All the wrong moves: What Cardinals rotation could have looked like if front office didn’t blow it

4. Michael Wacha

Wacha’s seven seasons with the Cardinals would never be considered smooth. But imagine if things had gone a little differently. Cardinals fans never knew what they would get from one start to the next with Wacha. So while that may have had to do with decisions from then-Manager Mike Matheny, it’s easy to play what-if with Wacha.

Wacha was granted free agency in 2019 from the Cardinals. Since then, he’s had one-season stints with the Mets, Rays, and Red Sox. This season he’s playing for the Padres. In his last start, he pitched seven innings, giving up only a hit and striking out 11 batters in a 4-0 victory for the Padres.

Wacha was close with many of his teammates, including Wainwright. It’s easy to see he needed a change in scenery, as he was in a rut with the Cardinals. But it’s also easy to play what-if and imagine if things had gone more smoothly. He could still be with the Cardinals as a starter and, much like Wainwright, provide leadership.