Cardinals Not Ruled Out For Reunion With Postseason Star Pitcher

St. Louis could still use one more pitcher for the rotation

The St. Louis Cardinals are in an interesting spot heading into the 2024 season.

St. Louis had one of the worst seasons in recent memory in 2023 and responded in a major way by bolstering the starting rotation and bullpen. The Cardinals are in a better spot but rotation depth still is a big question.

The Cardinals added three hurlers to the rotation in Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson, and Lance Lynn but if injuries pop up, the club could be in trouble. One familiar face still is available and could make sense for St. Louis. 

Jordan Montgomery surprisingly still is available and is looking for his next opportunity. The big lefty shined with St. Louis but was traded to the Texas Rangers. He impressed with the Rangers as well and helped lead them to the World Series but hasn't gotten a deal to his liking.

If his price continues to drop, St. Louis could make some sense for him but would have competition for his services, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.

"I feel safe in saying that there are many teams -- well, multiple teams who would be interested in Montgomery if his price dropped," Goold said. "If he dropped to a spot where the Cardinals could no longer ignore his availability and enter the chat, well, then they'd be competing with other teams trying to convince him to sign, and either up goes the price or he'd have to want to be a Cardinal.

"It hurts Montgomery's market, apparently, that one of the teams that sure makes sense for him has not been spending much at all, and remains in limbo for the TV rights issue. That really seems to have shifted his market, from my vantage point."

Goold was asked by a fan if the Cardinals could land Montgomery and didn't rule out a possible move. St. Louis has been mentioned as a fit for the big lefty on multiple occasions but the only way a deal could get done is his the price tag isn't high. 

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