bet Schwarber will garner a ton of interest this offseason. Everything really seems to depend on when they work out the next CBA. If the DH is added to the NL, the Cards should make a push for the lefty slugger.
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