Cards want to build around Wong, not trade him

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — As the Cardinals continue to explore the trade market for a potential outfield addition, it’s no surprise that clubs have often asked for top prospects in return. But there has also been widespread interest in players who have already ascended to the Majors, one of those being second baseman Kolten Wong.

Though Wong, who signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract in March, has not yet pieced together six consecutive months of steady production, his athleticism, age (Wong turned 26 in October) and contract are appealing to several other clubs. The catch, however, is that the Cardinals are bullish on Wong’s potential for the same reasons.

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While general manager John Mozeliak will trade anyone for the right return, parting with Wong would require a pivot in the team’s offseason plans. A big reason why the club has zeroed in on improving its outfield instead of adjusting the infield look is because it believes Wong’s presence at second will address the team’s stated priorities of improving defensively and injecting athleticism onto the roster.

“None of us have shied away from the fact that this should be a top-tier defender at second base,” manager Mike Matheny said of Wong. “And we’re never going to back off that, and neither should he. … He’s going to have to go out there, and he’s going to have to fight through some …

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