Orioles Reportedly Sign Ex-Cardinals Fan Favorite, Two-Time Gold Glove Winner
The St. Louis Cardinals have been busy this offseason retooling their pitching staff and making other roster adjustments to ensure a successful 2024 season.
The latest signing of four-time Gold Glove infielder Brandon Crawford gave the Cardinals a backup to rising star Masyn Winn -- who is projected to be the starting shortstop come Opening Day.
The Cardinals have strong position-player depth so it's no surprise to see the club pass on a reunion with a former fan favorite.
"The (Baltimore) Orioles have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with infielder Kolten Wong, who will join the club in big-league camp," MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported Wednesday.
Wong hit .261 with 202 extra-base hits including 53 home runs, 281 RBIs and a .717 OPS throughout his eight-season career in St. Louis. The former St. Louis infielder earned back-to-back Gold Glove awards in his final two seasons playing for the Cardinals.
The 33-year-old signed with the Milwaukee Brewers following his tenure with St. Louis and then bounced around to the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The veteran second baseman logged a .183/.256/.263 slash line in only 87 games played between his time with the Mariners and Dodgers in 2023 -- arguably the worst season of his career.
St. Louis infielder Nolan Gorman has the second base position locked up and the Cardinals have a plethora of backup options available -- including top prospect Thomas Saggese who could earn his debut if he continues to dominate.
The Cardinals don't need to be pursuing position players right now but they could benefit from adding another starting pitcher or high-leverage reliever -- although that is unlikely to occur at this point.
More MLB: Ex-Cardinals Star Reportedly Not Interested In Reunion Despite Seeking New Deal
