Veteran MLB Insider Hints Cardinals Could Land Former All-Star Pitcher This Offseason
The St. Louis Cardinals likely will be one of the most active teams in the starting pitching free agent market this upcoming offseason.
St. Louis has a lot of work to do. The Cardinals seemingly will be building a brand new starting rotation this offseason. St. Louis will be filling at least three rotation spots and could end up needing more. Luckily for them, the starting pitching free agent market will be extremely deep. St. Louis already has started being linked to possible options and reportedly could be a possible fit for Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola along with the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
"He is not a high-velocity, swing-and-miss type, but as an old-school starter who takes the pressure off his team’s bullpen, Nola figures to be in demand," Rosenthal said. "He might not approach the six-year, $162 million deal the (New York Yankees) awarded Carlos Rodón last offseason. But with the Red Sox, Cardinals, and Dodgers among the many teams that need top-of-the-rotation starters, he should fare well."
Nola likely will have a big market despite a down year. The one-time All-Star has compiled a 4.46 ERA this year but has a career 3.72 ERA across his nine-year big league career. Although he has somewhat struggled this year, he likely will have a big market because of his durability. Nola has reached at least 200 innings pitched in three of the last four full seasons -- not including the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign -- and is extremely close this season with 193 2/3 innings pitched.
St. Louis has dealt with injuries and inconsistent play this year and Nola is the type of pitcher that could help fix the club's issues. The Cardinals need some help and have plenty of money to spend. Nola has been listed as a possible fit in the past and it sounds like those rumors will continue.
