Cardinals Roster Shakeup Could Pave Way For Top Prospect Masyn Winn's Debut

The St. Louis Cardinals are just days away from making notable adjustments to the current roster, potentially opening the door for the club's top prospect.

Shortstop Paul DeJong has a one-year, $12.5 million club option for 2024 that St. Louis is highly unlikely to accept, essentially making him an impending free agent. For that reason, he's deemed a likely trade candidate in the coming days.

A trade of DeJong could open the door for the Cardinals polarizing top prospect, shortstop Masyn Winn. With the season all but over, St. Louis can use the latter half of the season to get Winn acclimated to the big leagues, and he appears ready for the opportunity.

Winn is hitting .288 with 34 extra-base hits including 14 home runs, 52 RBIs and a .821 OPS in 90 games with Triple-A Memphis after a slow start. 

The 21-year-old is the No. 43 prospect in the league according to MLB Pipeline after being drafted in the second round of the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. 

If the Cardinals do indeed move on from DeJong, Winn would be a likely replacement. Tommy Edman -- who is expected to remain on the roster -- could handle the shortstop role, but why not throw the top guy in the farm system out there and see what he can do?