5 MLB Free Agents the St. Louis Cardinals Need to Target
Zack Cook
Host · Writer
Honorable Mention: Seth Lugo -RHP
2023 Stats: 1.8 WAR, 8-7 Record, 3.57 ERA, 26 Starts, 146.1 IP, 140 K, 1.203 WHIP - For some reason, Seth Lugo screams St. Louis Cardinals. He won't break the bank and is coming off a strong season with the San Diego Padres. If the Cardinals decide to go the route of quantity for their starting rotation, Lugo is an intriguing option to target.
Aaron Nola - RHP
2023 Stats: 2.1 WAR, 12-9 Record, 4.46 ERA, 32 Starts, 193.2 IP, 202 K, 1.151 WHIP - Not only does Aaron Nola have the experience, but he also has the pedigree as a dominant starter. He's not coming off his best year, but the Cardinals will certainly covet what he brings to the table as they look to bolster their rotation.
Sonny Gray - RHP
2023 Stats: 5.3 WAR, 8-8 Record, 2.79 ERA, 32 Starts, 184 IP, 183 K, 1.147 WHIP - Sonny Gray feels exactly like the type of pitcher that would continue thriving in St. Louis. There's a lot to like about his pitch mix, especially if the Cardinals can get back to playing good defense again in 20234. Gray is an ideal target to pitch at the top of the team's rotation.
Michael Wacha - RHP
2023 Stats: 2.4 WAR, 14-4 Record, 3.22 ERA, 24 Starts, 134.1 IP, 124 K, 1.161 WHIP - Is a potential reunion on tap between the Cardinals and Michael Wacha? It's certainly within the realm of possibility. Wacha would give the Cardinals depth in their rotation, and the team likely won't have to commit a lot of term or big dollars here.
Blake Snell - LHP
2023 Stats: 6.0 WAR, 14-9 Record, 2.25 ERA, 32 Starts, 180 IP, 234 K, 1.189 WHIP - We don't want to say that Blake Snell is out of the Cardinal's pay grade because that likely just isn't true. In saying that, the Cardinals need to fill multiple spots in their rotation, and they may decide to focus on a numbers game rather than targeting just one high-end starter that could limit how they spend the rest of their funds.
Jordan Hicks - RHP
2023 Stats: 0.8 WAR, 3-9 Record, 3.29 ERA, 65 Appearances, 12 Saves, 65.2 IP, 81 K, 1.355 WHIP - The Cardinals and relief pitcher Jordan Hicks reportedly got close to an extension prior to the trade deadline. That ultimately didn't come to fruition, and the Cardinals dealt him to the Toronto Blue Jays for a nice return. St. Louis will be looking to bolster the back end of their rotation and we already know these sides both like one another.
Honorable Mention: Seth Lugo -RHP
2023 Stats: 1.8 WAR, 8-7 Record, 3.57 ERA, 26 Starts, 146.1 IP, 140 K, 1.203 WHIP - For some reason, Seth Lugo screams St. Louis Cardinals. He won't break the bank and is coming off a strong season with the San Diego Padres. If the Cardinals decide to go the route of quantity for their starting rotation, Lugo is an intriguing option to target.
Aaron Nola - RHP
2023 Stats: 2.1 WAR, 12-9 Record, 4.46 ERA, 32 Starts, 193.2 IP, 202 K, 1.151 WHIP - Not only does Aaron Nola have the experience, but he also has the pedigree as a dominant starter. He's not coming off his best year, but the Cardinals will certainly covet what he brings to the table as they look to bolster their rotation.
