Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Could Benefit From Signing $11.5 Million Veteran

The Cardinals should sign David Robertson, even if it's only to trade him later.
Zach Pressnell|
Sep 12, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher David Robertson (37) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Sep 12, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher David Robertson (37) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have seemingly thrown the season away due to the front office's lack of moves over the offseason, but the fans shouldn't look at it as a year down the drain. In fact, this season is crucial for building the future of the franchise as the young players get their chance to shine.

But the Cardinals could look to add a free agent who would be the complete opposite of the young core that's already in St. Louis. David Robertson, formerly of the Texas Rangers, might be closing in on 40 years old, but he would be a solid pickup for the Cardinals for a few different reasons.

First of all, the righty would likely sign for very cheap at this point. Alongside that, the worst case scenario with signing him would be he's a veteran leader in the clubhouse. Even if he signs and struggles on the mound, Robertson could be a very good leader in a relatively young clubhouse.

The Cardinals will likely trade their closer, Ryan Helsley, this season. Helsley's contract expires at the end of the season, so St. Louis will likely move on from him to continue its rebuild. With that in mind, Robertson could be the short-term answer at closer.

But the best-case scenario of signing Robertson would involve trading him alongside Helsley. Relievers are very sought after at the trade deadline, but clearly no team is willing to take a shot on Robertson just yet.

If the Cardinals can sign him and let him shine in St. Louis for a month or two, he could be traded at the deadline in exchange for a top-30 prospect.

This is the team that's still trotting Miles Mikolas out to the mound on every fifth day. Adding Robertson is a low-risk, potentially high-reward move they could make for very little money.

More MLB: Cardinals Predicted To Trade $81 Million Star To Hated Division Rival

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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