Former All-Star Reportedly Available; Should Cardinals Take Chance On Fireballer?

Should the Cardinals take a chance on a former All-Star hurler?

The St. Louis Cardinals certainly could use another arm or two. 

St. Louis has been bitten by the injury bug in a major way this season. The Cardinals' starting rotation has been hit hard this season and young lefty Matthew Liberatore is one of the latest to hit the injured list. St. Louis is going to have some difficult decisions to make this upcoming offseason. The Cardinals will have at least three starting rotation spots to fill and likely will be one of the most active clubs in free agency.

At this point, the starting rotation is extremely thin due to the injuries and trades of Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline so it wouldn't hurt to add another arm. If the Cardinals are looking to add more depth this season, one player who reportedly is available that could be worth a flier is former fireballer Noah Syndergaard.

Syndergaard was designated for assignment by the Cleveland Guardians after just six starts. The righty was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to Cleveland ahead of the trade deadline. The 30-year-old has struggled this season with a 6.50 ERA in 18 total starts with Los Angeles and Cleveland but could be an intriguing buy-low candidate. 

At one point, the big right was one of the best pitchers in baseball but injuries have taken a serious toll on his career. Syndergaard compiled a 3.94 ERA in 2022 in 25 starts so he has shown signs of production. At just 30 years old, he could be a solid back-of-the-rotation hurler with upside if he could get back on track. 

St. Louis is extremely thin in the starting rotation. Why not give Syndergaard a chance to find his form? 

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