St Louis Cardinals - Inside The Cardinals

One former member of the St. Louis Cardinals will be joining the Chicago White Sox in 2024.

Former Cardinals relief pitcher John Brebbia impressed last season with the San Francisco Giants and has been looking for a new home. He reportedly has found one as he agreed to a one-year deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

"Source: John Brebbia has signed with the White Sox," Morosi said. "(right-handed pitcher) John Brebbia, who had a 3.99 ERA in 40 games for the Giants in 2023, has signed a one-year MLB deal with the White Sox."

Brebbia was selected in the 30th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft by the New York Yankees. The righty began his professional career with New York but was eventually released in 2013 and spent some time playing Independent ball.

He signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015 and soon after was selected by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft. Brebbia eventually made his big league debut with the Cardinals in 2017. He spent three seasons with St. Louis and logged a 3.14 ERA in 161 total appearances to go along with a 198-to-54 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

Brebbia eventually joined the Giants ahead of the 2021 campaign and has spent the last three seasons in San Francisco. Over that stretch, he logged a 3.83 ERA in 134 total appearances with a 123-to-36 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 124 2/3 innings pitched. 

The 33-year-old will now join a White Sox club that is in an intriguing spot. Chicago has plenty of talent on the roster but seems to be nearing a rebuild. 

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The St. Louis Cardinals made a surprising move Friday.

St. Louis opened up a roster spot by transferring right-handed pitcher James Naile to the KIA Tigers and some speculated that another roster move could be coming. It didn't take too long for one to come to fruition as the club officially signed former Cardinal Matt Carpenter to a one-year contract, according to the club.

"We have signed three-time All-Star (infielder) Matt Carpenter to a one-year contract for the 2024 season," the club said. 

Carpenter was selected by St. Louis in the 13th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft. He eventually made his big league debut with St. Louis in 2011. Carpenter didn't make the club's postseason roster after playing just seven games at the big league level but was awarded a World Series championship ring after St. Louis took home the championship that season. 

He developed into an All-Star while playing for the Cardinals and earned three appearances in 11 seasons with St. Louis. Carpenter left the Cardinals after the 2021 season and has spent time with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. 

Carpenter certainly is an intriguing pickup. He struggled last season with the Padres but was very solid with the Yankees in 2022. While with New York, Carpenter clubbed 15 home runs, drove in 37 runs, and slashed .305/.412/.727 in just 47 games played. 

If he could play at that level, he could be a very solid depth piece for St. Louis in 2024.

More MLB: Cardinals Reportedly Could Make Addition As Soon As Friday

What are the St. Louis Cardinals cooking?

St. Louis made an intriguing move Thursday night and transferred right-handed pitcher James Naile to the KIA Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization for cash.

Naile was on St. Louis' 40-man roster but now that he is on the way out of town, the club's 40-man roster sits at 39. It's unclear exactly what the club will do, but the club likely will use the spot on a relief pitcher.

St. Louis could even fill the spot as soon as Friday, according to MLB.com's John Denton.

"The move leaves the St. Louis Cardinals with 39 players on their 40-player roster," Denton said. "Another move — likely the addition of another reliever — could be coming as soon as Friday."

There still are some very intriguing hurlers available in free agency that could help St. Louis' bullpen. Some of the top players still available are Josh Hader, Robert Stephenson, Héctor Neris, Aroldis Chapman, Wandy Peralta, Matt Moore, and Keynan Middleton among others. 

St. Louis had one of the worst bullpens in baseball last season. The Cardinals' starting rotation struggled and it taxed the bullpen that already was overworked. St. Louis has made a few intriguing additions this offseason and it sounds like another could be on the way.

The Cardinals have been linked to a handful of players and although it's unclear who they are going to bring in, it's getting more likely that a signing is on the way.

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The St. Louis Cardinals are searching far and wide to make all moves possible to improve the club, even if that includes making a trade with an organization almost 7,000 miles away. 

Cardinal president of baseball operations John Mozeliak already has made some moves to revamp the starting rotation and is in the process of improving the bullpen.

The expectation is that St. Louis will add one more high-leverage arm before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Prior to doing so, the Cardinals have opened up a roster spot in a unique way.

"Roster Move: We have transferred right-handed pitcher James Naile to the KIA Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization in exchange for cash considerations," the team announced late Thursday night.

Naile posted a 7.40 ERA with a 12-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .330 batting average against and a 1.89 WHIP in 24 1/3 innings for the Cardinals in breif stints between 2022-2023 -- his only big-league action. 

The move indicates an addition is on the way as St. Louis' 40-man roster has a vacancy. A reliever filling the role in short order is likely, though the caliber of said player is unknown. 

More MLB: Cardinals Superstar Reportedly 'Good Bet' To Land Extension Next Season

One former member of the St. Louis Cardinals certainly has a big market in free agency.

Former Cardinals pitcher Jordan Montgomery is one of the most sought-after free agents still available on the open market. Montgomery began the 2023 season with St. Louis but was traded to the Texas Rangers ahead of the trade deadline.

St. Louis has been mentioned as a possible option for Montgomery, but at this point a signing certainly is unlikely. Montgomery is going to get a massive contract and he likely is out of the Cardinals' budget. 

Montgomery has been linked to a handful of other teams this offseason but hasn't made a decision, yet. One team that has been mentioned as a possible fit is the Los Angeles Angels, according to Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter. 

"The list of teams with money to spend and a need in the starting rotation has steadily dwindled as the offseason has progressed, leaving a limited number of potential landing spots for Jordan Montgomery given his expected asking price of over $100 million," Reuter said. "Outside of adding Zach Plesac, Luis García, and Adam Cimber on low-cost deals, the Angels have done little of note this offseason to counter the loss of Shohei Ohtani in free agency.

"Adding Montgomery to a starting rotation that also includes Reid Detmers, Griffin Canning, Patrick Sandoval, and Tyler Anderson would make the staff a sneaky strength."

Reuter compiled a list of realistic options to help fill each club's biggest hole and mentioned Montgomery for the Angels. Los Angeles needs to add a new ace after losing Ohtani and Montgomery could make a lot of sense.

More MLB: Cardinals Mentioned As Possible Landing Spot For Superstar Closer

The St. Louis Cardinals finished 2023 at the bottom of the National League Central with hopes for a brighter future.

The club has been busy retooling the rotation and bullpen this winter while investing in the farm system and hiring former Boston Red Sox baseball chief officer Chaim Bloom to an advisory role.

It's also worth noting that the Cardinals possess five players who were recently listed among the top 100 prospects going into the 2024 season.

The five Cardinals prospects listed include Masyn Winn (#39), Tekoah Roby (#75), Victor Scott II (#83), Tink Hence (#84), and Thomas Saggese (#85), according to Baseball America's 2024 Top 100 Prospects List.

Winn batted .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. 

Following the trade of Paul DeJong at last year's trade deadline, Winn was called up to the big leagues. The talented shortstop finished 2023 playing for the Cardinals where he logged .172/.230/.238 in 122 plate appearances.

Roby posted a 2-3 record with a 4.63 ERA, 69-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .250 batting average against and a 1.20 WHIP in 58 1/3 innings pitched for Double-A Frisco and Springfield in 2023.

The 22-year-old starting pitcher is showing promise early on in his career and could be a valuable asset to the Cardinals' rotation down the line. Roby battled injuries last season but should be much more valuable when healthy.

Scott II hit .303 with 39 extra-base hits including nine home runs, 63 RBIs and a .794 OPS in 132 games played for High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield last season.

The center fielder is quickly making a name for himself after stealing an impressive 94 bases and earning a Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove in just his second season. The 22-year-old is playing under an organization that has strong outfield depth, so it might take a while before we see Scott II suit up at Busch Stadium.

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 21-year-old has a fastball that explodes up in the zone and often leaves batters whiffing. The young starting pitcher has the potential to develop into an ace if he can succeed while taking on a heavier workload.

Saggese batted .306 with 66 extra-base hits including 26 home runs, 111 RBIs and a .904 OPS in 139 games played for Double-A Frisco and Springfield and Triple-A Memphis last season.

The young infielder was promoted twice in 2023 and finished the year with 170 hits -- the most by any player in Minor League Baseball last season. His ability to man second base, third base, and shortstop while executing with such consistency at the plate might earn him a Major League Baseball debut soon if he keeps it up.

The Cardinals have a lot to look forward to with the aforementioned talents in their farm system. It might be some time before we see any of them shine in the big leagues but it's great to recognize that there is certainly hope for the organization's future.

More MLB: Cardinals Mentioned As Possible Landing Spot For Superstar Closer

The St. Louis Cardinals may be done adding to the roster this offseason, but if another move is coming it likely would be for a reliever. 

St. Louis already has made a handful of moves this offseason and has improved the roster on paper. The starting rotation is in a much better place and the bullpen also has had some intriguing additions.

While this is the case, St. Louis still could use another arm to help bolster the bullpen after a down year in 2023. The Cardinals had one of the worst bullpens in baseball last season and have needed a boost.

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter compiled a list of realistic options for each Major League Baseball club to sign this offseason and mentioned superstar closer Josh Hader as an option for St. Louis. 

"The Cardinals moved quickly to address a porous starting rotation, adding Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson in free agency, but it still feels like a stretch to call the pitching staff a strength," Reuter said. With the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers looking less and less likely as potential landing spots for All-Star closer Josh Hader, finding a good fit for the electric left-hander is becoming a bit difficult.

"Adding him to the back of the St. Louis bullpen alongside Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos would bolster the entire pitching staff, shortening games to help take pressure off an old rotation."

While this isn't indicative of a move on the way, landing Hader would be a solid pickup for St. Louis. He arguably has been the best closer in baseball over the last few years and logged an eye-popping 1.28 ERA and 85-to-30 strikeout-to-walk ratio with 33 saves.

A move should be considered unlikely as Hader's price tag is expected to be massive, but if it comes down, St. Louis could be an intriguing fit.

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