Rays Could Target Intriguing Ex-Cardinals Hurler In Free Agency This Offseason

Tampa Bay could be a team to watch out for this offseason for a former Cardinals hurler

One former member of the St. Louis Cardinals could end up staying in the American League East this offseason.

Former Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty spent the six-plus years of his big league career with St. Louis but was traded to the Baltimore Orioles ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. Flaherty now is a free agent and one club that could end up pursuing him is the Tampa Bay Rays, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

"The rotation is a major question mark for the Rays, as Shane McClanahan will miss 2024 following Tommy John surgery, Jeffrey Springs, and Drew Rasmussen will be returning from elbow injuries and Shane Baz will be coming back from his own Tommy John surgery," Feinsand said. "That leaves Tyler Glasnow (who might very well be traded), Zach Eflin, and Aaron Civale leading the rotation. Flaherty is coming off a down year, which is precisely the type of low-risk, high-reward pitcher the Rays tend to like."

Flaherty is an intriguing name to watch out for this offseason. He had a down year in 2023 with a 4.99 ERA across 29 total appearances with the Cardinals and Orioles but still has plenty of upside. He is just 28 years old and already is a seven-year MLB veteran. In 2019, he logged a 2.75 ERA across 33 starts as a 23-year-old but has dealt with injuries seemingly ever since. 

If he can return to that level of play, he could certainly bounce back next year. Tampa Bay may be the best spot for him, as well. The Rays have had one of the best pitching departments in baseball over the last few years and could maybe get Flaherty back on track.

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