MLB Insider Reportedly Links Cardinals To Star Hurler As Potential Free Agent Fit

St. Louis is the perfect landing spot for an AL Central star

What will the St. Louis Cardinals' starting rotation look like at the end of the 2023 season?

There has been a wide range of rumors swirling around the club seemingly all season to this point and it is very likely that St. Louis is busy around the trade deadline. The most likely move by the Cardinals would be acquiring a new starting pitcher as the club has dealt with inconsistent play from its rotation and the club has the pieces to get a deal done.

One player that would make sense to acquire ahead of the deadline would be Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito. Chicago has struggled so far this season and likely will be sellers ahead of the deadline so there have been plenty of rumors about Giolito's future. The 28-year-old is set to be a free agent at the end of the season and landed at No. 13 on Jim Bowden of The Athletic's top 25 ranking of upcoming free agents. The MLB insider even linked the hurler to the Cardinals in his ranking. 

"Like (Eduardo Rodriguez), Lucas Giolito is one of the most likely starting pitchers to be dealt at the trade deadline, if the White Sox can't get back in the race by then," Bowden said. "Giolito has recorded double-digit wins four times in his career and won 11 games in each of his past two seasons. He finished in the top 11 in AL Cy Young voting in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Last year his ERA ballooned to 4.90, but he did make 30 starts. 

"Giolito profiles as a solid middle-of-the-rotation type, and his name has already popped up in several trade rumors, including with teams such as the Cardinals, (Arizona Diamondbacks), and (San Diego Padres)."

It would make perfect sense for the Cardinals to acquire Giolito either ahead of the trade deadline, or as a free agent this upcoming offseason. The righty has pitched to a 3.62 ERA so far this season for Chicago in 10 starts and is second on the White Sox with 1.4 wins above replacement. Giolito is leading White Sox starters in ERA, innings pitched, and is tied for the rotation lead with three wins. 

St. Louis has a strong enough farm system to go along with movable big-league pieces to get a deal done if the organization saw fit. Any deal the Cardinals make likely will involve outfielder Tyler O'Neill, and the club has other players to package with the outfielder to get a deal done. If the Cardinals aren't able to acquire Giolito ahead of the August 1 trade deadline, they certainly would be able to afford him as a free agent this upcoming offseason.

If you are a fan of the Cardinals, Giolito certainly is someone to keep an eye on.

More MLB: Two Stars Reportedly Linked To Cardinals As Potential Trade Deadline Candidates