Guardians DFA Hurler With Strong Track Record; Cardinals Would Be Perfect Fit

After suffering one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the St. Louis Cardinals are looking to rebound by restocking their pitching arsenal.

The Cardinals will be looking to fill major holes in the pitching staff this offseason after losing three of their top starting pitchers -- Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery at the trade deadline and Adam Wainwright to retirement.

All possible options are being explored during this offseason to retool the rotation but a recent roster move by the Cleveland Guardians might have given the Cardinals one answer they are looking for.

The Guardians designated right-hander Cal Quantrill for assignment on Tuesday to make room on the 40-man roster for players who needed to be protected from the Major League Baseball Rule 5 Draft, the team announced.

Quantrill had a rocky 2023 season that included missing a chunk of time due to a right shoulder injury but rebounded to post a 2.76 ERA in his final six starts.

The right-hander has had an impressive career that warrants accreditation as a reliable hurler -- making this move by the Guardians all the more surprising.

Quantrill holds a record of 35-23 with a 3.83 ERA, 427-to-165 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .254 batting average against, and a 1.26 WHIP in 570 2/3 innings pitched throughout his five seasons in the league.

The Cardinals would be wise to place a waiver claim for Quantrill, preventing him from even reaching free agency.

While the priority will be to go shopping for frontline starters, improving depth should be on the agenda as well.

There's a chance Quantrill could even count as that third prove-it-year starter Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has been seeking -- though adding the 28-year-old certainly should not be an excuse to be any less active in free agency.

More MLB: Cardinals Hurler Elects Free Agency After Promising Season With St. Louis