Cardinals Reportedly Reunite With Former All-Star Hurler To Bolster Starting Rotation

St. Louis made an intriguing move Monday to start rebuilding the starting rotation

The St. Louis Cardinals have begun to rebuild the starting rotation.

St. Louis needs to add at least three starters this offseason and reportedly landed their first one Monday afternoon as the club signed old friend Lance Lynn to a one-year deal with the possibility of turning into two years, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"Lance Lynn agrees to Cardinals deal, 1 year plus option," Heyman said. "Guarantees $10M in 2024, plus $1M buyout on option. It can be worth about $26M over 2 with escalators. Pluses: Started with Cards, lives nearby in southern Illinois. Pending physical tomorrow."

Lynn certainly is familiar with the Cardinals. He was selected in the first round of the 2008 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft by the Cardinals and eventually made his big league debut with the club in 2011. Lynn spent the first six seasons of his career with the Cardinals and was a part of the 2011 World Series-winning club. 

Since leaving St. Louis ahead of the 2018 season he has spent time with the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Lynn had a down year in 2023 and compiled a 5.73 ERA, but pitched 183 2/3 innings. In 2022 he had a 3.99 ERA for Chicago and 2.69 ERA in 2021. 

If he can bounce back with St. Louis in 2024, the move would make perfect sense. Lynn pencils in as the club's No. 3 or No. 4 starter with upside. Landing Lynn may not be the major splash many have expected, but it is just the beginning.

More MLB: Intriguing Veteran Hurler Floated As Possible Offseason Reunion Candidate For Cardinals