St Louis Cardinals - Inside The Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals fans should have hope right now. 

The Cardinals struggled last season, but that doesn't mean the team can't shine in 2024. St. Louis didn't live up to expectations and responded with some very intriguing additions this offseason.

St. Louis also could see steps forward from some of its intriguing core as well. One player who certainly fits this description is second baseman Nolan Gorman. 

The 23-year-old had a great 2023 season and clubbed 27 home runs to go along with 76 RBIs in 119 games played. It was only his second season seeing any time at the big league level and he was able to shine.

He's expected to see a larger role in 2024 and manager Oli Marmol certainly is expecting a lot out of him.

"These guys have a lot of skill," Marmol said. "And when you talk about Gorman, and the season we're expecting from him, and the way he's prepared this offseason to just get his body right to be in the lineup more often and just stay healthy. He's done some meaningful things to make sure that happens. We're expecting a big year out of him. This is a power bat that's scary when he's right and then you add (Lars Nootbaar) to that mix."

It's unclear whether Gorman will see the bulk of his time at second base or designated hitter but it's clear that he's going to get plenty of at-bats. If he can live up to expectations in 2024, St. Louis could be in a good spot.

More MLB: Phillies Reportedly Showing Interest In Signing Ex-Cardinals Pitcher

One former member of the St. Louis Cardinals could end up landing in the National League East before the 2024 season kicks off. 

Former Cardinals pitcher Jordan Montgomery surprisingly still is looking for his next home. He was traded by St. Louis to the Texas Rangers ahead of the 2023 trade deadline and certainly was impressive.

He helped lead the Rangers to the World Series but hasn't signed a new deal yet. Montgomery is expected to land a large deal, but teams have balked at the prices of some of the top free agents this offseason.

It's unclear exactly what will happen with Montgomery, but one club that reportedly is interested in him is the Philadelphia Phillies, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

"(Rob Thomson) said he is more comfortable with the rotation’s depth behind Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker, and Cristopher Sánchez, following recent acquisitions," Zolecki said. "That includes (Spencer Turnbull), (David Buchanan), Kolby Allard, and Max Castillo, plus returnees Nick Nelson and others.

"The Phillies hope prospects Mick Abel and Griff McGarry take steps forward this season. Sources have said the Phillies have interest in free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery, but only on a 1-2 year deal."

Montgomery has logged an ERA under 4.00 ERA in each of the last three seasons while pitching at least 157 innings in each campaign. He's certainly going to help whichever team ends up signing him.

There even has been some speculation lately that Montgomery ultimately could return to St. Louis if his price tag drops.

Spring Training officially is upon us so it wouldn't be surprising to see Montgomery land with a club soon.

More MLB: Star Closer Has Received Multiple Offers; Could Cardinals Make Sense As Landing Spot?

The St. Louis Cardinals have made a specific effort to improve pitching throughout the organization this offseason.

St. Louis began the offseason by improving the starting rotation and then turned its focus to the bullpen. The Cardinals have completely altered the rotation and bullpen and are in a much better spot on paper heading into the 2024 campaign.

The Cardinals had a disastrous 2023 season but many have speculated that the club could finish atop the National League Central standings in 2024. 

It could make sense for the club to continue adding to the roster, though. One player who is available and could make some sense to continue adding to the bullpen is three-time All-Star Liam Hendriks.

Hendriks reportedly has multiple offers on the table and will decide his next move by Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"Reliever Liam Hendriks has multiple offers and has set a deadline of Thursday to sign with a team, sources tell ESPN," Passan said. "If Hendriks doesn't sign now, he would keep rehabbing from Tommy John surgery on his own and throw for teams in late July before signing for the stretch run."

Hendriks will miss the beginning of the 2024 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. If he's able to return around the trade deadline, he could be a massive pickup for a team looking to compete like the Cardinals.

The 35-year-old has developed into one of the top relievers in baseball. He missed most of the 2023 as he recovered from cancer treatments, but certainly can bounce-back when he returns to the hill in 2024.

Hendriks appeared in 226 games with the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox from 2019 through 2022 and had a 2.26 ERA and 359-to-47 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

More MLB: Ex-Blue Jays, Dodgers Starter Could Sign With Cardinals According To Insider

The St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the most active clubs in baseball since the 2023 season came to an end. 

St. Louis had a surprisingly underwhelming season and has made multiple additions to address the club's holes on the roster. The Cardinals are in a much better spot but that doesn't mean the club should be done adding.

The Cardinals added Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson, but another hurler could make a lot of sense. St. Louis' rotation struggled last season and had a lack of depth.

There still are players out there in free agency who could help without breaking the bank. One player who could be an option is former Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays hurler Hyun-Jin Ryu, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden.

"Ryu returned from Tommy John surgery last August and impressed the rest of the way, making a total of 11 starts and allowing three runs or fewer in nine of them," Bowden said. "He pitched five innings in six of those starts and a season-high six innings in one start. His fastball was mostly 87 to 89 (miles per hour). Opponents his .276 against his changeup and .238 against his cutter.

"Ryu appears to be healthy but will have to accept a one-year deal because of the injury risk. He would be wise to sign with a non-contending team that could trade him at the deadline if he pitches in the first half like he did at the end of 2023. A team like the (Pittsburgh Pirates), (Washington Nationals), or (Oakland Athletics) might make sense. Or maybe a contending team that has multiple starters who are high injury risks, have age concerns, or are trending downward could tap him for rotation depth; the (New York Yankees), (Milwaukee Brewers), or Cardinals might fit in that vein."

Ryu is a one-time All-Star with a career 3.27 ERA in his 10-year big league career. If he's healthy, why not give him a chance?

More MLB: Cardinals Have Chance To Land Postseason Star Pitcher To Bolster Rotation

The St. Louis Cardinals have added three starting pitchers, but could a fourth be on the way?

St. Louis entered the offseason looking to completely rebuild its starting rotation. The Cardinals have done just that by landing Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson. St. Louis put a focus on veterans with a history of eating innings to help stabilize the rotation.

The Cardinals handed out a large deal to Gray, but otherwise haven't spent massively. That doesn't mean the club couldn't make another move, though. 

There still are two top-tier options available in free agency to bolster the rotation in Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. St. Louis has been linked to both hurlers at different points throughout the offseason.

A move certainly is unlikely, but with each passing day that they remain available, it's possible their price tags drop. If that becomes a reality, St. Louis could get involved in the sweepstakes for either, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.

"There's always a chance," Goold said. "There is a price the Cardinals would get involved in those talks. There just hasn't been movement to date toward that price, not when both lefties are looking for far more. But, sure, there's a chance."

Goold was asked by a fan whether or not there was any chance St. Louis could land Montgomery or Snell. It seems like the only way there's a chance that either sign with the Cardinals if the price tags drops. 

St. Louis still has some money to spend and landing either would go a long way. The Cardinals already are considered by many to be the favorites in the National League Central but landing Montgomery or Snell could put the Cardinals in the conversation to compete for a World Series title. 

More MLB: White Sox Sign Ex-Cardinals Fireballer Looking To Bounce-Back To Minor League Deal

One former member of the St. Louis Cardinals will be getting a chance to make the Chicago White Sox out of Spring Training.

With Spring Training finally upon us, we're sure to see plenty of free-agent signings in the coming days. There are plenty of players who will land major league deals, but also a lot of players who will sign minor league deals and fight for a chance to break camp with the big league team.

One player who fits this description is former Cardinals hurler Dominic Leone. He spent the 2023 campaign with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, and Seattle Mariners and struggled with a 4.67 ERA in 51 total appearances. 

He's looking to bounce back in 2024 and officially signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox with an invite to Spring Training, according to the club.

"The White Sox have agreed to minor-league deals with (right-handed pitchers) Corey Knebel and Dominic Leone," the team said. "Both will be in camp as (non-roster invites). The Sox now have 68 players in camp, including 28 NRI."

Leone spent two seasons with the Cardinals earlier in his career. The hard-throwing righty appeared in 69 total games with the Cardinals and had a 5.15 ERA and a 72-to-30 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 64 2/3 innings pitched. 

It's unclear what his role will be with the White Sox but it wouldn't be surprising to see him make the club out of camp. Just two seasons ago he had an eye-popping 1.51 ERA in 57 appearances with the San Francisco Giants. If he could return to that level of play, he could be a solid upgrade for the White Sox's bullpen.

More MLB: Ex-Astros Starter Had Throwing Session For Teams; Cardinals Are Intriguing Landing Spot

The St. Louis Cardinals' starting rotation is in a much better place than it was when the 2023 campaign came to an end. 

St. Louis entered the 2023 season with question marks around its rotation and things didn't work out. The Cardinals struggled out of the gate and never got on track. St. Louis eventually dealt Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty ahead of the trade deadline.

The Cardinals did a good job of rebuilding the rotation early on in the offseason but it could never hurt to add even more depth with upside. 

One player who is looking for a new opportunity is former Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, and Atlanta Braves hurler Jake Odorizzi. He even recently threw a bullpen in front of clubs, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

"Free agent (right-handed pitcher) Jake Odorizzi, an All-Star starter in 2019, is throwing without restrictions and looking to sign a major league deal in the coming weeks," Morosi said. "Odorizzi, 33, has pitched off the mound this offseason in front of evaluators from 10 to 12 teams."

He didn't pitch in 2023, but if he is fully healthy he could be a solid back-of-the-rotation candidate with upside. He has a career 3.99 ERA in 11 big league seasons and is a one-time All-Star. 

Odorizzi is just 33 years old and also certainly won't cost much for whichever team ends up landing him. It wouldn't be surprising to see Odorizzi land a minor league deal with a chance to make a big league club out of Spring Training.

That's the exact type of low-risk deal that could make perfect sense for the Cardinals. 

More MLB: Cardinals Could Trade Young Outfielder After Injury-Riddled Season

The St. Louis Cardinals certainly have been busy this offseason.

St. Louis has made a handful of intriguing additions and a few notable subtractions. The Cardinals traded outfielder Tyler O'Neill away earlier this offseason after a rollercoaster stint with the club.

The Cardinals have had a logjam in the outfield and O'Neill was the first person to be on the way out of town to alleviate it. While this is the case, another move could be on the way at some point.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand compiled a list of his "All-Trade Rumor Team" and mentioned Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson.

"The Cardinals have already traded Tyler O’Neill this offseason, but Carlson remains part of a crowded outfield that includes Jordan Walker, Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman and Lars Nootbaar," Feinsand said. "St. Louis received interest from multiple teams earlier this winter, though the Cards ultimately dealt O’Neill instead. Carlson broke in with a solid rookie season in 2021 (18 home runs, .780 OPS in 149 games), but he has struggled since, hitting 13 homers with a .680 OPS in 204 games in 2022-23).

"Buzz factor: Low. Carlson is set to earn $2.35 million in 2024 and is arbitration-eligible for two more years before becoming a free agent. There is no urgency to move Carlson now, but if a club comes calling for outfield help, he could be a chip for the Cardinals to use to address other areas of need."

Carlson was mentioned in trade rumors on numerous occasions but still is with the Cardinals. He likely is the club's fourth outfielder at this point. St. Louis still has a surplus of outfield talent so it wouldn't be too surprising to see a move happen at some point. If he's able to bounce back, maybe he could be a candidate to be moved ahead of the trade deadline.

More MLB: Cardinals Sign Hurler After Year Away From St. Louis To Add More Pitching Depth

The St. Louis Cardinals are not expected to make any big-money moves prior to finalizing their Opening Day roster but still could make some under-the-radar additions in the coming weeks.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak appears to feel confident with a starting rotation featuring Sonny Gray, Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz, Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn -- whether that is wise or not. 

With that said, there are some intriguing arms on the market who could notably bolster the pitching staff without breaking the bank. One of those hurlers currently is seeking a new deal.

"Free agent right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi, an All-Star starter in 2019, is throwing without restrictions and looking to sign a major league deal in the coming weeks," MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Monday. "Odorizzi, 33, has pitched off the mound this offseason in front of evaluators from 10 to 12 teams."

Odorizzi posted a 4.40 ERA with an 86-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .258 batting average against and a 1.33 WHIP in 106 1/3 innings between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves in 2022.

The veteran had surgery on his throwing shoulder which took him out for the entirety of the 2023 season but could be an impactful addition if he could produce anywhere close to his career numbers -- 74-69 with a 3.99 ERA (103 ERA+) across 11 seasons.

The Cardinals would be wise to take a shot on Odorizzi on a team-friendly deal to improve upon their current depth with a player who could very realistically become a mainstay in the rotation this season.

More MLB: Cardinals Sign Hurler After Year Away From St. Louis To Add More Pitching Depth

The St. Louis Cardinals have been busy adding depth throughout the organization.

St. Louis has added some intriguing talent to help the big league club but also has added multiple players on minor league deals to help add organizational depth. 

The Cardinals continued adding Monday and re-signed minor league veteran reliever Jacob Bosiokovic after a year away from St. Louis, according to the club.

"We have signed (right-handed pitcher) Jacob Bosiokovic to a minor league contract for the 2024 season," the club said. "Bosiokovic, 30, played in our system from 2021-22 and returns after pitching for the Atlantic League's Charleston Dirty Birds in 2023, accumulating a 3.35 ERA and 12.1 SO/9 over 44 appearances."

Bosiokovic was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 19th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and began his professional baseball career the same year. 

The righty spent the first four seasons of his professional career in the Rockies' farm system. Bosiokovic joined the Cardinals' organization ahead of the 2021 season. He spent time with the Double-A Springfield Cardinals and Triple-A Memphis Redbirds across the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. 

He spent much of his early professional baseball career in the Rockies' system as an offensive player but transitioned into a relief pitching role after joining the St. Louis organization. 

Bosiokovic had a 3.97 ERA in 2021 across 38 appearances with an 82-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He followed it up with a 5.27 ERA in 15 appearances in 2023. He played independent baseball and pitched for the Charleston Dirty Birds in 2023.

More MLB: Insider Claims Young Cardinals Outfielder Ready To 'Explode' This Season

The St. Louis Cardinals may have had a bad 2023 campaign, but fans should be excited for the 2024 season.

St. Louis has made some intriguing additions to the roster and seemingly is in a much better spot. The Cardinals' pitching is better on paper and the club's offense already was solid last year and should be even better.

One player who should give Cardinals fans hope is young outfielder Jordan Walker. He's just 21 years old and impressed in his first season in the big leagues and should be even better in 2024. The Athletic's Jim Bowden even mentioned him as one of the players he expects to "explode" in 2024.

"Walker was my preseason pick to win the (National League) Rookie of the Year in 2023 and although I might have whiffed on that one, I think he'll prove me right in his sophomore year like Aaron Judge and Mike Trout did after their subpar first seasons in the majors," (Bowden said. "Walker had to learn right field last year, a new position, while having more hitting advice thrown his way than perhaps any player in the majors.

"When the Cardinals finally left him alone, he started to produce. In fact, his on-base percentage was .347 in August and .363 in September/October with seven home runs and 23 RBIs over his final 51 games. He hit fastballs as well as breaking balls, which is a telling sign that he's going to hit at this level. It's hard to predict whether a 6-foot-6 player is going to become a .300 type hitter, but Walker has that potential, and his power should grow to 20-22 homers this year and 25-30 in subsequent years."

Walker appeared in 117 games with the Cardinals last season and hit 16 home runs, drove in 51 runs, and slashed .276/.342/.445 and was most impressive down the stretch. If he can take a step forward, he would only help St. Louis.

More MLB: Cardinals Insider Sees Reunion With Star As Possible; Could St. Louis Make Surprise Move?

The St. Louis Cardinals likely are done adding to the starting rotation but one more move could go a long way.

St. Louis is in a much better spot than it was at the end of the 2023 season after signing Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson. Former Cardinals stud Jordan Montgomery still is available in free agency and certainly could help.

While this is the case, he likely will sign elsewhere. St. Louis traded Montgomery to the Texas Rangers ahead of the 2023 trade deadline and he is going to get a massive contract.

If his asking price drops, though, maybe a reunion could be on the way, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.

"Injuries and hiccups can always spur interest in remaining free agents — and so can changes in price," Goold said. "Lefty Jordan Montgomery, a Cardinal a year ago and a champion with Texas a few months ago, remains available.

"While the Cardinals have not spent much time since November looking at free-agent starters if that view shifts if a need materializes, he already has one of the traits the Cardinals clearly valued all winter and intend to stoke this spring. They can trust him."

If the Cardinals somehow could end up landing Montgomery, perceptions around the team would completely change. St. Louis already is expected to be much better than it was last season. 

Many even expect the club to finish atop the National League Central standings. Landing Montgomery immediately would improve the club's rotation even further. St. Louis still could afford Montgomery. The longer he remains available, the more speculation will build up.

More MLB: Cardinals Could Sign Superstar To Extension According To Insider

The St. Louis Cardinals have an important decision to make soon.

Cardinals star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt will be a free agent at the end of the 2024 campaign and both sides have made it clear that they would like the partnership to continue.

Goldschmidt won the 2022 National League Most Valuable Player but had a down year in 2023 -- like many of the Cardinals did overall. 

It's unclear when exactly a deal could get done, but it wouldn't be surprising to see one happen, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

"Goldschmidt is slated to become a free agent at the end of this season, but much like (José Altuve) and the (Houston Astros), St. Louis could look to extend the 2022 NL Most Valuable Player to keep him in a Cardinals uniform for the rest of his career," Feinsand said. "Goldschmidt’s numbers declined slightly in 2023, so perhaps the Cardinals will wait to see how he plays in 2024 before trying to extend him beyond this year."

The 36-year-old is one of the best first basemen in baseball -- even in a down year -- and it would make a lot of sense to keep him around for the foreseeable future. He not only is one of the top players in baseball, but he has developed into a leader in the clubhouse for St. Louis. 

Goldschmidt found his name in trade rumors last season but it wouldn't be surprising to see him spend the rest of his career in St. Louis. 

More MLB: Cardinals Seen As 'Highly Unlikely' To Sign Controversial Cy Young Award Winner

The St. Louis Cardinals already have added three new starting pitchers this offseason so it would be surprising to see them make another move.

It would be even more surprising to see the club make a move that would stir the pot in a major way. St. Louis was mentioned as a possible landing spot for controversial Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer as he took to social media and said he would be interested in joining the club. 

While this is the case, a move is very unlikely, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Ben Frederickson. 

"Bauer’s recent social media comments about his willingness to pitch for little pay combined with his comments about his interest in pitching for the Cardinals are highly unlikely to move the needle for the Cardinals," Frederickson said. "While some Bauer fans are using social media to try to get Bauer on some team, any team, I’ve heard from some Cardinals fans who wonder about the idea of adding Bauer. They want an answer. Could it happen? Answer: Don’t bet on it."

This isn't surprising. Bauer was placed on administrative leave as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers while he was under investigation for sexual assault allegations. He ended up being suspended for over 190 games and didn't pitch in the big leagues in 2023. 

It's unclear if he will ever pitch again at the big league level but if he does, it doesn't sound like it's going to be in St. Louis in 2024.

More MLB: Cardinals Inviting Intriguing Slugger To Spring Training After Impressive Season

Spring Training is right around the corner.

It has felt like an extremely long offseason but baseball finally is almost back. Pitchers and catchers will report for the St. Louis Cardinals next week and soon enough the regular season will be here.

St. Louis is in a much better spot already on paper and is considered the favorite to win the National League Central by multiple outlets. The Cardinals have some very intriguing players and fans should be excited.

With Spring Training quickly approaching, it's going to be a good time for fans to get an extended look at players they typically wouldn't be able to see. One intriguing player who has received an invite to Spring Training with the Cardinals is slugger Moisés Gómez, according to the club. 

"(Outfielder) Moisés Gómez, who was outrighted to Memphis (AAA), will receive a non-roster invite to Major League Spring Training," the team said. 

Gómez recently was outrighted by St. Louis but still is in the organization. He has been in the Cardinals' organization over the last two seasons and has clubbed at least 30 home runs in each campaign. 

In 2022, he smashed 39 home runs, drove in 94 runs, and slashed .294/.371/.624 in 120 total games. The slugger followed it up with 30 home runs and 79 RBIs in 131 appearances. 

He's just 25 years old and has shown some serious pop in the minor leagues. It's unclear what role he could play with the Cardinals because they have a surplus of outfield talent. But if he could impress in Spring Training and kick off the 2024 campaign on the right foot, maybe he could be a solid trade piece at some point.

More MLB: Controversial Former All-Star Claims He'd 'Love' To Play For Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals likely are done adding this offseason.

This hasn't stopped speculation from building about a possible other move before Spring Training rolls around. St. Louis has focused on its starting rotation and bullpen this offseason and both are in much better shape.

Because of this, the Cardinals are favorites to win the National League Central by multiple outlets. The Cardinals are in a much better spot but that hasn't stopped people from wondering if another move could make sense. 

Former Cardinals hurler Jordan Montgomery still is available but a move is unlikely. Another former All-Star also is available but a signing is even more unlikely than Montgomery.

Trevor Bauer hasn't pitched on a big league mound since 2021 but is looking to get back to the big leagues. While this is the case, a move certainly is unlikely due to his off-field issues. 

Bauer was asked on social media to join the Cardinals and claimed he would "love" to, but hasn't been offered a contract. 

"I would love to," Bauer said. "(Sonny Gray) is one of my favorite guys in baseball. Cards haven’t offered me a contract though so."

Bauer was placed on administrative leave in 2021 while he was being investigated for sexual assault allegations. Ultimately he faced a suspension and was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers and spent the 2023 season with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. 

He may want to join St. Louis, but a sign should be considered extremely unlikely.

More MLB: Ex-Blue Jays All-Star To Toss Bullpen Session For Clubs; Cardinals Could Make Sense

The St. Louis Cardinals have been busy this offseason retooling the pitching staff to bolster their chances of succeeding in 2024.

The signings of three veteran hurlers and the acquisitions of two proven relievers have surely put the Cardinals in a good position for this upcoming season.

With spring training just days away, the Cardinals are still active in the market and might not be done making roster adjustments.

"We (Cardinals) have traded right-handed pitcher Guillermo Zuñiga to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations," the team announced Wednesday.

Zuñiga was designated for assignment last Sunday by the Cardinals following a tough season where he didn't make much of an impact -- only recording four strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA in two innings pitched for St. Louis.

The 25-year-old prospect made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cardinals last season but his tenure did not last long. Injuries plagued the young reliever in 2023 and he was ultimately DFA'd this winter to make room for right-handed pitcher Kenyan Middleton.

St. Louis could use this opportunity to spend money on some much-needed depth. The Cardinals lineup ranked No. 13 with a .742 OPS in 2023 and could benefit from adding a solid bat to their organization -- even if it's for a minor-league deal.

It's not too late for the Cardinals to make another move with plenty of impact players available.

More MLB: Cardinals Favorites To Win Division According To Multiple Projections

Could the St. Louis Cardinals go from worst to first in the National League Central next season?

After the Cardinals finished with their worst records in 33 years, the club has made moves this offseason to bounce back in 2024.

St. Louis is hopeful that the latest additions to the rotation and bullpen will ensure a different outcome for the club this upcoming season. Per multiple projections, the future looks promising. 

Fangraphs placed the Cardinals with the highest odds to win the NL Central next season at 38.3%, followed by the Chicago Cubs at 21.3%. They project St. Louis to finish with an 84-78 record -- which would be a huge turnaround from their 71-91 finish in 2023.

Baseball Prospectus also projects St. Louis to win the NL Central, with a 52.9% chance to seal the division, followed by Chicago at 18.3%. They project the Cardinals to clinch the division by a comfortable margin of five games with an 85-77 record

The 2023 season was disappointing for the Cardinals as there were high expectations that were never met. 

The biggest problem for St. Louis last season was the pitching staff. The rotation ranked No. 26 with a 5.07 ERA and the bullpen placed No. 23 with a 4.47 ERA.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak is confident in the state of the rotation after the latest acquisitions this winter. Hopefully, they will be enough.

It's safe to say that the Cardinals made efforts this winter to ensure a better outcome for next season and will be expecting to get back into contention.

More MLB: Should Cardinals Take Shot On Former Big Leaguer Tearing Up International League?

The St. Louis Cardinals already have added three starting pitchers this offseason but could it make sense to add even more depth?

St. Louis' biggest issue last season was its starting rotation. The Cardinals had one of their worst seasons in recent memory and the rotation arguably was the biggest reason why. St. Louis dealt with injuries and inconsistent play and it showed as the club had just 71 wins.

The Cardinals added Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson this offseason but it could make sense to add even more depth if the right move comes around.

One player who could make sense as a bounce-back candidate on a minor league deal is former Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Aaron Sanchez.

The 31-year-old former first-round draft pick is looking for his next opportunity and reportedly will throw a bullpen for possible suitors, according to FanSided's Robert Murray.

"Right-hander Aaron Sanchez is throwing a bullpen for teams on Feb. 9 at Summers Method in Clearwater, FL," Murray said. "Sanchez, who was an All-Star in 2016, most recently pitched in the majors in 2022 and has a 4.16 ERA in eight career seasons."

Sanchez last pitched at the big league level with the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins in 2022 and appeared in 15 total games and had a 6.60 ERA and 41-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

He is looking to work his way back up after struggling over the last few seasons. A signing could make sense for St. Louis to a minor league deal if he's fully healthy. 

Sanchez has a career 4.16 ERA in eight seasons at the big league level and is just 31 years old. If St. Louis could land him on a minor-league deal, there wouldn't be much risk. He could provide depth in the minors and if he were to get back to form, maybe get a call-up if St. Louis dealt with a plethora of injuries again.

The Cardinals saw last year what a lack of depth can do to a franchise. Why not take a chance on a former All-Star?

More MLB: Cardinals Insider Doesn't Rule Out Another Possible Addition Of Star Pitcher

The St. Louis Cardinals have accomplished the main objective of retooling the pitching staff this offseason and look ready to bounce back in 2024.

It might seem that the Cardinals are finished making roster adjustments after the latest signing of right-handed reliever Kenyan Middleton but there's always room for improvement.

A former Major League Baseball player is proving his worth at the international league level and might be a lineup-bolstering option for the Cardinals to consider.

"Aaron Altherr, still a free agent, has had an amazing season in (the Mexican Pacific League) and he’s continued producing at the Caribbean Series," MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Saturday.

Altherr batted .265 with 13 extra-base hits including seven home runs, 27 RBIs and a 1.026 OPS in 27 games played for the Hermosillo Orange Growers in the Mexican Pacific League this winter.

The 33-year-old has played in multiple international leagues since his last MLB appearance for the New York Mets in 2019. Altherr played in the big leagues for six seasons but failed to land a contract with a club after his final season -- mostly due to a decline in performance.

The German-born outfielder has been showing out in his recent foreign affairs and might earn his way back to the show. Altherr logged .294/.385/.555 with 21 home runs and 70 RBIs in 82 games played for the Tri-City Valley Cats in the Frontier League this past season.

It's safe to say that Altherr is on a tear and could be a potential steal for the Cardinals to add some much-needed depth to their position player group on what would likely be a minor-league deal. 

More MLB: Dodgers Reportedly Sign Cardinals Free-Agent Target To Bolster Bullpen