Two-time All-Star Pitcher Scheduled to Participate in 2024; a Trip to the Cardinals Would Make Sense
St. Louis might benefit from more nuance.
Although the three voids in their rotation have been filled this summer, the St. Louis Cardinals can yet do better.
John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations for the Cardinals, has stated that while the team is focusing on restocking the bullpen, he is still open to suggestions for starting pitchers.
A seasoned pitcher who is prepared to take the mound again next season could be an additional option for the Cardinals to bolster their rotation.
According to a Thursday report from MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, “(Johnny) Cueto, who turns 38 in February, intends to pitch a 17th Major League Baseball season in 2024.”
Cueto’s 2023 season was difficult and marred by injuries, which resulted to an unusual stat line-up. When healthy, he may be an invaluable asset to an organization’s rotation.
After pitching 273 innings for the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox in 2021–2022—with a 3.66 ERA, 200–63 strikeout–to–walk ratio,.276 batting average against, and 1.29 WHIP—the 37-year-old recorded a 15–17 record.
With the most recent signings, the Cardinals’ rotation is strong, but there are rumours that St. Louis still needs to add an arm.
Given the flexibility they have with the massively backloaded contract of reigning American League Cy Young runner-up Sonny Grey, the Cardinals would be best served by signing Cueto to a short-term deal.
The right-hander is a tried-and-true player who might give St. Louis a good number of innings at a reasonable price. The Cardinals should consider trying to get Cueto this winter.
