3 Steven Matz replacements Cardinals could trade for before deadline
With Steven Matz returning to the injured list after his first start back, the need for pitching for the Cardinals has been amplified.
Steven Matz returned to the injured list Sunday, compounding the need for the St. Louis Cardinals to make moves to get pitching. Immediately.
With Matz reinjured and possibly out for several weeks with a torn MCL, the development just adds to the problems the Cardinals are already facing. Ace Jack Flaherty is on the injured list with shoulder issues until at least late August. Dakota Hudson has been on the injured list but is completing a rehabilitation assignment. Reliever-turned-starter Andre Pallante is proving inconsistent when he takes the mound every fifth day. Jordan Hicks is also terribly inconsistent as a starter.
Adam Wainwright hasn’t done well since catcher Yadier Molina went on the injured list with knee soreness. Miles Mikolas has had great moments but lacks run support during his outings.
And then there is the bullpen.
The Cardinals have pitching issues. And they must be addressed if they hope to make a playoff push.
Let’s take a look at some names the Cardinals may look into for rotation replacements for Steven Matz.
3 Steven Matz replacements Cardinals could trade for before deadline
Merrill Kelly
In 20 starts with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kelly is 10-5 with 118.1 innings pitched. He currently has a 3.04 ERA with 96 strikeouts and 36 walks. He does have a 26.7 percent called/swinging strike rate.
The righty has induced 43.3 percent ground balls with his pitches. This is pretty good and something the Cardinals look for in their pitchers. Kelly could see much better success with his offspeed pitches in front of a Gold Glove infield defense featuring Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, and Tommy Edman.
Kelly uses a four-seam fastball, a changeup, a cutter, a sinker, a curveball, and a slider. The Cardinals would likely have Kelly work on the cutter and slider to gain some more confidence in front of their infield.
Kelly is in the final year of a four-year, $14.5 million contract. A two-year contract worth $18 million will go through 2023 and 2024 with a club option for 2025 — otherwise, he will be a free agent. This would seemingly be worth it for the Cardinals to take on this deal.