This is why an easy solution to all this is to add an above-average hitter like Brantley. Then we aren’t relying on a bunch of question marks (incl. Carlson) in the outfield and mixing and matching a bunch of players – something they’ve never been great at.
The best roster solution would be to cut or trade Fowler for any possible salary relief and sign Brantley. Savvy teams would do it, but the Cards have rarely been bold enough to do stuff like that. Brantley in LF, Bader in CF and Carlson in RF with O’Neill filling in for all three.