Cardinals could target Astros veteran to bolster rotation for 2025

The St. Louis Cardinals are about to enter a rebuild of sorts. How drastic this rebuild will be remains to be seen.

At the very least, the Cardinals will be cutting payroll in 2025 and could be trading some veteran stars on large contracts.

However, they could still add players to their roster and use free agency as a means to do so. Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report listed the Cardinals as a possible fit for left-hander Yusei Kikuchi.

"Kikuchi got a three-year, $36 million deal the last time he was a free agent during the 2021-22 offseason," Rymer wrote. "A similar deal may be in order this time around, though it'll likely have a higher average annual value."

The Cardinals will have to pay significantly more for Kikuchi than somebody like Walker Buehler or even Shane Bieber. However, he could help the rotation out tremendously.

The former All-Star went 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA in 32 starts between the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. He logged 175 2/3 innings, struck out 206 batters, and posted a 2.40 WHIP.

He isn't an ace by any means but can serve as a solid No. 2 starter behind Sonny Gray, depending on who stays or who goes, or be a veteran presence in what is expected to be a young clubhouse next year.

Kikuchi's market will be interesting to follow this winter. A lot of teams could be lining up for his services.

We'll see if St. Louis is one of them.

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