Orioles ‘Have Contacted’ Ex-Cardinals Hurler, Potentially Blocking Reunion

St. Louis likely will be in the mix as well

Scott Neville | Dec 1, 2023

Orioles ‘Have Contacted’ Ex-Cardinals Hurler, Potentially Blocking Reunion /

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The St. Louis Cardinals have focused all of their attention thus far on retooling the starting rotation.

While the rotation had to be and should remain the priority, the bullpen could use a couple of upgrades as well.

One of the most logical fits would be a former Cardinal who is expected to be among the most coveted relievers in free agency. For a reunion to take place, St. Louis will have to strike a deal before other suitors, and it might be behind the eight ball.

The Baltimore Orioles have contacted free-agent flamethrower Jordan Hicks in their wide-ranging pursuit of an upgraded bullpen according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

Hicks posted a 3.29 ERA with an 81-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .231 batting average against and 1.36 WHIP in 65 2/3 innings last season between the Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays.

The 27-year-old is as physically gifted as any pitcher in baseball and has a rare combination of a proven track record paired with youth. The Cardinals reportedly attempted to extend Hicks prior to trading him at last season's Major League Baseball Trade Deadline.

Given that Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak wanted to retain Hicks in July -- and he's only improved his play since departing from St. Louis -- it's fair to assume that he will explore re-signing the high-leverage hurler.

That pursuit will not come cheap, as the Orioles will be far from the only team in the sweepstakes.

More MLB: Cardinals Remain Among Favorites To Sign Premier Hurler Despite Sonny Gray Deal

Published Dec 1, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the St. Louis Cardinals for FanNation's "Inside The Cardinals" on Sports Illustrated. Before starting "Inside The Cardinals", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join FanNation and the Sports Illustrated Media Group as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." After a few months as the top Major League Baseball site in the program, Neville sought expansion and pitched "Inside The Cardinals," one of the newest additions to FanNation and the Sports Illustrated Media Group. The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Cardinals" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu