By all accounts the St. Louis Cardinals made great strides in 2019: 91 wins, the Central Division title, an appearance, albeit brief, in the National League championship series, with its fleeting chance of playing through Halloween Eve.
How to build on that success, however, seems to be quite a daunting challenge. Because just as soon as strides are made, gaping holes and question marks appear.
By all accounts, because of payroll and other obligations, the Cardinals will not be participating in the sweepstakes for the top four free agents (that being Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon, Stephen Strasburg, and Aroldis Chapman).