The St. Louis Cardinals have promised to have a busy offseason. After several seasons in which the club should have bolstered their pitching staff, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak plans to make good on this idea.
Instead of depending on what they already have and hoping for the best, Mozeliak plans to bring on at least three pitchers while acknowledging they will have more than the usual five-man rotation going forward. Meaning, that they could include some of the shining stars they have discovered since deciding to concentrate on what they have to bring into 2024.
With Adam Wainwright retiring at the end of the season, Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz are the only starting pitchers signed beyond this season. Drew Rom, who came to St. Louis in the deal for Jack Flaherty, could be an option for the rotation along with Zack Thompson and Dakota Hudson. The Cardinals also have other internal options who could see time in 2024 including Gordon Graceffo, Cooper Hjerpe, Michael McGreevy, Adam Kloffenstein and Tekoah Roby.
The Cardinals already seem in better shape than they were before 2023. But they will still need a veteran presence. A couple of veteran arms would be an excellent addition. The team could even use a veteran outfielder who can hit to add to a young outfield that includes Jordan Walker and Lars Nootbaar.
While it seems certain there will be some change in the offseason, there could be some surprises for fans about who may stick around. Drew VerHagen is the only remaining free agent after the other free agents were traded. Several players will be in their individual seasons of arbitration eligibility and it will be curious to see if the Cardinals tender those players a contract or nontender the players, and move on.
Lets discuss some players who could surprisingly be back with the Cardinals for 2024.
Tyler O'Neill could be a surprise return for the Cardinals
O'Neill had a rough start to his season with accusations of lacking hustle and a return of lingering health issues. After a couple of months off, though, O'Neill seems to have returned to a point where he can contribute. While it's not exactly what they want, he is performing better while keeping an eye on his health and doing what he can for his team.
This season he is hitting .242/.323./.423 with an OPS of .746. He has 14 doubles, nine home runs, 27 runs scored, 21 RBI and five stolen bases. He has been a nice defensive presence in left field again, providing his typical Gold Glove-caliber efforts. With two Gold Glove awards in his trophy case, the Cardinals would love to see him return to that form.
They'd also like to see the return of his 2021 offensive output which saw him knock 34 home runs on the season. It's obvious he would like to get back to that as well. While frustrating for now, if O'Neill can display his current track of maintaining his health, and being honest when he can and can't go, the Cardinals could hold on to O'Neill and take one more gamble on him returning to form.
The 2024 season will be his final arbitration-eligible season, making him a free agent in 2025. The Cardinals could keep O'Neill around and if he's not performing to the team's expectations, it could be used as trade bait at the deadline next season. It is likely the Cardinals will give him the opportunity he needs before trading him this offseason.
Jack Flaherty could be a surprise return for the Cardinals
It would be a big surprise to see Flaherty return to the Cardinals after getting traded at the deadline to the Baltimore Orioles for Drew Rom, Cesar Prieto and Zack Showalter.
Flaherty has struggled through injuries for the past couple of seasons but seemed to be making strides toward a comeback prior to the Cardinals trading him. Since joining the Orioles though, he appears to have reverted back to his struggles. In six games started for the Orioles, he is 1-2, with a 7.16 ERA over 27.2 innings. While he has 32 strikeouts, he's also given up six homers and 22 earned runs. Again. That's over six games.
Flaherty isn't leaving a great impression and it would be surprising if the Orioles tried to bring him back. It would also be surprising to see the Cardinals bring him back, but it is seemingly more likely if he is struggling, the Cardinals know what's going on and can continue to try to help him move forward maybe on a two or three-year deal laced with incentives.
The rumor has always been that he wants to play in southern California, but with how he's playing now that is not likely. It would be interesting to see him come back to the Cardinals, retool and see where that leads him.
Drew VerHagen could surprisingly return to the Cardinals next season
After appearing in 54 games for the Cardinals this season, VerHagen went 4-1 on the season. He's been a long relief option for the Cardinals. Despite some struggle, it would not be a surprise to see him return to the Cards next season.
Over 55 innings this season, he has a 4.09 ERA with 53 strikeouts. He spent some time on the injured list this season. While his statistics show that he has indeed struggled, he has shown some improvement.
That improvement combined with Marmol continuing to use him situationally, indicates that VerHagen could come back to the Cardinals next season. He is a veteran arm for the bullpen, which is important. The bullpen has gotten young and having VerHagen available for those youngsters could be good for them as they are finding their way.
Richie Palacios could surprisingly return to the Cardinals next season
Palacios has become a fan favorite since making his debut with the Cardinals.
Palacios was traded to the Cardinals in June by the Guardians. The Guardians received cash considerations for a young man who has become a fun piece to this resurgent team. In his last seven games, he's hitting .389/.421/.889 with three home runs, a walk, one stolen base and three RBI.
Palacios came into Tuesday's game after Nolan Gorman exited due to a hamstring strain. Palacios played centerfield and hit two home runs. Amazing! He started Wednesday evening's game playing second base and hit a solo home run. It was the only run the Cardinals needed as they swept the Orioles.
He is a fun, scrappy player with some power. It will not be arbitration-eligible until 2026. Hopefully, he will spend more time with St. Louis next season. Each time he's put in the game, he shows just how much he deserves it.
Dakota Hudson could be a surprise return to the Cardinals
It was actually a surprise to see Hudson get called up to St. Louis after spending much of the season in Memphis. But since his call-up, he has been so impressive.
In 15 games, Hudson is 6-2 on the season. He's pitched 65.1 innings with an ERA of 5.10. He's got 37 strikeouts. He seems to have a more confident mindset and credits new pitching coach Dusty Blake with helping him understand analytics.
Next season will be crucial for Hudson's future as it's his final season of arbitration eligibility as he'll be a free agent in 2025.
Dylan Carlson could be a surprise return to the Cardinals
Carlson spent the last several weeks attempting to heal and rehab in preparation for returning to finish out the 2023 season. Rather that setting a return date, the Cardinals announced Carlson is having season-ending arthroscopic ankle surgery.
Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported Carlson's surgery, expected to take place next week in Charlotte, will remove bone spurs in his ankle, enabling him to be ready for the start of the 2024 season. Worthy reported Carlson should expect an eight-to-12-week recovery period before he gets into an offseason training program.
Carlson was mentioned in many trade deals involving the Cardinals, but the team did not move him. Carlson's first season of arbitration eligibility will be this offseason. He will be a free agent in 2027.
Hopefully, Carlson and the Cardinals can avoid arbitration, allowing him to have some security while going through his rehab process to get ready for a productive 2024 season in which he can finally show off his talent.