5 reassuring things about the Cardinals’ offseason

Word on the street is they’re done, so here’s why it’ll be okay.

Hat tip to you, Bill DeWitt Jr. and John Mozeliak. Don’t think of that as a traditional pat on the back. The St. Louis Cardinals owner and showrunner know how to stir the pot and make moves that both please and befuddle their fanbase. Acquisitions like Andrew Kittredge on Friday share a joy and dread that ends up setting off a tripwire of spiraled moves previously made by “MoWitt.”

Instead of realizing they got a solid reliever who returned in August from Tommy John recovery looking sharp, they worry that departing outfielder Richie Palacios will turn into Randy Arozarena 2.0. That is if he doesn’t revert back to 2022 Palacios form. That may be harsh; blame the fumes on the fans demanding more from a team that did set high aspirations with past success and sustained postseason participation.

Here’s a few glass half full reflections on an offseason that won’t catapult them back into immediate contention, but definitely allows them the chance to overachieve and dream a little. Coming back from a 71-loss season isn’t a late night show music appearance; more like a multi-year arc on a popular television show.

5) KITTREDGE LEVERAGE

Say that three times and sip some coffee. No, the government sleuth that hounded Tom Cruise’s spy in the Mission: Impossible series isn’t coming to a Cards bullpen near you-even if it would be cool if Henry Czerny could pitch. Andrew Kittredge can thankfully pitch and then some.

Whatever hesitation his recent return from major surgery may cause, the righthander’s skill set should calm those fears. While a strikeout rate of 9.7 is impressive, it’s the low walk rate that rounds out the appeal. He misses bats and induces ground balls, which shouldn’t be a problem with a defense that used to carry gold glove colors yet struggled in 2023. Kittredge will help bridge the gap from the starter to closer Ryan Helsley, a responsibility he’ll share with Zach Thompson, Giovanny Gallegos, JoJo Romero, and possibly Matthew Liberatore.

It’s not a bullpen reviving move yet one that should add some much needed depth to the group. Kittredge’s career ERA/FIP of 3.65/3.83 assures you that he’s not gambling with the baseball in late game work.

4) DON’T SLEEP ON GIBSON

Kyle Benjamin Gibson compiled a 4.21 or better earned run average in four of six months last season, including a 2.45 ERA in the final month. He’ll take the ball every fifth day (30 or more starts in six of 11 seasons), giving the team a reliable anchor for the lower part of the rotation that was sorely missed last year. It’s a one year deal too, but no wish required. More on that later.

3) LYNN AND BUSCH MATRIMONY

I understand the hesitation with Lynn. King Fastball wasn’t good in 2023, getting pounded for 44 homers overall in multiple cities and leagues. He was hammered in his final appearance during the playoffs, serving up smashed burgers that carried more juice than Mac’s Local Eats.

But I’ll remain bullish on his bounce back potential. Digging into a career 2.85 ERA at Busch Stadium in 77 career starts doesn’t require toasted ravioli hallucination. Lynn can still pile up starts and strikeouts too. And remember before his HR charity system went off road last summer, Lynn’s pitching had allowed no more than 27 homers in a single season.

The winds that sail through the Arch seem to have a calming effect on Lynn’s cheddar infused arsenal. He didn’t look helpless the past three seasons. He was a fine asset as recently as 2022, another rotation anchor. An older lion returning to where it all began, and another one year deal that won’t blow up in anyone’s face.

2) SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS

Since MoWitt buried themselves so deep in rotation debt, it will take 2-3 seasons for this roster to pull itself back into a one lane highway to October. Don’t lean into Gibson or Lynn too hard, for better or worse. If they turn out to be duds, you can cut and run easily. Those options should be earned. Kittredge is arbitration eligible for one more season.

They can start over in October. Think of this as the first plate at Ponderosa. You peruse everything, cold and hot commodities. What fits? What still stinks? In this current MLB landscape, $178 million (their current-ish payroll) doesn’t buy you a get out of Crapville ticket that fast. The team said $200 million and spent less, par for the course unless they add in August.

1) GRAY MAN

Two things are true. The 2022 Ryan Gosling Netflix actioner is underrated. Secondly, Sonny Gray is being treated the same way by *some* fans.

They don’t realize that the free agent market isn’t exactly packed with juicy ribeye arms. The Dodgers were going to get those two big arms all along. They spend ridiculous amounts of money on a yearly basis. Blake Snell is a risky bet even for a two time Cy Young winner, and Jordan Montgomery isn’t a more proven top rotation arm than Gray.

Would it be nice to get Gray AND Montgomery? Sure. Eating an entire large pizza from Pie Guy Pizza would be nice if my body didn’t hate me for a week afterwards. For the record, I’d still eat the pizza, but believing MoWitt will get both pitchers is a dream. It’s what it is.

Just believe in Gray, a big game pitcher with a Waino-type personality. He looks like a long term stay instead of a guess. A second place Cy finish doesn’t make the Midwest heart grow fonder, so bank the bucks on a 2.83 FIP in 32 starts last year. He doesn’t allow many home runs, and also keeps base runners to a minimum. It’s something to take notice of when a guy who affects just 32 games a year can register 18th in MVP voting. Gray did that.

Gray hasn’t experienced a rough season since 2018 when he was a Yankee. A nice stint in Cincinnati preceded his Minnesota trip, so he is familiar with each league. He’s not a question mark, unlike some whiny question marks named Jack.

The Cardinals as a whole could resemble a team closer to questionable than assured, but their offseason did fulfill a promise. They acquired three starters, and found some depth for the bullpen while unloading some expiring talent. More would have been nice, but I was surprised at what they did do.

The Brewers and Cubs didn’t exactly reload with a vengeance, so the division isn’t a locked down entity entering the season. St Louis left some to desired to his offseason, and it’s not over yet. But they added a couple eaters and late game pen option on low liability, and secured an arm who looks more like an ace than everyone since #50.

Gotta start somewhere after you pull an early 90s record. Patience is my advice.

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Photo credit: Abbie Parr (AP)