Ex-Cardinals Homegrown Hurler Signs Elsewhere After Inconsistent Season

St. Louis will not reunite with their former pitcher

The St. Louis Cardinals went into this winter with starting pitching at the top of their priority list before the 2024 season begins.

After losing two of their top starters at the trade deadline and one to retirement -- the Cardinals were faced with major rotation retooling.

Some wished to see a reunion with the starting pitchers traded away at the deadline, but those hopes have been put to rest for one of those former St. Louis hurlers. 

"Right-handed starter Jack Flaherty and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $14 million contract," ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Thursday.

Flaherty posted a 41-31 record with a 3.75 ERA, 748-to-254 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .274 batting average against and 1.21 WHIP throughout seven seasons pitched for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals were in a tough spot at last year's trade deadline and reluctantly traded away Flaherty -- who was an impending free agent -- to jumpstart their retooling process for 2024.

The 28-year-old was traded to the Baltimore Orioles where he struggled -- recording a 6.75 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 34 2/3 innings pitched.

St. Louis had their chances to sign back the homegrown talent but elected to reunite with right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn instead -- along with adding Sonny Gray and Kyle Gibson to the rotation. 

A reunion with Jack Flaherty was still possible but it's disappointing to see the Cardinals pass up on that opportunity. There's always next offseason.

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