Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Linked To Former Astros Hurler As Potential Rotation Depth Option

St. Louis might want to consider adding another arm
Nate Hagerty|
Apr 21, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a Houston Astros hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Apr 21, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a Houston Astros hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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The St. Louis Cardinals aren't in the market for top-tier starting pitchers but perhaps they should consider making a small addition before Opening Day.

All the Cardinals have done this winter to bolster the big-league roster is trade for former Minnesota Twins utility man Michael Helman -- a move that was just made on Thursday.

With several St. Louis hurlers becoming free agents after 2025, the Cardinals have been linked to a former Houston Astros pitcher searching for his next landing spot.

"The Cardinals seem content to just kind of exist this offseason," The Athletic's Chad Jennings wrote Friday morning after suggesting St. Louis should sign right-handed pitcher José Urquidy. "Maybe they’ll trade Nolan Arenado and open the door to another right-handed bat or add a guy like Andrew Heaney for a bit of rotation depth, but if the Cardinals are going to keep their focus on the future, we’ll do the same and take a look at a two-year deal with a guy recovering from Tommy John surgery. (José) Urquidy probably won’t help much this season, but he could give the Cardinals a leg up in their search for 2026 rotation depth (Steven Matz, Miles Mikolas and Erick Fedde are free agents after this season)."

Urquidy has posted a 27-16 record with a 3.98 ERA, 326-to-97 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .238 batting average against and a 1.14 WHIP throughout his five-year career with the Astros.

The 29-year-old showed great promise as a starting pitcher earlier in his career but was moved to the bullpen in 2023 after struggling with his command.

After missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, Urquidy's stock has plummeted, so the Cardinals should be able to sign him for a relatively inexpensive price.

Fortunately, Urquidy is young, so there's a solid chance he bounces back from his recent injury. With the Cardinals rebuilding, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a chance on the 2022 World Series champion.

More MLB: Cardinals Most-Hated Rival Predicted To Sign Alex Bregman, Making NL Central Tougher

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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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