If the Cardinals aren’t calling Trevor Story, they weren’t watching the Wild Card game

LOS ANGELES — As the dust settled in the wake of the Los Angeles Dodgers beating the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Wild Card Game on Wednesday night, one thing was very clear. If the Cardinals were not picking up the phone to call Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story on Thursday morning, they didn’t see what so many saw on national television and in-person at Dodger Stadium the night before.

St. Louis walked off the field on the short end of a 3-1 Wild Card classic, thanks in part to a lack of offense as well as another blown opportunity by Cardinals reliever Alex Reyes.

However, there were plenty of moments throughout the game where Cardinals shortstop Edmundo Sosa looked, at best, shaky on defense, putting additional pressure on St. Louis pitching.

By the way, Sosa also went 0-for-4 at the plate, one of five St. Louis position players to not record a hit in the Wild Card loss.

So the Cardinals need to step up their defense and add another offensive weapon to make themselves stronger contenders to go deeper in the postseason. Trevor Story has gone on record to say that winning is important to him and he’ll get looking at the rosters of potential teams to see where might be the best fit for him now that his contract with the Colorado Rockies has expired.

He has also said that among the people he has consulted with and likely will again this offseason about his future is Nolan Arenado. Yes, that third baseman who he played beside in Colorado and just walked off the field in frustration after another early postseason exit on Wednesday night.

Arenado, by the way, went 0-for-4 and well and left five runners in scoring position.

The Cardinals need Story. Can they shuffle the payroll around enough to actually make it happen and convince Story that playing at Busch Stadium is best for his future? The latter is likely easier to happen than the former. However, if the Cardinals sense they could reunite Colorado’s left side of the infield in St. Louis, don’t be surprised if they jump at the opportunity and figure out a way to shuffle some dollars around.

It may not be what Rockies fans want to hear, but the Cardinals’ desire to boost their shortstop position skyrocketed after Wednesday’s loss. Don’t be surprised if calls haven’t already been made and thoughts haven’t already been exchanged about the possibility of Story joining Arenado in St. Louis.