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The St. Louis Cardinals are changing the guard at the end of this season with John Mozeliak stepping down and Chaim Bloom taking his place, but that isn't the only way a new era is being ushered in. The Cardinals have bought in on the youth movement this year, and their future star shortstop, Masyn Winn, is leading the charge.
ESPN's Jeff Passan predicted the next set of $100 million free agents and, in the 2028-29 class, identified the electrifying Cardinals shortstop. Winn's defensive prowess is setting him up to be a contender for the Gold Glove for years to come, and that alone can earn you a good contract. What makes Winn tantalizing is his youth and potential to become a well-above-average hitter.
Winn began this season in a slump but has since been able to turn around his numbers in the early going. Entering Tuesday, Winn was hitting .268 with three home runs and two stolen bases. If Winn begins to use his speed and develops some more pop, he will certainly be a perennial 20-20 guy for the Cardinals.
Winn's youth also helps him here, as entering the 2030 season, he will be 28 years old and will be entering the early prime of his career. If Winn's bat develops, $100 million may be an understatement for the contract the Cardinals shortstop is set to receive.
The Cardinals could buy into their shortstop of the future and get him on the books early before his price skyrockets as he continues to develop as a major league hitter.
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About the writer
Hunter Mulholland is a Newsweek contributor based in St. Louis, Missouri. His focus is MLB Content. Hunter has been with ... Read more