Cardinals Possible Match For Starter Seeking MLB Comeback After Dominant International Stint

The St. Louis Cardinals are hunting for starting pitchers this offseason but they won't be alone.

Many ballclubs will also be pursuing starting pitchers and the Cardinals may have to get creative to add depth to their rotation.

One potential acquisition could be found from an international talent who is eyeing a Major League Baseball comeback.

"Adam Plutko is a free agent looking to return to MLB after two excellent years in Korea," the New York Post's John Heyman tweeted Wednesday.

Plutko posted a 26-8 record with a 2.40 ERA, 250-to-69 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a 1.08 WHIP in 285 1/3 innings pitched for the LG Twins.

The 32-year-old appears to have improved his game since posting a 6.71 ERA for the Baltimore Orioles in 2021, which led to his move to the Korean Baseball Organization.

One might attribute Plutko's recent success to pitching in a lower-level league, however, his slider spin rate improved from 2,486 to 2,592 with more break according to Heyman.

It still must be considered that the right-handed pitcher recorded an unimpressive 14-14 record with a 5.39 ERA, 200-to-85 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .273 batting average against and a 1.38 WHIP in 273 2/3 innings pitched over the course of his five-year MLB career.

Plutko might not be a high-caliber starter but his addition to the Cardinals' depth would give them options they might not otherwise have. Teams need roughly 10 starters to get through a 162-game season, and while he might not make the starting five, he certainly could qualify as a spot starter with a chance to earn a larger role down the road.

Signing a veteran looking to prove himself again might just be in St. Louis' best interests.

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