Cardinals Fan Favorite's Role With Club Uncertain; Could Trade Be Coming?

What will the Cardinals do this offseason with one of the club's fan favorites?

The St. Louis Cardinals are in an intriguing spot. 

St. Louis had its worst season in recent memory this year, but there's reason for hope heading into the 2024 season. The Cardinals' offense was impressive and largely will remain the same. The biggest question mark will be in the starting rotation but the club already has said it will be aggressive as it looks to fill three spots. 

There's no way for sure to know what will happen, but the club likely will look different. One player who could end up being a casualty of the changes coming is utility man Tommy Edman. The 28-year-old has an uncertain role with the club, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold. 

"A conversation the Cardinals will have in the coming days is whether Edman opens next season the way he finished this one -- as the starting center fielder," Goold said. "He had a diving catch in shallow center, and the final out of (Miles Mikolas') season was a dead-sprint catch by Edman at the center field wall to preserve a lead and get Mikolas a ninth win."

Edman was a bright spot for the Cardinals this season but did find his name in trade rumors at points throughout the campaign. St. Louis has a log jam in the outfield with Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, Tyler O'Neil, Dylan Carlson, Alec Burleson, and Edman. St. Louis likely will make at least a move or two and Edman could have solid trade value. He already has one Gold Glove award under his belt and can play all over the diamond. Plus, Edman was solid offensively in 2023 while slashing .248/.307/.399 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs in 137 games played. 

It's very likely the Cardinals will make at least one or two trades this offseason and Cardinals fans should be keeping a close eye on Edman. 

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