There was a phase not too long ago, Cardinals president of John Mozeliak recalled recently, when the desirability of joining the Cardinals could be questioned.
You will remember two noteworthy examples.
Jason Heyward broke the mold of so many players who spent time with the Cardinals then decided they wanted to stay in St. Louis. Instead, the outfielder departed for the Cubs in free agency entering the 2016 season despite the Cardinals’ efforts to keep him. His comments about the Cardinals' "aging core" ruffled feathers.
Giancarlo Stanton was not a free agent, but his no-trade clause gave him the choice to pick between the Cardinals and the Yankees, and he picked the Yankees entering the 2018 season.