Ex-Cardinals Homegrown All-Star Linked To Division Rival On The Rise
Could one of the most-hyped former homegrown St. Louis Cardinals pitchers suit up for a division rival next season?
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak wasted no time beefing up the club's rotation after their first last-place finish in the National League Central since 1990. In his efforts, he brought back Lance Lynn.
Another impactful hurler that debuted in the same Cardinals era remains on the market but could get scooped up by an inter-division rival on the rise, the Cincinnati Reds.
"Sources: Reds active on free agent and trade markets as they search for a starting pitcher," MLB.com's Jon Morosi reported Tuesday. "Shane Bieber, who has trained at Driveline this offseason, is one name they've checked on via trade. Michael Wacha and Lucas Giolito are among their free agent options."
Wacha has gone 25-6 with a 3.27 ERA (127 ERA+), 228-to-74 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .228 batting average against and 1.14 WHIP in 261 1/3 innings across 47 starts over the last two seasons since renovating himself with the Boston Red Sox in 2022 and then heading to the San Diego Padres the following season.
Now Wacha finds himself in position to capitalize on his recent success, and could cash in with the Reds.
The Cardinals are presumed to be done adding starters and have even said that if another addition were to be made, it would likely be via trade.
However, St. Louis should explore a reunion with Wacha, once tabbed the next great Cardinals starter before a rocky end to his tenure at Busch Stadium.
Wacha found his groove and has been comfortable pursuing short-term deals as of late. With Sonny Gray's backloaded contract, the Cardinals could reasonably afford to sign him.
If not, they might be forced to oppose him multiple times a year.
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