Veteran Fireballer Seen As Possible Option To Bolster Cardinals' Bullpen
The St. Louis Cardinals could have another move up their sleeve.
St. Louis is already looking like a better club on paper. The Cardinals finished in last place in the National League Central in what was one of the worst seasons for the club in recent memory.
The Cardinals had high expectations entering the 2023 campaign but never were able to get on track. St. Louis' biggest areas of struggle last season were the starting rotation and bullpen.
St. Louis already has improved both the rotation and bullpen this offseason, but another move could make sense.
One player who has been floated as a possible option is former Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros fireballer Ryne Stanek, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.
"Definitely a fit based on what the Cardinals have said they want to add," Goold said. "I've not been able to confirm an offer or direct contact. But that's more on my end than on the team's pursuits."
Stanek is one of the top remaining free-agent relief pitchers and would make a lot of sense for St. Louis. He won't cost much and finished in the 96th percentile in fastball velocity last season with Houston.
His numbers didn't jump off the paper as he logged a 4.09 ERA in 55 appearances in 2023 but he had an eye-popping 1.15 ERA in 59 appearances in 2022.
If he could return to that level of play, he could be a massive pickup for St. Louis.
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