Retooling the rotation has been the St. Louis Cardinals’ major objective this summer, and they’ve done a respectable job of it thus far.
The Cardinals’ rotation has been strengthened by adding right-hand pitcher Kyle Gibson, former Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn, and American League Cy Young winner Sonny Gray.
Following the most recent acquisitions, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak stated that St. Louis is happy with the rotation and would focus on strengthening the bullpen while being open to additional options.
Having said that, a possibility that would increase the Cardinals’ chances of winning in 2024 is the short-term deal that former St. Lous pitcher Michael Wacha would receive.
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Over the previous two seasons, while playing for the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres, Wacha has gone 25-6 with a 3.27 ERA (127 ERA+), 228 to 74 strikeout to walk ratio,.228 batting average against, and 1.14 WHIP in 261 1/3 innings over 47 starts.
The 32-year-old free agent would be a fantastic addition to the Cardinals’ rotation as he is having a great season.
The right-hander is a starting pitcher that is in the center of the market, thus his average yearly worth would likely be comparable to Gibson and Lynn’s compensation expenses.
Gray’s deal has a backload, so the Cardinals’ obligation to him for this season is merely $10 million. They ought to take advantage of that additional salary space by adding another starting pitcher, maybe by agreeing to a short-term contract with Wacha.
There are rumors that the Cardinals rotation won’t be sufficient to improve the team’s fortunes in the upcoming season. Wacha would make sense, but adding a high-leverage pitcher like Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Jordan Montgomery is doubtful at this time.
Will the Cardinals try one more time to deepen their rotation in 2024?
