5 steps Cardinals can take to catch Cubs

Is this the start of a Cubs dynasty? Not if the Cardinals can prevent it.

Given how a young team ran away from the competition in the National League Central last season, it sure looks like the Cubs could be on top for years. But don’t forget who they have to beat en route to hanging up more banners at Wrigley Field.

The Cardinals owned the longest postseason streak in the Major Leagues until the Giants swept the Dodgers the last weekend of the 2016 regular season, leaving Mike Matheny’s team one win short of forcing a one-game tiebreaker for the final NL Wild Card spot. But they’re not turning into the Washington Generals any time soon.

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Here’s a five-step plan to put St. Louis back on top:

1. Sign Dexter Fowler to take over as the center fielder and leadoff man Paying whatever it takes to keep Fowler from returning to Wrigley Field returns the favor to the Cubs for signing John Lackey and Jason Heyward last offseason. Fowler’s athleticism would change the feel of the Cardinals’ lineup and defense, giving them a strength up the middle they’ve lacked in recent seasons.

While there’s a risk to signing Fowler to a five-year deal that would run through his age-35 season, Fowler and Matt Carpenter would immediately form one of the best combinations of 1-2 hitters in the Major Leagues.

If it turns out Fowler is only using outside interests to drive up his price to re-sign with the Cubs, then add the best defensive center fielder you can find — Jake Marisnick, maybe — and go from there.

2. (Chris) Sale, Sale, Sale! How great would this stud be spending his age-28-30 seasons in the NL, freed from Miguel Cabrera and given a chance for a few easy outs a game? How much un-fun would it be for the Cubs to go up against this rotation of Sale, Carlos Martinez, Alex Reyes, Adam Wainwright and Mike Leake for the next three years?

There are teams in a better situation to trade for Sale — the Dodgers, Red Sox and …

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