Cardinals could pursue reunion with former ace this offseason

The St. Louis Cardinals have a starting rotation that appears to be coming apart at the seams. While they were being swept by the Cincinnati Reds this week, none of their three starters in the series recorded a quality start.

This may lead them to pursue some starting pitchers in the offseason in order to avoid the trap they fell into this year.

They could possibly pursue a reunion with right-hander Jack Flaherty, who is a free agent at the end of this season.

"The medicals and his performance the rest of the season will determine the money and years Flaherty will get in free agency," Jim Bowden wrote. "This is the best he has pitched since 2019, when he finished fourth in the National League Cy Young voting with the Cardinals."

Flaherty began this season with the Detroit Tigers and was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline. In 20 starts between Detroit and Los Angeles, the 28-year-old is 9-5 with a 2.97 ERA.

The 28-year-old had signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Tigers to rebuild his value after several injury-plagued seasons in St. Louis.

Ultimately, everything depends on the price range. The Cardinals are well aware of Flaherty's injury history, and if he demands a large contract, then St. Louis likely won't target him.

But if they can sign him to a shorter-term deal, it might make sense for the Cardinals. We'll see if they choose to pursue this reunion.

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