ST. LOUIS -- As the Cardinals prepare to construct their roster for 2019, their work entails not only building a wish list of potential additions, but also deciding which returning players still have a fit.
Some of those decisions are obvious, of course. Yadier Molina will be back behind the plate. Miles Mikolas will help anchor the rotation. Matt Carpenter will be a leadoff hitter. ... You get the point.
But while the fit may be obvious for some, others face an uncertain future. Let's take a look at five such players whose place in the Cardinals' plans seems tenuous for now.
Brett Cecil
2018 refresh: In 40 appearances, Cecil posted a 6.89 ERA and 1.96 WHIP over 32 2/3 innings. Lefties slashed .310/.379/.483 against him, and he was twice placed on the disabled list (left shoulder strain; right foot inflammation).
2019 outlook: The Cardinals need a reliable, late-innings lefty, though it'd be unwise to assume Cecil will rebound to fill that void. The club would like to get some return out of the $15 million he will be paid through 2020, but the leash is short. They seem willing to eat most of that contract if a trade partner emerges for the 32-year-old reliever. Of course, Cecil's results the past two years haven't done much to generate interest. The Cards could release him if they need the roster spot this winter or give him one more opportunity to show he can contribute this spring.
John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations: "This year, obviously, was a lost season, and we have to decide if he's the right answer for us or not. Sometimes a change of scenery isn't the worst thing for someone."

William Fowler
2018 refresh: Fowler endured a dismal first half, slashing .176/.270/.297 while dealing with growing tension with his manager. Then, just as things started to turn under manager Mike Shildt, Fowler suffered a season-ending left foot fracture in early August.
2019 outlook: Fowler, 32, continues to heal, and his recovery from that foot injury will help the Cards gauge his potential impact for next year. He could return as the team's right fielder or be pushed out of a starting spot if the Cards acquire an outfielder this offseason. The latter is a very real possibility, especially with the interest in Bryce Harper. If the Cardinals do add a right fielder, that could also prompt Fowler to consider waiving his no-trade clause rather than returning as the team's fourth outfielder.
Mozeliak: "He has to have a very good offseason. He has to show that he's ready to commit and get back to where he once was. And, if he does that, then that's a great internal solution."

Luke Gregerson
2018 refresh: After signing an $11 million contract and entering spring as the leading candidate to open the season as closer, Gregerson ended up making only 17 appearances. He fought injuries all year and spent time on the DL with hamstring, knee and shoulder issues.
2019 outlook: The Cardinals truly have no idea what to project for Gregerson's second year on the team. The club is hopeful that last year's limited workload will benefit a 34-year-old pitcher who averaged 74 appearances per season the previous nine years. But there's also legitimate concern that he's breaking down. Similar to Cecil, Gregerson will likely have to show the Cardinals early on that he's still able to contribute to hold a roster spot.
Mozeliak: "When you talk about the volatility of bullpen, here's a classic example of someone where there's a lot of wear and tear on that tire. He threw a lot. So, you're sort of questioning how much is left."

Carson Kelly
2018 refresh: Expected to serve as Molina's backup last season, Kelly fell on the depth chart in Spring Training and started only 11 games behind the plate for the Cardinals. He went 4-for-35 with no extra-base hits.
2019 outlook: Kelly has spent parts of the past three seasons in Triple-A. Now, he's at a crossroads. The organization's top catching project is a likely candidate to work behind Molina in St. Louis next year, but the club also has to figure out how to keep Kelly sharp if Molina doesn't reduce his workload. Kelly will turn 25 years old next season, and the Cardinals risk wasting some of his best years if they don't use him as a trade asset or find meaningful spots for him to contribute at the big league level.
Mozeliak: "I don't think there is a lot left for him to prove at Memphis. So giving him a shot at catching at the Major League level is something that I think we all have to be open to."

Jose Martinez
2018 refresh: The team's most consistent hitter from start to finish, Martinez produced a 124 OPS+ while leading the club with a .305 batting average. He became the Cardinals' everyday right fielder after Fowler was sidelined and appeared in more games (152) than anyone on the club except Carpenter.
2019 outlook: Offensively, Martinez would have a fit anywhere. The continued conundrum is the lack of a defensive fit. Martinez was too much a liability to put at first base, and while he played a serviceable right field, that's a position the Cards would like to upgrade or give back to Fowler. Where does that leave the 30-year-old Martinez? Likely on the trading block. He profiles much better as a designated hitter and thus could be a player the Cards try to flip to an American League team to address another need.
Mozeliak: "He absolutely can have a fit here. Does that mean it's his best fit? I don't know that. As you look at the offseason and try to understand what we could or could not explore, that is something we would have to think through."