Two-Time All-Star Could Be Option If Cardinals Want To Add More Rotation Depth
Opening Day may be right around the corner, but that doesn't mean there won't be a flurry of free-agent signings in the near future.
There are a handful of solid options still out there in free agency and that number likely will increase as teams begin to cut Spring Training rosters down.
The St. Louis Cardinals are a club that could make sense to make an addition or two. St. Louis -- like many clubs -- already has dealt with injuries to the starting rotation.
Top free agent addition Sonny Gray has been hampered in camp with a hamstring injury. While things have been progressing nicely and he may not miss much time if any in the regular season, starting pitching depth remains a serious concern for St. Louis.
The Cardinals struggled in 2023 due to struggles in the starting rotation so the club should have even more motivation to add more depth. Gray may not miss much time but the Cardinals are one serious injury away from possibly having another season like last year.
St. Louis may not make another splashy signing -- like a reunion with Jordan Montgomery -- but a veteran depth signing should be in the cards. One player who could make a lot of sense is two-time All-Star Johnny Cueto.
He's a 16-year big league veteran and is looking for his next opportunity. Cueto struggled last season with the Miami Marlins and had a 6.02 ERA in 13 appearances, but was much better in 2022. He had a 3.35 ERA in 2022 with the Chicago White Sox to go along with a 102-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Because of his struggles last season, he likely could be signed to a very cheap big-league deal or even a minor-league contract. St. Louis does seem to be in a better place, but it could never hurt to add more cheap, veteran depth.
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