Cy Young Front-Runner Reportedly Asking Around About Joining Cardinals This Winter
The St. Louis Cardinals could end up making one of the biggest splashes in baseball this offseason.
St. Louis had a disastrous 2023 season, to say the least, and has since stated its goal of transforming its starting rotation. This will be done by adding at least three starting pitchers in free agency or through trade. One player who reportedly has asked around about joining the Cardinals in free agency reportedly is San Diego Padres star Blake Snell, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.
"His 11.7 strikeout rate is the highest of any free-agent starter available as of Sunday evening," Goold said. "This past season he went 14-9 with a league-best 2.25 ERA for the Padres, and in 180 innings he allowed only 115 hits. His league-high 99 walks were diluted by the fact his 234 strikeouts were still more than his hits and walks allowed combined.
"As free agency neared, Snell privately asked what it’s like to be a Cardinal, what it’s like to call St. Louis a baseball home. His next contract will give him the stability and longevity he did not have going from a World Series team in Tampa Bay to a team that fell short of its aspirations in San Diego."
St. Louis seemingly has been linked to every big-name hurler available already. Snell would be a solid pick-up if the club could get a deal done. The lefty is the front-runner to win the National League Cy Young Award and immediately would pencil in as St. Louis' No. 1 starter. He led the league with a 2.25 ERA in 2023 and is just 30 years old. The Cardinals need to make a splash and it sounds like Snell at least has some interest in a partnership.
More MLB: Cardinals Reportedly Will Be In Contention To Land One Of Most Sought-After Star Pitchers
