Ex-Cardinals Fireballer Expected To Have 'Ripe' Free Agent Market; Is Reunion On Way?

It sounds like one former member of the Cardinals will have plenty of suitors this offseason

One former member of the St. Louis Cardinals could get paid this offseason.

Former Cardinals fireballer Jordan Hicks is a free agent this offseason and certainly is in an interesting spot. He is just 27 years old and is coming off arguably the best season of his young big-league career to this point. He spent the first four-plus years of his career before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline and now will have a "ripe" free agent market, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"Teams believe there's plenty more to unlock with Hicks, and it is fueling a ripe market," Passan said. "He's the youngest domestic pitcher on the market, having just turned 27. His fastball sits at 100 mph and runs up to 104. Everything is there for greatness. Hicks just needs to find it."

Hicks shined with the Cardinals and Blue Jays this season and finished the campaign with a 3.29 overall ERA across 65 appearances. He was at his best with the Blue Jays after being traded. He made 25 appearances with Toronto and compiled a 2.63 ERA and struck out 22 batters in 24 innings pitched. 

Before being traded, it seemed like the Cardinals and Hicks would agree on a contract extension. There was interest on a deal from both sides and there have been some rumblings that they could return to the negotiating table this offseason. If the Cardinals are interested in a reunion, they likely will have to overpay a little bit due to stiff competition. 

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