JUST IN: Top insider urge Cardinals to Reunion With Starting Pitcher Coming Off Strong Season

The St. Louis Cardinals’ top priority this offseason has been to retool the rotation, which they’ve done admirably so far.

The Cardinals’ rotation has been bolstered by the additions of American League Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray, right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson, and former Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak stated that after the latest signings, St. Louis is satisfied with the rotation and will focus on bolstering the bullpen – while remaining open to other possibilities.

With that said, signing former St. Louis pitcher Michael Wacha to a short-term contract could improve the Cardinals’ chances of having a winning season in 2024.

Over the last two seasons, Wacha has gone 25-6 with a 3.27 ERA (127 ERA+), 228-to-74 strikeout-to-walk ratio,.228 batting average against, and 1.14 WHIP in 261 1/3 innings across 47 starts for the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres.

The 32-year-old free agent is on the rise and would be an excellent addition to the Cardinals’ rotation.

In terms of average annual value, the right-handed pitcher is a middle-of-the-market starting pitcher who would likely match Gibson and Lynn’s salary costs.

Gray’s contract is back-loaded, so the Cardinals only owe him $10 million this season. They should use the extra payroll space to sign another starting pitcher, such as Wacha, on a short-term contract.

The Cardinals’ rotation may not be enough to turn things around next season, according to some. At this point, adding a high-leverage hurler like Jordan Montgomery or Yoshinobu Yamamoto is unlikely, but Wacha makes sense.

Will the Cardinals make one more attempt to add rotation depth in 2024?