Cardinals Reportedly Will Be In Mix For Former All-Star Pitcher; Bounce-Back Candidate
The St. Louis Cardinals may end up taking some chances this offseason.
After one of the worst seasons in team history in 2023, St. Louis certainly needs to. The Cardinals need to get back on track and it's clear the club needs to make some major swings this offseason. St. Louis already has been linked to some top-of-the-rotation arms like Minnesota Twins ace Sonny Gray and Orix Buffaloes star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but the club will need to add high-upside depth as well.
One player who could fit this description perfectly is Cleveland Guardians hurler Lucas Giolito, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
"Giolito was one of the top targets at the Trade Deadline, but his move to Anaheim was a disaster -- he went 1-5 with a 6.89 ERA in six starts with the Angels -- while his season-ending stint with the Guardians was somehow worse (1-4, 7.04 ERA in six starts)," Feinsand said. "Nobody will confuse Giolito with a bonafide ace, but the 29-year-old has been a proven innings-eater and will likely be paid accordingly. Potential fits: Cardinals, (Arizona Diamondbacks), (Boston Red Sox)."
The 29-year-old certainly is a buy-low candidate. He impressed with the Chicago White Sox to begin the year and compiled a 3.79 ERA across 21 starts but struggled after being traded away. St. Louis could land him on a prove-it deal and pencil him in as a No. 3 or No. 4 starter with upside. At one point he was one of the best starting pitchers in the American League but has been inconsistent over the last two seasons.
Maybe a change of scenery could help get him back to star form. Giolito may not be the biggest name on the market but he will be cheap and could give the Cardinals the spending flexibility to also land a star like Gray or Yamamoto. The Major League Baseball offseason officially is upon us and rumors are about to exponentially increase.
More MLB: Cardinals Reportedly Could Land Veteran Hurler From Rival Cubs This Offseason
