Ex-Cardinals Star Pitcher Places St. Louis On His No-Trade List, Spiting Franchise

A former player reportedly doesn't want to come back

With trade talks heating up, recent rumors have sparked the notion that a former St. Louis Cardinals star pitcher wants no part of a reunion.

Former Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn has a club option with the Chicago White Sox and is allowed a no-trade list with 10 teams. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, St. Louis is on that list.

"As for Lynn’s no-trade list, like any no-trade list, it is not absolute," Rosenthal wrote Tuesday. "According to sources briefed on the pitcher’s thinking, he would waive his protection for certain contenders. The teams he can block are the Mariners, Padres and Giants; Dodgers, Angels and Cardinals; Blue Jays, Mets, Yankees and Rays."

Lynn had a stellar six seasons with the Cardinals from 2011-2017 compiling a 72-47 record and 3.38 ERA in 183 games played while also securing a World Series ring in 2011. But, it appears Lynn isn't interested in reliving the past.

This season has been quite difficult for the veteran as he's posted a staggering 6.18 ERA, .267 batting average against and 1.44 WHIP in 115 innings pitched. 

Lynn still features command and the ability to outmatch his foe, notching a 139-to-43 strikeout-to-walk ratio, but that has not been enough to overcome his league-leading 79 earned runs and 28 home runs allowed.

Lynn needs a team that is desperate for reliable pitching and willing to take a chance on him for his reliable history if he wants to be moved at all. Having not pitched in a playoff game since 2015, Lynn is looking to escape the losing culture of the White Sox and land on a playoff-contending roster.

It appears that Lynn's best interests are not in St. Louis, and he will be looking elsewhere when it's time to be traded. For what it's worth, a reunion would not have made sense from the Cardinals' perspective either.

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