Cardinals could target reunion with former All-Star this winter

The St. Louis Cardinals are dealing with all sorts of problems. With their loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night, they fell below the .500 mark for the first time since June 19.

St. Louis had seemingly overcome their dreadful 15-24 start, but they have now fallen on hard times again. They are at risk of not only missing the postseason two straight years, but also recording back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1994-1995.

They'll need some pitching in the offseason, and they could pursue a reunion with a former All-Star.

"The Royals made a savvy signing in acquiring Michael Wacha last offseason on a one-year, $16 million contract with a player option next year for the same amount," Jim Bowden wrote. "In all likelihood, he will decline the option and return to free agency to get a longer-term deal."

Wacha made his Major League debut with St. Louis in 2013 and earned NLCS MVP honors. He was with the Cards until 2019.

But the right-hander has finally become the pitcher the Cardinals thought he would be when he first came up. He also just faced his old club, going seven innings and allowing just two runs.

The 33-year-old is 9-6 with a 3.50 ERA in his 21 starts with the Kansas City Royals. He certainly would bolster the Cardinals rotation and give them a reliable arm to count on in 2025.

His postseason experience also speaks for itself, so he would give the Cardinals a better chance to win in October should they make it in 2025.

We'll see if the Cardinals decide to pursue this reunion in the offseason.

More MLB: Cardinals manager could be on the hot seat after 2024, per insider