And so, the Cards will try to trade for a starting major-league center fielder. At first glance, I wondered if it made sense to include Bader in a trade for this fellow. A person can say you can afford to give up one center fielder if you’re trading for another, right? But I don’t think it’s that cut-and-dried. Bader is only 22 and he’s already reached Class AAA (he was born two weeks before the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase). The Cards have numerous years of control of Bader — something they cherish in a prospect or asset. And maybe Bader’s existence gives the Cards flexibility on which center fielder they acquire: They could keep him and get a short-term fix in center for 2017 and 2018. Also, maybe they just shouldn’t trade him because he’s really good.

“Obviously you hear chatter” about trades, Bader said. “For the most part, it all comes down to: That’s out of my hands. What’s in my hands is the way I prepare, the way I come ready for spring training — and the way I leave spring training and start the season.”