Cardinals Face Tough Decisions on Catching Depth
The St. Louis Cardinals are entering a pivotal offseason, one that will revolve around trade decisions that could reshape their roster. With significant players like Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray drawing attention, the focus might also turn to the catching position, where Pedro Pagés has emerged as a potential trade target.
Catching Logjam Complicates Roster Plans
The Cardinals find themselves in a unique predicament, boasting a surplus of talent at the catcher position. As outlined by The Athletic’s Katie Woo, the team has multiple catchers both at the major league level and within their minor league system.
Iván Herrera is expected to return as one of the primary catchers next season, but likely not in an everyday role. Instead, he may share duties with rookie Jimmy Crooks. Meanwhile, Leonardo Bernal, who recently earned a minor-league Gold Glove with Double-A Springfield, is poised to move up to Triple-A. This creates a scenario that could leave Pagés as the odd man out.
Evaluating Trade Options
With this influx of catching talent, the Cardinals will need to critically assess their options. Pagés, who has showcased promise, could be an appealing asset on the trade market. His potential departure could open up opportunities for Herrera, Crooks, and Bernal to solidify their roles within the organization.
The Cardinals must weigh the benefits of keeping Pagés against the advantages of trading him for additional assets that could bolster other areas of the team. The offseason will undoubtedly be a time of reflection and strategic planning as St. Louis looks to craft a competitive roster for the upcoming season.
As the trade landscape begins to take shape, all eyes will be on how the Cardinals navigate their catching conundrum while potentially reshaping their roster for future success.
