As the Cardinals mapped their approach to this offseason and stirred internal debates about how to improve the roster from a third-place finish, executive John Mozeliak said his staff took a spin through lineup options, starter by starter, and “named them by name.”
“They’re all good,” Mozeliak said. “But we need great.”
That edict sent the Cardinals in search of a transformative hitter who could, like a rising tide, elevate all others. They first tried to trade for reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton and then, once he was in pinstripes, pivoted to acquire two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner Marcell Ozuna.