If the St. Louis Cardinals make any moves in free agency this offseason, they’re unlikely to be costly.
The team has emphasized its goal of reducing payroll, meaning any additions would likely align with that strategy. The Cardinals might consider parting ways with high-salaried players like Nolan Arenado and replacing them with affordable free agents on short-term contracts.
There are options that could fit this approach, and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently highlighted five budget-friendly free agents for the Cardinals. Among them is veteran utility player Nicky Lopez.
“As spring training nears, the Cardinals’ bench could be set,” Goold noted. “They’ve added Jose Barrero, a former top prospect for Cincinnati, on a minor-league deal, and they already had Thomas Saggese poised to step into a utility role. But both are right-handed hitters, and there isn’t a Tommy Edman walking through that door. The Cardinals could start their search for a Brandon Crawford-like addition early…
“How does he fit the Cardinals? What, you were expecting All-Star position players on this list? The Cardinals need bench depth and are committed to doing it on a budget. They already have left-handed options at second and third base, but shortstop remains less clear. A reliable, left-handed complement at shortstop who plays sparingly but effectively would be a sturdy, if unspectacular, addition.”
Lopez seems to fit that mold perfectly. A career .248 hitter, he’s played every infield position, as well as left field, over his career. After earning $4.3 million with the Chicago White Sox last year, his price tag would likely be even lower now.
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