Cardinals Hurler 'Candidate' To Get Cut By St. Louis After Lackluster Season
The St. Louis Cardinals are well aware of their lackluster pitching performance last season, both from the rotation and the bullpen.
Logically, it would be implied that a serious overhaul can be expected this winter. Additions to the team will be the biggest talking point but to do so, they have to free up some roster spots.
It appears that one veteran right-hander could become a casualty of the situation.
"Barnes is a candidate to be non-tendered," The Athletic's Katie Woo reported Monday. "(Jake) Woodford and (Dakota) Hudson are candidates as well, but to a lesser extent given the organization’s dire need for pitching depth, even at the Triple-A level."
Barnes posted a 5.93 ERA with an 8-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .316 batting average against and a 1.54 WHIP in just 13 2/3 innings with St. Louis.
The 33-year-old has a career 4.76 ERA with a 262-to-111 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .255 batting average against and 1.41 WHIP in 262 2/3 innings across 265 games since making his big-league debut in 2016.
Barnes is expected to make roughly $1 million in arbitration for next season according to MLB Trade Rumors. That would not encourage St. Louis to non-tender him but his play, both last season and over his career, should.
For the Cardinals to drastically improve, they need to shed some of the lower-level producers and make significant upgrades. The front office reportedly wants to add at least two high-leverage arms this winter and will need some 40-man roster spot room to do so.
More MLB: Here's What Three Ex-Cardinals Hurlers Are Projected To Earn In Free Agency
