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Cubs fans will love and hate these St. Louis Cardinals rumors
Over the recent months, it's been more and more speculated that the Chicago Cubs will be looking to improve their roster for the coming 2023 season. However, let's not forget that there are other teams in the division that need to not do more than the Cubs if Chicago wishes to have a chance to take the NL Central next season. The Milwaukee Brewers being a small market team doesn't worry me quite as much as the St. Louis Cardinals do.
Looking at the Cardinals, it's already unfortunate that Nolan Arenado opted into his contract when, in my opinion, he could have extended his contract by opting out at the very least. This in itself is one thing that is no longer a rumor to happen but still something we can put at the top of things that Cubs fans hate regarding the Cardinals this coming season. If I had to be honest and say that the Cardinals have done a great job of assembling a talented roster, I'd probably lie. Nevertheless, the Cardinals remain a threat in the NL Central as they sit now. Let's take a look at a few rumors that cubs fans can agree that they both love and hate.
#3, Hate it: Sean Murphy winds up in St. Louis
Sean Murphy, aside from Willson Contreras, is the best catcher available this offseason. This time, however, it is a catcher available via trade. The Cardinals are a top-three contending team that needs a catcher this season, so it's no surprise to see Murphy linked to the Cardinals in recent reports. Murphy just came off his best season where he slashed .250/.332/.426 with 18 home runs and 66 driven in. Production like that in the back end of the lineup for a well-defending catcher is something every team wishes it had.
Pretty much, you hope St. Louis strikes out and winds up with someone who is a non-difference maker this year. The Cardinals, however, were ready to go all in for Juan Soto at the trade deadline and put together a package of prospects that just almost got the job done. They certainly are not scared to pull the trigger for the right piece and it just so happens they have six of the top 100 prospects in baseball. Where the Cubs have more flexibility financially, the Cardinals have a deep farm system and more than enough resources prospect-wise available to pull it off.
#2, Rumor fans would love: Kevin Kiermaier winds up in St. Louis
One rumor currently going on is that the St. Louis Cardinals are being linked with Kevin Keirmaier for a center field position. As we all know, Keimaier has been linked to the Cubs as well. However, though Keirmaier has been an elite defender throughout his career, the bat he has possessed hasn't been the best. Defensively, yes. great glove and would help the Cubs a great deal in the outfield. Offensively, not so much. In fact, it's pretty safe to say he has hardly any positive impact at all in the Cubs lineup.
Therefore, Cubs fans can enjoy knowing that Jed Hoyer has confirmed the club needs a center fielder added to the roster externally. If it's not Keirmaier, the odds that the Cubs land someone a little higher up the totem pole in terms of offensive production grows. Cody Bellinger, who has struggled at the plate mightily since receiving shoulder surgery, is a name that has been linked to the Cubs. I'm willing to take a flyer on Bellinger to the Cubs, who also possesses elite defense and the ability to play first base if needed, and the hope is the offensive production can come back. In any case, not landing Keirmaier because he went to the Cardinals relieves the Cubs of having to deal with a lack of offensive production somewhere in their lineup.
#1, the Most hated rumor: Willson Contreras lands in St. Louis.
Glancing at the rumor mill, the number one thing Cubs fan will hate is if Willson Contreras winds up in a Cardinals uniform. I can almost see the red bat across his chest now. It's hideous. This all started a while ago. Unfortunately, after the departure of future Hall of Famer, Yadier Molina, it only makes sense that they are after an all-star caliber catcher. Contreras, who didn't really even negotiate in contract talks with Jed Hoyer and the Cubs front office, can't be blamed for wherever he signs from a fan standpoint. It just would hurt.
Next. More Carlos Correa connections for Chicago Cubs. dark
Unfortunately, Contreras is a perfect fit for the Cubs just as much as he is for the Cardinals. Even worse, there is essentially no scenario in which Contreras comes back to Chicago. He is also rumored to be followed closely by the Houston Astros. Sometimes these things work out this way. A rival team comes in and swoops up whoever you don't keep and it breaks your heart. Wherever Contreras lands, he will always receive a standing O from the Wrigley faithful.