Cardinals: 4 pitchers St. Louis should target for 2024 reset
The St. Louis Cardinals will look to reset their roster with their focus on the 2024 season. Which pitchers should they target at the trade deadline?
John Mozeliak, Cardinals president of baseball operations, let it be known that players will be traded. While “household names” may not be in the mix, they will look to sell players who might not be around next season due to free agency.
Mozeliak said any trades will look to make the Cardinals better in 2024.
If the Cardinals’ moves can help them get some wins that make them a spoiler or get them out of last place, that would be a plus for the team in the way of morale going into the offseason. Even with the Cardinals getting an excellent series win over the Washington Nationals this weekend, the Cardinals have had a rough season where they haven’t presented as a team unit. Getting the team aspect back on track and through this stormy season will be key moving forward.
Let’s discuss the names being floated as options for the Cardinals to target as we approach the trade deadline.
STL Cardinals rumors: 4 pitchers to target in trades for 2024 reset
Logan Gilbert could be a target for the Cardinals
In 18 games started this season, Gilbert is 7-5 with an ERA of 3.66. He has 108.1 innings pitched and 106 strikeouts this season. A young pitcher that can throw innings and strikes is exactly what the Cardinals need as soon as possible.
Gilbert, a 26-year-old lefty, has an arsenal of five pitches he mixes up. He uses a four-seam fastball, a slider, a curveball, a split-finger, and a sinker. Gilbert’s curveball has an impressive 54.3 inches of vertical drop. He does have a ground ball rate of 43.2 percent.
He threw a complete game shutout in a July 4 start against the San Fransico Giants. He gave up five hits in the game but did strike out seven batters. In his most recent start on July 9, he went seven innings, giving up three hits, including a home run. He did strike out six batters.
Gilbert was the Mariners’ first-round draft pick in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Stetson University in Florida. He is an attractive option because he isn’t arbitration eligible until 2025 and will not be a free agent until 2028.
Gilbert would be an incredible addition to the Cardinals’ rotation. He would solidify the group, which should have some outstanding prospects joining in the coming seasons.