Cardinals Should 'Pump The Brakes' On Pursuit Of This Star Pitcher According To Insider

St. Louis needs to add to the starting rotation this offseason but one player may not make sense

The St. Louis Cardinals need to improve the starting rotation.

Winning just 71 games in 2023 showed this. St. Louis entered the season with question marks swirling around the rotation but thought its offense would be good enough to make up for a lack of pitching depth. While the Cardinals' offense was impressive for much of the season, St. Louis' rotation was bad enough that the club had one of the worst seasons in team history.

It didn't help the rotation that the Cardinals traded away Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty ahead of the trade deadline, but at that point in the season St. Louis was far enough out of National League Central contention that it made more sense to add prospects. 

St. Louis has made it known that the club plans to drastically improve its rotation this offseason and plans to add two or three starters through free agency or the trade market. One player who has been linked to the Cardinals on multiple occasions is San Diego Padres star Blake Snell. Although he is one of the biggest names available, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch believes the Cardinals should pass on him.

"Don’t get me wrong here," Frederickson said. "Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is a free agent who could absolutely help the Cardinals. He’s also the only clear option that I’d pump the brakes on if I were the Cardinals...

"He turns 31 next month. Just young enough to not have to take any age-related discount. Just old enough to wonder if he’s got another season like 2023 and 2018 left in him on his new deal. The southpaw starter led the majors in ERA (2.25) this season, for the second time. He also led the majors in walks (99) for the first time, becoming the first pitcher since 1913 to lead the majors in both. Odd."

Snell is a star and won his second Cy Young Award after leading the National League with an impressive 2.25 ERA, but did lead the league in walks as Frederickson mentioned. Plus, at 31 years old there are some real questions about his future. He will get a massive contract this offseason and it may make more sense to spend elsewhere for the Cardinals. 

There are other options available, like Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola or a reunion with Montgomery or some others. It's clear St. Louis will upgrade this offseason but it may not be with Snell. 

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