The question is: does the trade make St. Louis World Series favorites? The simple answer is yes, why not, but unlike basketball and football adding one good player does not immediately impact the entire team. Look at Anaheim with Trout, they haven't won a playoff game with him on the roster and they even added Anthony Rendon this past offseason and still missed the playoffs. The difference between Anaheim and St. Louis is, St. Louis won a playoff series just two seasons ago and the team hasn't gone through major changes. Adding Nolan to a top heavy batting rotation might not of been the best thing to do but it sure has brought hope to the fans and coverage from the media.
In a vacuum the acquisition makes the team a contender, but in reality baseball is a team sport.
Losing Kolten Wong, a gold glove winner at 2nd base a year ago, will effect the team maybe more than gaining Arenado. The pitching rotation has done nothing but get older this offseason, although the retaining of Adam Wainwright made Yadier Molina stick around for one more year.
Despite the negatives I've mentioned, Jack Flaherty will be in CY Young contention this year, Tommy Edman will play fantastic at 2nd, his natural position, Tyler O'Neil and Dylan Carlson with take major leaps this season, and not to mention Paul Goldschmidt is still playing first base for this team. All of that makes St. Louis a top 3 team in the National League with the Dodgers and Braves, and I'll say it, the St. louis Cardinals will be your 2021 World Series Champions.
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