3 Moves Cardinals Can Make After Marcell Ozuna Signed With the Braves

The Atlanta Braves pulled off quite the shocker on Tuesday when it was revealed that they signed outfielder Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $18 million contract, adding an All-Star bat to an already-crowded outfield.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos swooped in and stole him right from under the St. Louis Cardinals' nose. Given the club's lack of action this winter, it was largely forecasted that Ozuna would, at some point, agree to return to St. Louis at a discount.

Now, the Cards' hands are tied. Let's help them out a bit by highlighting a few players that they can target in the fallout of this eye-opener.

3. Cameron Maybin

If not for the sheer depth on the Yankees roster, Maybin absolutely would have been penciled in on Aaron Boone's daily lineup card. The 33-year-old veteran proved, with a .285/.364/.494 slash line, that he can be tasked with an everyday starting role. The thought of acquiring Maybin shouldn't necessarily thrill Cards fans, but their club could do A LOT worse.

2. Yasiel Puig

In terms of players that the Cardinals can bring in on the cheap, Puig certainly fills that bill. At 29 years old, the Cuban native can deliver north of 20 home runs and 70 RBI. He would provide a stable glove in the outfield, and we all know about his cannon arm. Puig catches a lot of flack for his theatrics, but he produces, and production is what St. Louis needs in the middle of their lineup following the loss of Ozuna.

1. Nicholas Castellanos

The Cubs have decided to pinch their pennies this offseason, leaving a horde of Windy City natives enraged. Castellanos is still braving the free agency waters, and St. Louis has no excuse not to bring him in after losing out on Ozuna. He turns 28 in March, so he's very much in the prime of his career. Castellanos slashed .289/.337/.525 alongside 27 home runs, 73 RBI, 58 doubles, and 100 runs scored. That's consistency you won't find elsewhere at this stage of the winter.