The St. Louis Cardinals Should Go All Out For Alexei Ramirez

Sep 27, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Ramirez (10) hits a single against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals are coming off of their 19th NL pennant in the storied history. However, if the Cardinals want to get over the hump and potentially create a dynasty, they need to add another bat.

Enter Alexei Ramirez.

Pete Kozma is an outstanding defensive shortstop, but he can’t hit to save his life. If he can learn to hit, he would be an invaluable piece in the Cardinals infield. The Cardinals can’t take that risk. In the national league, you can’t have your 8th batter be a liability all the time. Eventually he has to produce.

Alexei Ramirez is the perfect solution for the Cardinals. He is a fantastic base runner. He had 30 stolen base in 2013 so for the Cardinals who finished dead last in stolen bases, he would give the threat of a steal on the base path.

He is also durable. In his six years on the south side of Chicago, he has never played less than 130 games. His defense is average. He is ranked 14th on the active shortstop list in fielding. If Pete Kozma had enough innings to make that list, he would be ranked 2nd behind Troy Tulowitzki.

Some of you may ask why wouldn’t the Cardinals go after Tulowitzki? He is an outstanding defensive shortstop and he can hit well. The problem with Tulowitzki is he isn’t as durable as Alexei Ramirez and he cost more money. Also, the asking price from the Colorado Rockies might be too high for the Cardinals.

So if the Cardinals want to get someone who can hit the ball, play shortstop, be durable and comes at a reasonable price. The answer is Alexei Ramirez