Inside The Cardinals

Should Cardinals Circle Back To Big-Time Addition From Yankees?

The Cardinals would be wise to look for ways to add right now...
Patrick McAvoy|
Aug 14, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a New York Yankees hat and glove on the bench against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Aug 14, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a New York Yankees hat and glove on the bench against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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St. Louis CardinalsNew York Yankees

The St. Louis Cardinals were very active after the 2023 season came to an end.

St. Louis had one of its worst seasons in recent memory and knew that adding more pitching was a necessity. The Cardinals added a few starters in the form of Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson. The Cardinals didn't stop there, though. St. Louis added more firepower to the bullpen as well, including Andrew Kittredge and Keynan Middleton among others.

These two were the big additions for the bullpen and Kittredge ended up shining. The former All-Star logged a 2.80 ERA in 74 appearances. Middleton signed a one-year, $6 million deal with an option for the 2025 season. He missed the entire 2024 season due to injury and then the Cardinals declined his option for the 2025 campaign.

He's currently still a free agent and it's not hard to see why it would make sense to take a chance on him possibly with a minor league pact. Landing Middleton was a pretty big deal last offseason. The Cardinals needed bullpen help desperately and he arguably was the big-name addition for it after a lights-out stint with the New York Yankees.

He began the 2023 season with the Chicago White Sox but was traded to New York. Overall, he finished the 2023 season with a 3.96 ERA in 39 appearances. He made 12 appearances with the Yankees and had a 1.88 ERA.

There was hopes last year that he could be a high-leverage option for St. Louis but his injury changed that. Now, the Cardinals are the hottest team in baseball and still have some bullpen questions. The Cardinals are proving that they are worth investing in. Why not try to bring Middleton back to see if he could help?

More MLB: Cardinals May Have Already Found Next No. 1 Ace For St. Louis

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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