Announcement: St Louis Cardinals strongly considering deal to sign starting pitcher as he set to opt out contract

The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly in serious discussions about signing starting pitcher Blake Snell, a former Cy Young Award winner, as he is expected to opt out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants. This potential move comes as the Cardinals look to bolster their pitching staff after a disappointing season and aim to return to playoff contention.

Blake Snell, who joined the San Francisco Giants in a high-profile trade, is rumored to be opting out of his contract, making him one of the most sought-after pitchers in free agency. Snell’s decision to test the market is not surprising given his continued success on the mound, where he has maintained a reputation as one of the most dominant left-handers in baseball.

The Cardinals’ Need for Pitching

Last offseason, the primary objective for the Cardinals was to add starting pitching. They did that, in the form of Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson. Their rotation has done fairly well at times this season, but they rank 23rd in the majors with a 4.46 ERA. That’s going to have to improve next season.

Adding Blake Snell to their rotation would be a major coup for the Cardinals. Snell, with his postseason experience and proven track record, could immediately slot in as the team’s ace or at least a top-of-the-rotation arm. His presence would provide stability and reliability, qualities that were sorely lacking for St. Louis this past season.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

While Snell would be a significant addition to the Cardinals, there are also challenges and considerations that come with such a high-profile signing. Financially, the Cardinals would need to commit a substantial amount of money to secure Snell, likely in the form of a long-term deal. Given that Snell is expected to command a sizable contract on the open market, the Cardinals would need to weigh the financial implications against their other needs and long-term plans.

Snell got off to a slow start after signing late and did miss some time this season due to injury, but has a 3.76 ERA in 15 starts this season, and an eye-popping 1.30 ERA in his last nine starts. He’s looked like the pitcher who won the NL Cy Young award last season ever since he returned from the IL in early July, and there’s every reason to believe that with a normal offseason, Snell will be great in 2025 as well.

How Snell Fits into the Cardinals’ Plans

He’ll be expensive, but the Cardinals will be shedding substantial amounts of payroll this offseason with guys like Lynn, Gibson, and Paul Goldschmidt all set to hit free agency at the end of the year. For a team in dire need of starting pitching like St. Louis, there really is no need to pass on Snell.

As Blake Snell prepares to opt out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants, the St. Louis Cardinals are emerging as a strong contender to sign the star pitcher. For the Cardinals, acquiring Snell would be a significant step towards addressing their pitching needs and reestablishing themselves as a playoff contender. While challenges remain, the potential impact of adding a player of Snell’s caliber could be transformative for the Cardinals, setting the stage for a highly anticipated 2024 season.