St Louis Cardinals - Inside The Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals spent most of the offseason waiting out the reliever market to find affordable yet impactful arms following an early flurry of starting pitcher acquisitions. 

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak eventually found Andrew Kittredge via trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and then held off until February to make what is presumed to be the final notable signing of the offseason: agreeing to terms with right-hander Keynan Middleton.

We have since learned about the specific contract details of the deal, which are favorable for St. Louis.

Middleton will earn $5 million in 2024. The Cardinals then have a $6 million club option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout according to ESPN.

The 30-year-old hurler posted a 3.38 ERA with a 64-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .214 batting average against and a 1.24 WHIP in 50 2/3 innings between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees last season.

It's hard to get a better deal for a high-leverage reliever coming off a career year than the one St. Louis just pulled off. Many in the industry believe there is no such thing as a bad one-year deal -- which is certainly true at this price point.

Should Middleton underperform next season, they can cut him loose for a drop in the bucket. If he continues to produce at his 2023 level or even close, they can accept the club option and get an impactful bullpen addition for two years at only $11 million. 

Mozeliak might have frustrated some fans by taking so long but his holdout appears to have been worth it.

More MLB: Cardinals' Elite Prospect Seen As 'Dark-Horse' Option To Bolster Bullpen

The St. Louis Cardinals have had a successful offseason so far.

St. Louis has addressed its two biggest roster holes -- the starting rotation and bullpen -- and is in a much better spot on paper.

If the 2024 season were to start today, the Cardinals likely would be considered one of the top teams in the National League Central. While this is the case, there still are some intriguing free agents out there who could help.

St. Louis likely is done adding but if it changed its mind and wanted to add another starter, both Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell still are available.

The Cardinals have been linked in some way to both hurlers throughout the offseason but a signing certainly is unlikely after all of the additions the club has made. While this is the case, MLB.com's John Denton didn't fully rule out a move.

"In 2023, the Cardinals were often a victim of short starts and their bullpen getting overexposed and eaten alive late in games," Denton said. "This time around, the club is hoping historically dependable workhorses (Sonny Gray), (Lance Lynn), and (Kyle Gibson) can team up with incumbent starters Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz to eat innings and keep the bullpen fresh...

"Of course, another pitching move could still exist, if the Cards so desire. Blake Snell with the birds on the bat across his chest? A reunion with lefty Jordan Montgomery? But they’ve already done lots in their busiest offseason in decades. Now, they are confident that a makeover that has lasted from early November to early February will have them grinning from cheek to cheek once the playoffs start in October."

If the Cardinals could land either, it would go a long way for the club's chances of competing for a World Series title. A move should be considered unlikely but either star could make sense.

More MLB: Braves Sign Ex-Cardinals Hurler After Down Year To Add Organizational Depth

One former St. Louis Cardinals hurler is getting a fresh start with the Atlanta Braves.

Atlanta recently announced its 2024 Spring Training non-roster invitees and included in its list was former Cardinals reliever Jake Walsh who was signed to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com's John Denton. 

"Former Cardinals reliever Jake Walsh is headed to Spring Training with the Braves on a minor league contract," Denton said.

Walsh was selected by the Cardinals in the 16th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and he has spent his entire professional career in the organization to this point.

The 28-year-old worked his way up the Cardinals' farm system and made his big league debut with the club in 2022 and appeared in three games and allowed four earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched. 

Walsh spent the 2023 campaign with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds before suffering an injury and being released by the club. The righty appeared in 27 games with Memphis and had a 5.28 ERA and 34-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 30 2/3 innings pitched. He was released in July and has been a free agent ever since.

The righty will now have a chance to work his way back from injury as a member of the Braves. It's unclear what his role will be, but he likely will spend a good chunk of the season in the minors if he can impress in Spring Training. 

It could never hurt to add depth at the minor-league level will big league upside. If he can shine, maybe at some point he could get a call up to the big league level.

More MLB: Cardinals' Elite Prospect Seen As 'Dark-Horse' Option To Bolster Bullpen

The St. Louis Cardinals have been actively retooling the pitching staff this winter to help turn things around next season.

It's safe to say that St. Louis is poised to bounce back in 2024 after landing three veteran starters, trading for right-hander reliever Andrew Kittredge and signing free-agent hurler Kenyan Middleton this offseason.

The Cardinals accomplished their offseason goals of replenishing the rotation and adding two high-leverage relievers. The club might be done adding relievers after a coveted hurler signs with a National League foe.

"Free-agent reliever Ryan Brasier in agreement with (Los Angeles) Dodgers on two-year, $9 million contract," The Atheltic's Ken Rosenthal reported Monday. "Chance to reach $13 million total through incentives."

Brasier was reportedly on St. Louis' radar this offseason as a potential bullpen-bolstering opportunity but after trading for Kittredge and landing Middleton, it became unlikely to see the Cardinals spend the money to sign him.

The 36-year-old posted an atrocious 7.29 ERA with an 18-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .286 batting average against and a 1.57 WHIP in 21 innings with the Boston Red Sox in the first half of 2023 before being released.

The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up Brasier following his release from Boston, made a few adjustments to his pitch usage -- which included the addition of a cutter -- and helped him completely turn things around.

The right-handed pitcher posted a 0.70 ERA with a 38-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .140 batting average against and a 0.72 WHIP in 38 2/3 innings to finish the latter half of his 2023 campaign.

Although it's disappointing to see Brasier sign a deal with the Dodgers that would have been in the Cardinals' price range, fans can reside in the fact that St. Louis should have a top-10 bullpen after a successful retooling.

More MLB: Cardinals' Elite Prospect Seen As 'Dark-Horse' Option To Bolster Bullpen

The St. Louis Cardinals have significantly improved their roster this offseason.

St. Louis has responded to a disastrous 2023 campaign by making a plethora of additions this offseason. The Cardinals added Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson to the starting rotation. The club also has made a handful of additions to the bullpen including Keynan Middleton. 

The Cardinals have improved the club but one internal candidate who also could be a "dark-horse" candidate to help out St. Louis' bullpen is elite prospect Gordon Graceffo, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo.

"But if you're looking for a dark-horse candidate, let's look at prospect Gordon Graceffo," Woo said. "He was drafted in 2021 and ascended through the Cardinals' system as a starting pitcher and could emerge as a viable relief candidate depending on his spring performance.

"He will be a non-roster invitee to big-league camp for the second year this season and is already garnering internal consideration for a bullpen role. His fastball command and ability to fill up the zone is how he found success as a starter, but he wasn't always able to work late into games or mirror the same consistency after three to four innings. If Graceffo has a strong spring showing, he could force his way into a major-league debut as a reliever."

Graceffo is St. Louis' No. 6 prospect and could be a very intriguing player if he's able to get an extended opportunity with the club. He hasn't made his big league debut yet but could see some time in 2024. 

The big righty has pitched mainly as a starter throughout his professional career so far and has a 3.51 career ERA in 58 total appearances. It's unclear what role he will play with the Cardinals, but don't be surprised if he makes his big league debut in 2024. 

More MLB: Ex-Cardinals Outfielder Seen As Possible Free Agent Option NL East Club

There still are plenty of intriguing free agents available. 

The free agent market has moved surprisingly slowly. Spring Training is quickly approaching but there have been far fewer big league contracts handed out this offseason than many likely expected at this point. 

Because of this, there still are some very solid players out there who likely will sign soon ahead of Spring Training. One player who fits this description and is looking for a new home in free agency is former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham. 

It's unclear where he will land, but Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter floated the Washington Nationals as a possible option as he attempted to predict the landing spots for the top remaining free agents.

"Pham signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the New York Mets last offseason and proved to be a terrific value before he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he helped them reach the World Series," Reuter said. "His veteran presence and potential value as a trade chip makes him a logical target for the Washington Nationals on another one-year deal. Predicted Landing Spot: Washington Nationals."

Pham was selected in the 16th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft by St. Louis and eventually made his big league debut in 2014. The veteran outfielder spent the first four-plus seasons of his career in St. Louis before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018.

Since then, he has spent time with the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Pham signed with the Mets last offseason and was sent to the Diamondbacks ahead of the trade deadline. It's unclear where Pham will land, but it's clear that he does have a solid market in free agency.

More MLB: Cardinals DFA Hard-Throwing Righty After Rough Season To Open Roster Spot

The St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the most active clubs in baseball this offseason.

St. Louis clearly had plenty of holes to fill after winning just 71 games and it has done a lot to fill them. The Cardinals have significantly boosted both the starting rotation and bullpen this offseason and should be considered one of the top teams in the National League Central.

The Cardinals' latest intriguing move was bringing in former Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees reliever Keynan Middleton. 

To make room on the roster for Middleton, St. Louis designated hurler Guillermo Zuñiga for assignment, according to MLB.com's John Denton.

"St. Louis Cardinals announce that they have designated (right-handed pitcher) Guillermo Zuñiga for assignment to make room for (right-handed pitcher) Keynan Middleton being added to the 40-player Major League roster," Denton said. "The Cards’ roster is once again at 40 players."

Zuñiga is just 25 years old and has seven seasons of professional baseball under his belt. The righty signed with the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in 2016 and made his professional debut that season. 

Since then, he has spent time in the minors in the Braves' farm system, the Los Angeles Dodgers' system, and with the Cardinals. Zuñiga worked his way up to the big leagues and debuted with St. Louis in 2023 and appeared in two games and allowed one earned run.

The young righty has some upside but now could end up looking for his next opportunity unless he ends up back in the Cardinals' farm system.

More MLB: Rays Sign Rumored Cardinals Target To Bolster Bullpen After Stellar Year

The St. Louis Cardinals likely are done adding to the bullpen this offseason unless a surprise move comes around.

St. Louis entered the offseason looking to add to the starting rotation and the bullpen. The Cardinals have done both and certainly are in a much better spot on paper. St. Louis should compete for the National League Central division title with its current roster. 

The Cardinals' biggest move lately has been landing former Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees hurler Keynan Middleton to add to the bullpen.

St. Louis was linked to other hurlers but ended up opting for Middleton. Another player St. Louis was linked to was former Houston Astros hurler Phil Maton. While he would've made sense as well for the Cardinals, he also now is off the board as he reportedly landed a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

"(Right-handed pitcher) Phil Maton is finalizing a deal with the Rays, per source," Feinsand said. "Maton had a 3.00 ERA in 68 appearances for the Astros in 2023."

Maton would've made a lot of sense for the Cardinals after a strong 2023 season, but it sounds like they went in a different direction. St. Louis was mentioned as a fit for Maton on multiple occasions and the club clearly was looking for bullpen help.

The former Astros hurler could've made some sense, but Middleton seems like a better option for them. Maton seemed like a possible fit for the Cardinals but he instead will take the mound with the Rays in 2024.

More MLB: Cardinals Insider Floats Idea Of Reuniting With Star In Possible Surprise Move

Could the St. Louis Cardinals make one more surprise move this offseason?

St. Louis has hinted that it is done adding to the starting rotation, but there still is one very intriguing option out there. Jordan Montgomery still is a free agent and a reunion could go a long way for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals finished in last place in the National League Central last season, but things could completely turn around in 2024. The division is vulnerable. The Milwaukee Brewers finished atop the division but just traded away star pitcher Corbin Burnes. 

If the Cardinals play their cards right, they could easily be back atop the division next season. St. Louis has improved the club and is in a better spot but another move could make sense and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Ben Frederickson floated the idea of a reunion with Montgomery. 

"There have been assumptions Montgomery could have to settle for less than expected because of his ongoing wait," Frederickson said. "Not buying that. Super agent Scott Boras represents both Montgomery and fellow free agent Blake Snell. Boras is known for waiting, waiting, waiting, and then landing his clients big deals. And? The Cardinals can afford big deals for the right guys. They did for Sonny Gray. They could for Montgomery. The Cardinals can afford whatever they decide their self-imposed payroll can embrace...

"There have been assumptions Montgomery wouldn’t entertain a return to St. Louis. I’m not necessarily buying that one, either. Wanting to explore your trade-deadline shot with a contender instead of sticking with a seller on the eve of your free agency isn’t the same thing as shutting down the idea of a return. You know what helps convince a guy sometimes? An agent. And money. And a feeling a big season could be there for the taking by a team. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and Boras have talked this offseason."

Signing Montgomery would be expensive, but the Cardinals immediately would be considered the top club in the division. If Montgomery wants to be back, why not make a big swing?

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The St. Louis Cardinals are coming off one of their worst seasons in franchise history and are looking to change the trajectory.

The club has made moves this offseason to ensure that 2024 will have a different outcome than last season's by retooling the rotation and adding bullpen depth.

The future of the organization, however, doesn't seem so bright according to a credible sports media source who gave the Cardinals' farm system an unfavorable rating.

The Cardinals' farm system ranked at No. 20 ahead of next season, according to Baseball America's 2024 MLB Farm System Talent Rankings.

This report comes after the same source recently listed five Cardinals players among the top 100 prospects going into 2024 -- Masyn Winn (No. 39), Tekoah Roby (No. 75), Victor Scott II (No. 83), Tink Hence (No. 84), and Thomas Saggese (No. 85).

Winn is a rising star who won't be called a prospect for much longer. The 21-year-old already made his Major League Baseball debut at the end of 2023 and has a solid chance of being the starting shortstop for St. Louis on Opening Day.

Scott II is climbing up the ladder after stealing an impressive 94 bases and earned a Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove in just his second season last year. The 22-year-old could make his debut sooner than expected if room opens up in the outfield.

Hence and Roby are two starting pitchers with loads of potential who need more experience but could have an impact in seasons to come.

Saggese is an infielder who recorded 170 hits last season -- the most by any player in Minor League Baseball in 2023. His versatility and consistency at the plate could earn him a spot in the big leagues sooner than expected.

Despite the recent gloomy ratings of St. Louis' farm system, Cardinals fans should keep their heads up about the organization's future as there's plenty of talent to look forward to.

More MLB: Cardinals Could Make One More Splash, Sign Starter With Career 3.27 ERA

The St. Louis Cardinals have been on a mission this winter to retool their pitching staff after a disappointing 2023 season.

The club has landed three proven starters and added two notable relievers by trading for right-hander Andrew Kittredge and recently signing free agent Keynan Middleton.

Before making the latest addition to the bullpen, the Cardinals were reportedly exploring a reunion with a former reliever.

"During the Cardinals' ongoing talks with free-agent relievers, they explored a reunion with right-hander John Brebbia before he signed with the (Chicago) White Sox, per a source," the St. Louis Dispatch's Derrick Goold reported Friday.

Brebbia posted a 6-7 record with a 3.14 ERA, 198-to-54 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .212 batting average against and a 1.10 WHIP throughout three seasons pitched for the Cardinals.

The 33-year-old made his Major League Baseball debut with St. Louis in 2017 and has been fairly consistent throughout his career -- 2021 being the only year he recorded and ERA+ below league average.

The former Cardinals hurler held a 3-5 record with a 3.99 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 38 1/3 innings pitched for the San Francisco Giants last season.

Adding Brebbia to St. Louis' pitching arsenal would have been a solid move, but the latest signing of Middleton should certainly prove to be impactful. The Cardinals needed another high-leverage hurler and found what they were looking for.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in less than two weeks and it appears that the Cardinals pitching staff is locked and loaded to bounce back in 2024.

More MLB: Cardinals Reportedly 'Expressed Interest' In Polarizing Reliever To Bolster Bullpen

Will the St. Louis Cardinals make one more impactful move before pitchers and catchers report to spring training in a couple of weeks?

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak set out this offseason to add three new starting pitchers and two high-leverage arms.

The signings of Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson filled the voids in the rotation. From there, Mozelaik traded for right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge and, pending a physical, landed Keynan Middleton late Thursday night to presumably round out the bullpen.

However, could there be one more move on the way? St. Louis reportedly had interest in a polarizing hurler before signing Middleton.

"They also expressed interest this offseason in right-hander Ryan Brasier, a former (Boston) Red Sox reliever who had a breakout second half with the (Los Angeles) Dodgers in 2023," the St. Louis Dispatch's Derrick Goold reported Friday.

Brasier is coming off an extremely unusual season but his stock might be as high as it's ever been.

The 36-year-old started his season in Boston and posted a horrendous 7.29 ERA with an 18-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .286 batting average against and a 1.57 WHIP in 21 innings.

After being released, the Dodgers picked him up and added a cutter to his pitch mix, which led to other corrections coming into place. Safe to say, those adjustments did wonders.

Brasier posted a 0.70 ERA with a 38-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .140 batting average against and a 0.72 WHIP in 38 2/3 innings to close out his 2023 campaign in Los Angeles.

The report is phrased as if the Cardinals were seeking one final addition of note and picked Middleton out of a few options, including Brasier. The plan was always to add a pair of high-leverage arms and that mission has been completed.

With that said, Brasier caught Mozeliak's eye and he might come cheaper than expected as he's yet to find a team with spring training on the horizon. 

Brasier likely will sign elsewhere for a semi-lucrative figure but until then there remains a glimmer of hope that St. Lous makes one more impactful signing.

If not, they still should have a top-10 bullpen in baseball after a successful retooling.

More MLB: Cardinals Reportedly Sign High-Leverage Reliever Coming Of Stellar Season

The St. Louis Cardinals have been quiet as of late after adding three free-agent starting pitchers earlier this offseason.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak's only notable addition following his rotation revamp was right-hander Andrew Kittredge, who came over from the Tampa Bay Rays via trade.

Since then, the Cardinals have been in search of a second high-leverage reliever and reportedly found their guy.

"Free-agent reliever Keynan Middleton and the St. Louis Cardinals are in agreement on a contract, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal," FanSided's Robert Murray reported late Thursday night.

The 30-year-old hurler posted a 3.38 ERA with a 64-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .214 batting average against and a 1.24 WHIP in 50 2/3 innings between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in what became a career year.

Middleton posted a 133 ERA+ last season -- meaning he was 33% better than the league average pitcher -- largely in part due to a unique pitch usage strategy. 

The veteran deployed his changeup as his primary pitch (42.9% usage rate) and his slider as a secondary pitch (30.8%), which made his 95.5 mph fastball incredibly effective -- 26.3% usage rate with a .122 batting average against.

Middleton will accompany Kittredge, Ryan Helsley, Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero to form a potent back-end of the bullpen.

The terms of the contract have yet to be released.

More MLB: Cardinals Could Make One More Splash, Sign Starter With Career 3.27 ERA

The St. Louis Cardinals rotation failed to compete in 2023, contributing to one of the worst records in franchise history.

After the losses of Adam Wainwright to retirement, and Jack Flaherty plus Jordan Montgomery to last year's trade deadline, the club had some major holes to fill going into this winter.

The Cardinals acted early and aggressively to retool the roster by signing 2023 American League Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray, former Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn and right-hander Kyle Gibson.

President of baseball operations John Mozeliak has expressed contentment with the rejuvenated rotation but left the door open for future additions if the right opportunity arose.

A potential roster-bolstering option for the Cardinals could come from signing left-handed pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu -- who is an unrestricted free agent.

Ryu has a career 78-48 record with a 3.27 ERA, 934-to-236 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .250 batting average against and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 seasons pitched between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays.

The 36-year-old has flown under the radar as one of the most underrated talents of the last decade and appears to have some juice left in him. Ryu missed most of last season after having Tommy John surgery at the end of 2022 but returned in August to record a 3.46 ERA across 11 starts.

St. Louis has missed chances to add firepower to their pitching arsenal and there are speculations that the newest acquisitions won't be enough.

Signing a mid-market pitcher like Ryu with an impressive track record would certainly increase the Cardinals' chances of turning things around in 2024 without having to break the bank to do so.

More MLB: Pair Of Cardinals Rising Stars Land On ESPN's Top 100 Prospect List

The St. Louis Cardinals already have improved the starting rotation this offseason but it wouldn't be too surprising to see another move happen.

St. Louis' rotation already is in a much better place. The Cardinals added Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson, and Lance Lynn early in the offseason and haven't added any more depth to the rotation to this point.

There's a strong possibility that St. Louis will enter Spring Training with the rotation it currently has. While this is the case, the club still has been mentioned in trade rumors for starters. 

If St. Louis adds another hurler, it likely would be through a trade and probably wouldn't be a massive shakeup.

One possible deal that has been floated for St. Louis as a win-win option is a trade of Alec Burleson to the San Diego Padres for either Randy Vásquez or Jhony Brito, according to Fox Sports' Jordan Shusterman. 

"San Diego Padres acquire (first baseman/outfielder) Alec Burleson from St. Louis Cardinals for (right-handed pitcher) Randy Vásquez (right-handed pitcher) Jhony Brito," Shusterman said. "Left field remains a massive hole for the Padres to address after trading away Juan Soto. While no one can replace a generational talent like Soto, the Padres currently rank 30th in FanGraph's projected leftfield production — not an encouraging mark for a team desperate to bounce back after such a disappointing 2023...

"While neither (Trevor Larnach) nor Burleson has found extended MLB success, each has hit well in the upper minors and offers elements to their offensive profiles that could blossom in the big leagues if given enough playing time. On the other side, St. Louis has been aggressively pursuing pitching at all levels since last year's trade deadline, while Minnesota could use some controllable young pitching to help backfill Sonny Gray's departure in free agency."

San Diego acquired both Brito and Vásquez from the New York Yankees earlier this offseason in the blockbuster deal centered around Soto. Neither has extensive big-league experience, but both showed flashes in New York.

Why not take a chance on a young hurler if either is available?

More MLB: Blue Jays Have 'No Plans' To Deal Possible Cardinals Trade Target Despite Rumors

What's next for the St. Louis Cardinals?

St. Louis already is in a much better spot than it was when the 2023 season came to a close. The Cardinals had one of their most underwhelming seasons in recent memory and clearly have been trying to improve the roster.

The Cardinals made a specific effort to improve the starting rotation and did so by adding Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson quickly. St. Louis also has bolstered its bullpen.

It's unclear if the club will make another addition, but some have speculated if they do, it would be a trade for a starting pitcher. Multiple hurlers have been floated as options with the most recent being Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Alek Manoah.

While this is the case, Toronto reportedly has "no plans" on trading the young hurler, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

"Teams have asked the Blue Jays about Alek Manoah’s availability via trade, but sources say the Jays are telling clubs they have no plans to move him," Morosi said. "I’m told Manoah has had a very good offseason of workouts. He’s expected to be in the Jays’ rotation."

Manoah had a difficult 2023 season, to say the least, but still would be a very interesting pickup if the Blue Jays changed their minds. He is just 26 years old and finished in third place in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2022 after logging a 2.24 ERA and 180-to-51 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

He may have had a bad 2024 campaign, but he's certainly a bounce-back candidate.

More MLB: Cardinals Seen As 'Possible Fit' For Ex-Red Sox, Dodgers Hurler After Surprising Season

The St. Louis Cardinals are just about geared up to rebound from their tumultuous 2023 after addressing key roster issues this winter.

On top of the latest acquisitions, the Cardinals also have some internal reinforcements in the form of a pair of rising stars listed on ESPN's Top 100 Prospects List For 2024 to look forward to.

Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn was named the No. 20 prospect, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. The 21-year-old phenom made his Major League Baseball debut last season with St. Louis and has a good chance of being the Cardinals' Opening Day shortstop.

Winn hit .288 with 40 extra-base hits including 18 home runs, 61 RBIs and a .833 OPS in 105 games played for Triple-A Memphis last season.

The young infielder was called up to the big leagues following the trade of Paul DeJong at last year's trade deadline where he logged .172/.230/238 with 21 hits in 37 games. His strong arm and promising offensive potential might prove to have an impact on the Cardinals in 2024.

After Winn comes right-handed pitcher Tink Hence at No. 49. The 21-year-old has been climbing his way up through the farm system since being drafted by St. Louis in 2020 but has not exceeded the Double-A level yet.

Hence posted a 4-6 record with a 4.31 ERA, 99-to-34 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .258 batting average against and a 1.33 WHIP in 96 innings pitched for High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield in 2023.

The rising starting pitcher has the potential to be an ace for the Cardinals one day but will need more time to develop before his debut.

Between the rejuvenated roster and the promising future of the organization with the loaded farm system -- Cardinals fans have every right to be excited for what's to come.

More MLB: Cardinals Acquire First Baseman From Angels To Bolster Position Player Depth

There are a surprising amount of intriguing free agents remaining. 

The free-agent market has been excruciatingly slow this offseason. There still are plenty of options out there at pretty much every spot and one team that could still use some help is the St. Louis Cardinals.

St. Louis' bullpen is the club's biggest area of need and the club has been linked to numerous hurlers this offseason. The Cardinals even are viewed as one of the "possible fits" for former Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers hurler Ryan Brasier, according to Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer. 

"At the time the Red Sox designated Ryan Brasier for assignment last May, he had made 20 appearances and been absolutely torched for a 7.29 ERA," Rymer said. "Well, then he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers and posted a 0.70 ERA in 39 appearances after June 21. No reliever who pitched as many as 38 innings after then did better...

"Possible Fits: New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles. Landing Spot Prediction: Dodgers. These clubs are all interested in Brasier, according to (Jon Heyman) and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Dodgers make the most sense. They know what it takes for him to succeed, and the bullpen is the one area of their roster that has yet to get an upgrade this winter."

This isn't the first time St. Louis has been mentioned as a possible fit for Brasier and likely won't be the last. He is a steady veteran who showed in the second half of the 2023 campaign that he still has something left in the tank.

He likely wouldn't cost much and could certainly be an option for St. Louis.

More MLB: Blue Jays All-Star Seen As 'Possible' Trade Option For Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals should compete for the National League Central division title next season.

St. Louis struggled in 2023, but has made some intriguing additions and seemingly are in a better spot on paper. The Cardinals will have to step it up on the field when the season comes, but things do seem better already.

The Cardinals' starting rotation has been fortified with the additions of Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson. Some have wondered if another move could be on the horizon, but the club already is in a better place.

St. Louis likely won't land any of the remaining free-agent hurlers and likely won't make another move, but if it did, it probably would be through a trade.

One player who has been floated as a possible trade option is Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Alek Manoah, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.

"It's always possible," Goold said. "Toronto has a lot of years of control and a lot invested so far, so they set a high price. There wasn't going to be a move for an untapped or struggling talent, not for an opportunist team. And then the price gets high enough that the interested team is going to want to see more certainty in the return. That's the tug of war. Watch it play out during spring and the season."

Goold was hosting a question-and-answer segment and was asked if Manoah could be an option. He would be an intriguing pickup if St. Louis could get a deal done.

He has been in trade rumors all offseason and had a down year in 2023. While this is the case, Manoah did log a 2.24 ERA in 31 appearances in 2022. Why not take a chance on him?

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The St. Louis Cardinals could have another move up their sleeve. 

St. Louis is already looking like a better club on paper. The Cardinals finished in last place in the National League Central in what was one of the worst seasons for the club in recent memory.

The Cardinals had high expectations entering the 2023 campaign but never were able to get on track. St. Louis' biggest areas of struggle last season were the starting rotation and bullpen. 

St. Louis already has improved both the rotation and bullpen this offseason, but another move could make sense.

One player who has been floated as a possible option is former Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros fireballer Ryne Stanek, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold. 

"Definitely a fit based on what the Cardinals have said they want to add," Goold said. "I've not been able to confirm an offer or direct contact. But that's more on my end than on the team's pursuits."

Stanek is one of the top remaining free-agent relief pitchers and would make a lot of sense for St. Louis. He won't cost much and finished in the 96th percentile in fastball velocity last season with Houston.

His numbers didn't jump off the paper as he logged a 4.09 ERA in 55 appearances in 2023 but he had an eye-popping 1.15 ERA in 59 appearances in 2022. 

If he could return to that level of play, he could be a massive pickup for St. Louis.

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