Cardinals Reportedly Have Expressed Interest In Astros Hurler After Impressive Season

Could the Cardinals actually land the former Astros hurler this offseason?

The St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the most active teams in baseball this offseason and it doesn't sound like they are slowing down.

St. Louis already has added three starting pitchers this offseason and could be done adding to the rotation. The Cardinals always could add another hurler through a trade, but the club likely is done adding free-agent starters. Another big hole the club needs to fill is in the bullpen. St. Louis had one of the worst bullpens in baseball last season and will look to add over the next few weeks.

One hurler the Cardinals reportedly have expressed interest in is former Houston Astros righty, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.

"Focused on adding starters through the first month of the offseason, the Cardinals intend to pivot during the winter meetings toward the reliever market and pick up or expand on conversations previously had with agents," Goold said. 

"The free-agent pool is teeming with options. The Cardinals have expressed some interest in right-hander Phil Maton, who spent recent seasons as a steady presence in Houston’s playoff-bound bullpen. Maton, 30, grew up in Chatham, Illinois. In his past 200 games, he’s pitched 198 1/3 innings with 232 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA."

Maton would be a very solid pickup for the Cardinals. He made 68 appearances for the Astros in 2023 and logged a 3.00 ERA and struck out 74 batters in 66 innings pitched. He compiled a 3.84 ERA in 2022 with the Astros across 67 appearances while striking out 73 batters. He isn't the biggest name available, but certainly would help the Cardinals if they can land him.

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