Cardinals Makes Major Shakeups As They Sign Lucrative Deal With Top MVP Pitcher
The Cardinals have officially been ruled out of the playoff race. While they can’t finish the season below .500, marking a small improvement, it’s still not enough to deem this season a success.
Last offseason emphasized pitching, but this year should prioritize both pitching and offense. The pitching has mostly met expectations, yet I believe it still needs attention.
Although Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn performed adequately, their signings last offseason were underwhelming for many fans. Therefore, I think the Cardinals should let both options lapse.
This does leave gaps in the rotation, but they could potentially fill one with a stronger option: former Cardinal Michael Wacha.
Since his 2022 season with the Red Sox, Wacha has shown the promise the Cardinals hoped for when he was named NLCS MVP in 2013. I mentioned last week that had the Cardinals opted for Wacha and Seth Lugo instead of Gibson and Lynn, their rotation could be much stronger now.
Let’s be realistic: the Cardinals aren’t going to sign top pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, or Max Fried. As much as I’d love that, it’s unlikely.
Wacha, however, could provide significant impact at about half the cost. The 33-year-old boasts a 13-8 record in 29 starts with a solid 3.35 ERA, making him a strong candidate for a No. 2 starter if signed.
This is crucial for St. Louis to become a contender again. I acknowledge there are deeper issues within the organization, particularly in player development, as noted by Bernie Miklasz. Still, Wacha could genuinely benefit the team.
Personally, I would prefer signing Wacha over Shane Bieber. While Bieber might be cheaper due to his injury, that injury will likely sideline him for a significant part of the 2025 season. In contrast, Wacha should be ready to go from the start of 2025, barring any setbacks.
I realize this isn’t a flashy move, but fans may need to temper expectations. It will take time for the Cardinals to become World Series contenders again. However, making solid moves like this can help them improve while addressing other critical organizational issues.
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