Per Cots, Cards have around $80M on the books for next year and $164 this year. These are very ballpark numbers, but if they add 5% (fans all year) for 2022, that would put them at $172M – 80 – 20 (arb guys) – 10 (pre arb) – 16 (Yadi & Waino?) they would have $45-50M to spend on upgrades. I feel like the OF’s are basically locked in with Edman and younger guys as the back ups, 1st and 3rd are obviously locked in and hopefully Yadi comes back with Knizner as the backup again.
So middle infield, a DH, a SP or two and a bullpen piece or two would be where that money should go. With the depth, even beyond the big names, SS is the most likely spot for a big lineup splash, and I see Gorman as the future 2B with DeJong and Edman playing 2nd until he’s ready.
I’m really hoping Lester actually performs well the rest of the year and he could be resigned for 2022, and maybe another 1 or two year deal for an older pitcher that throws strikes and eats innings (Waino please) and/or Kk. JF, MM, Reyes (fingers crossed), Waino, KK, Lester, and another vet would seem solid in my opinion with Oviedo always an option.
A left handed bat first proven DH would also be on my wish list, someone who could play the field once or twice a week would be ideal, but a proven bat would be most important aspect.
All of that seems possible, when you’re 5 spots out of the lowest number of runs scored in the league, the SS and DH need to be addressed over the pitching.