Two Pitchers Cardinals can Claim Off Waivers if They Stay in Contention

The Cardinals aren't dead yet.

Jul 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from the dugout prior to a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Since selling at the trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals seem to have found their footing again, and they now enter a crucial series with the Philadelphia Phillies just 2 1/2 games back in the National League wild card race. This was meant to be a rebuilding year for the Cardinals, and in a lot of ways it still is, but to be this close to contention was unexpected.

The trade deadline has obviously passed, but at the end of August, teams can still make upgrades to their roster by picking up players off of the waiver wire. The key difference is that teams don't have to give anything up for these players and that they ultimately are awarded to the team with the worst record of those who placed claims.

If the Cardinals want to make the postseason, they're going to have to add some starting pitching. Here are a few pitchers that might make sense for them.

Chris Bassitt

Jun 3, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After helping take the Toronto Blue Jays to the World Series last October, Bassitt joined the Baltimore Orioles and hasn't quite been himself. Granted, Cardinals fans shouldn't expect anything sexy to happen on the waiver wire.

Bassitt is 4-4 with a 5.08 ERA, but he played a key role in getting Toronto to where they were last year. So, given that he is on an expiring contract, this is something that might make sense for the Cardinals. Baltimore is now in last place in the American League East, so they could look to offload some players before the end of August.

Bassitt is a veteran presence that can be trusted to start a postseason game and could give St. Louis a chance to win one if they make it.

Max Scherzer

Aug 19, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Much like the Cardinals, the Blue Jays have begun to play better since selling at the deadline, but they are still under .500. Perhaps now could be the right time for St. Louis to bring right-hander Max Scherzer home.

He was originally drafted by St. Louis in 2003, but ultimately committed to the University of Missouri. He is also of course a St. Louis native.

The 42-year-old's season hasn't gone well. He's 1-6 with a 7.40 ERA and has struggled with injuries. But it's the postseason where the future Hall of Famer still shines. While not the Cy Young candidate he once was, he still has a strong track record, and since St. Louis is in contention, it wouldn't hurt for Chaim Bloom to give Cardinals fans something they have wanted to see for a long time: Scherzer wearing the Birds on the Bat.