5 free agents the St. Louis Cardinals should keep in 2022

The St. Louis Cardinals have a number of players who could be turning to free agency this winter. Who are some players you’d like to see them keep?

The St. Louis Cardinals had a lot of characters in 2021. Some of them played a grand role in the epic ups and downs of this season that ended with a historic winning streak in September only to have them lose in heartbreaking fashion to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a one-and-done Wild Card game.

You have your players that will be back in 2022, of course, such as Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.

Then there are players you would love to see back but you don’t know how they are health-wise such as Wade LeBlanc, who excelled as a starter for the Cardinals when the team desperately needed his arm. He was a great clubhouse presence and cheerleader but most of all, you could tell he loved the role he was put in and that he wanted to be in St. Louis. LeBlanc’s season ended due to elbow issues but you have to wonder what would be next for him and could he get another year in St. Louis. It’s very unclear but he will be one to keep an eye on as he was just a good presence.

As with any season, there are the players where what is next is absolutely in the air. You don’t know if the Cardinals are thinking about bringing them back, but you would certainly appreciate them kicking the tires, as Cardinals’ president of baseball operations John Mozeliak would put it.

There are players who contributed greatly to this team in 2021 that you would love to see come back and get a little more time with the Birds on the Bat.

Let’s discuss some of those players the Cardinals should consider bringing back!