The St. Louis Cardinals may make a deal or two before the end of the day.
The Major League Baseball non-tender deadline is about to pass on Friday, and the Cardinals will have to make some difficult decisions. Clubs must determine whether to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players; if not, they will be non-tendered and available for free agency.
Starting pitcher Dakota Hudson is one guy on whom the Cardinals must make a decision. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Cardinals have been in talks with clubs about a possible trade for the 29-year-old.
“The Cardinals are shopping Dakota Hudson “very hard” today, per source, meaning he could be a non-tender candidate if he’s not moved,” Feinsand said.
Hudson was taken in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft by the Cardinals and has spent his whole professional career with the team. In 2023, he appeared in 18 games for the Cardinals, including 12 starts, and had a 4.98 ERA in 81 1/3 innings pitched.
His best season was unquestionably in 2019. Hudson pitched in 33 games, including 32 starts, for a 3.35 ERA and a 16-7 record. Hudson has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and is unlikely to play much for St. Louis in 2024.
This summer, the Cardinals hope to sign several starting pitchers, including a couple top-tier free agents. St. Louis is attempting to rebuild its rotation, and Hudson appears to be out of the picture.
