Cardinals Hurler Open To Returning Next Season Even If He's Traded At Deadline
The St. Louis Cardinals are on the precipice of losing some key players in the coming days as the trade deadline approaches.
That said, one hurler appears to be open to calling Busch Stadium home again, even if he gets traded in the coming days.
Right-hander Jack Flaherty was emotional after what likely will be his last start with the Cardinals this season but would not rule out a return to the organization over the winter -- when he will be a free agent. He did, however, acknowledge that the two sides have failed to reach an agreement on an extension in the past.
"His jersey is in the laundry hamper, his gear packed, Flaherty said leaving the Cardinals clubhouse does not mean he’ll close that door behind him," St. Louis Post-Dispatches Derrick Goold wrote Thursday. "He’ll leave it open as a free agent."
"Some of it’s not in my control, and we’ve had our opportunities and our chances -- but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be open to it,” Flaherty told Goold in regards to contract talks. “All these guys here and we know what this team has. Nolan (Arenado) for a couple of more years. Goldy (Paul Goldschmidt) at least one more. You see what the offense can do. So, whatever is going to give me a chance to win, and here they’ve got the guys to do it.”
Flaherty has a 4.43 ERA with a 106-to-54 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .278 batting average against and 1.55 WHIP in 109 2/3 innings across 20 starts this season.
The 27-year-old is not the ace he once appeared to be but still has a 97 ERA+, meaning he's just a tick below league average.
The Cardinals pitching staff need a major makeover this offseason but that does not mean they should rule out Flaherty. It does mean that if he is to return, he'll do so as a backend starter. If not, St. Louis did not do enough.
One of the best moves in Major League Baseball is to trade an impending free agent for quality prospects and then bringing him back over the winter -- obtaining both the player and prospects over a two-month span. The Cardinals are in a position to do that with either him or Jordan Montgomery as they plan on competing next season.
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