Before most teams could make a single move in free agency, the St. Louis Cardinals signed three starting pitchers.
But ever then, John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations for the Cardinals, has proceeded glacially.
The bullpen’s back end was strengthened by the acquisition of right-hander Andrew Kittredge and the addition of pitching depth via the trade of Tyler O’Neill. Nevertheless, the objective is still to add another high-leverage arm to the group, joining Ryan Helsley, Giovanny Gallegos, and Jojo Romero.
In 50 2/3 innings last season, Stanek recorded a 4.09 ERA, a 51-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a.221 batting average against, and a 1.24 WHIP.
Stanek’s ceiling is far higher, even though St. Louis would welcome that kind of output after a season in which the bullpen recorded a total 4.47 ERA.
As a key player in the Astros World Series run in 2022, the right-hander produced a 1.15 ERA with a 62-to-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a.188 batting average against, and a 1.23 WHIP in 54 2/3 innings.
Although that season seems to have been a bit of an anomaly, the 32-year-old has a 142 ERA+ over the last three seasons, which indicates that he has outperformed the league average by 42% during that time.
After finishing last in the National League Central, St. Louis needs to add as much quality as possible to the pitching staff.
Stanek would not only help the Cardinals, but his signing would also keep him from joining the rival Cubs, which was a pleasant bonus.
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