The St. Louis Cardinals have a so-called wish list of pitchers to sign this offseason, starting with the likes of Julio Urias, Aaron Nola and Blake Snell. Logan Gilbert of the Seattle Mariners was also a trade target of theirs at the deadline.
As nice as any of those players would look in Cards colors, they aren't realistic targets. John Mozeliak and Co. have never been ones to flaunt that sort of cash on a long-term deal for a pitcher. Sadly, any of those starters would be looking for a 5-to-7 year commitment, at the very least.
With that in mind, let's theorize on some other pitchers St. Louis could acquire -- perhaps players they're familiar with, as well.
St. Louis Cardinals Rumors: Is a Jack Flaherty return on the table?
Jack Flaherty dared to compare Camden Yards to Busch Stadium early in his Baltimore Orioles tenure, but for the most part he's still on good terms with the Cardinals. When he was traded at the deadline, Flaherty even made a point to suggest he'd be open to a return this offseason.
"Some of it's not in my control, and we've had our opportunities and our chances — but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be open to it," Flaherty told the Post-Dispatch. "All these guys here and we know what this team has. Nolan (Arenado) for a couple of more years. Goldy (Paul Goldschmidt) at least one more. You see what the offense can do. So, whatever is going to give me a chance to win, and here they've got the guys to do it."
The Cards can certainly offer a good offense behind Flaherty most years. This season has been one of his best in quite some time, and while he's performed admirably in Baltimore so far thanks to some tweaks in his pitch selection, a return to St. Louis for the right asking price would be tough to turn down.
St. Louis Cardinals Rumors: Jordan Montgomery is in the Cards
While Jack Flaherty may have rubbed some fans the wrong way during his St. Louis tenure, Jordan Montgomery was arguably the best pitcher on the team this season. Montgomery was not acquired to be a short-term asset, as the Cards dealt away outfielder Harrison Bader to the New York Yankees in exchange for his services.
Montgomery was dealt to the Texas Rangers at the deadline, as he's in the final year of his current contract. However, a return is not out of the question. Much like Flaherty, Montgomery liked his time in the Lou. FanSided MLB Insider Robert Murray wouldn't be surprised if the two sides reunited after this season.
"Jordan Montgomery will be expensive, especially as he continues to pitch like a frontline starter for the Texas Rangers. But the Cardinals know Montgomery, have actively pursued left-handed pitching in recent seasons, and ultimately acquired the left-hander from the New York Yankees for outfielder Harrison Bader at the 2022 trade deadline. Clearly the Cardinals like Montgomery. He was their best pitcher when he was in St. Louis. Yes, they traded him at this past deadline, but there is history of team's trading players and re-signing them (see: the Yankees trading Aroldis Chapman at the trade deadline and then re-signing him that same winter)."
As long as Montgomery isn't the best pitcher the Cardinals acquire this offseason, he'd be an excellent top-of-the-rotation signing. Thus far with Texas he has pitched quite well, proving he has what it takes to thrive in a pennant chase.
St. Louis Cardinals Rumors: Sign Michael Wacha after career year
Whatever Michael Wacha has done to fine-rune his delivery and pitch selection the last few years, it seems to be working. Wacha went 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA for the Boston Red Sox in 2022, and he's been even better this season with the San Diego Padres, pitching to a 2.62 ERA in 17 starts. Assuming that success continues, he's in line for a big contract this coming offseason.
The Padres and Wacha have a mutual $16 million option this offseason. Assuming Wacha does test the free-agent market, he should earn more than that. Going back home to St. Louis makes a lot of sense given the Cardinals need for starting pitching.
As Curt Bishop of SB Nation wrote, the return of Wacha does have its risks considering his BB/9 and constant battle with injuries. However, he may be just what the Cardinals need in their rotation.
"This year, he has been a revelation for the Padres, and he looks much more like his 2013 self. The former Cardinal is 9-2 with a 2.68 ERA in his 16 starts. When healthy, he has been about as dominant as you can be. The Cardinals also need strikeout stuff in their rotation. He is averaging 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings this year in San Diego and has a career average of 7.9 strikeouts."
That sort of strikeout production has been lacking in the St. Louis rotation for quite some time. While the Cards infield defense is one of the best in the majors (you can thank Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt for that), being able to strike out hitters when necessary is an important trait for any starting pitcher. Wacha has found that and then some.