Cardinals Reportedly 'In The Mix' For Elite Flamethrower To Bolster Bullpen
The St. Louis Cardinals already have improved the starting rotation this offseason and now the club needs to put that same focus on the bullpen.
St. Louis' had the 23rd-ranked bullpen ERA in 2023 and needs to make at least one or two high-level additions to help fix this. The Cardinals' improved rotation should help as hypothetically there will be less strain on the bullpen, but additions need to be made.
One player St. Louis reportedly is pursuing is former Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays flamethrower Jordan Hicks, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.
"I don't get the sense they're pursuing (Jordan Montgomery)," Goold said. "He would fall under the free-agent umbrella, to which (John Mozeliak) has said he 'doubts' adding another free-agent pitcher. That would include the lefty. Hicks is another matter.
"He's in the mix for a return as one of the relievers the Cardinals are trying to add. I don't have a feel for a power ranking on that group, to be honest. I know they've had conversations with a handful of agents. But to the point of making offers? That had not happened yet, based on the description I received in Nashville. If that's changed, it's changed in the past day or so."
Hicks has been linked to the Cardinals on multiple occasions at this point and it isn't surprising. The 27-year-old spent the first four-plus seasons of his career in St. Louis before being traded to the Blue Jays this past season.
The fireballer has developed into an elite bullpen option and shined after being traded to the Blue Jays. Hicks logged a 2.63 ERA in 25 outings with Toronto after the trade deadline.
Don't be surprised if speculation begins to pick up even more about a reunion as the free-agent bullpen market begins to take shape.
More MLB: Dodgers Hurler Reportedly Was 'Open To A Return' To Cardinals Before Signing
