Cardinals legend discusses rebuild, predicts team will spend money

After finishing 83-79 and missing the postseason for the second consecutive year, the St. Louis Cardinals are set to enter a rebuild of sorts.

How drastic this rebuild will be remains to be seen, but they could be trading players such as Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Ryan Helsley, and Nolan Arenado.

However, franchise legend and current FOX Sports analyst Adam Wainwright pumped the brakes on the notion that a full rebuild is necessary and even predicted that they'll spend some money.

"That would be a bad thing for St. Louis. We don't really have patience for a five-year rebuild in St. Louis. That's not going to be met with a whole lot of happy thoughts," Wainwright said. "I do think the Cardinals need to get back to the system where they draft really well. Developing players has always been the strength of the St. Louis Cardinals and I think they'll get back to that. I don't think they'll have a full rebuild. They'll go out and spend some money too."

Wainwright was always the eternal optimist during his playing days, and he clearly is remaining positive about the state of his former team.

Changes are coming in St. Louis, and it's likely that they will be saying goodbye to some players. But as Wainwright notes, that doesn't necessarily mean a full rebuild.

St. Louis could spend some money too. They likely won't splurge on top talent, but could still bring in some solid players and build around their young core.

But if anybody knows the ins and outs of the organization, it would be Wainwright, who played his entire 18-year career as a Cardinal.

The Cardinals may be taking a step back from contention, but it likely won't be a full rebuild, but it will be interesting to see how they approach the offseason and if Wainwright's predictions come true.

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