Cardinals: 4 pitchers St. Louis should target for 2024 reset

Dylan Cease could join the Cardinals at the trade deadline

A 27-year-old righty, Cease was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2014. He was part of a package deal with Eloy Jimenez to bring Jose Quintana to the Northside. He’s playing on a one-year contract worth $5.7 million. He’s arbitration eligible in 2024 and becomes a free agent in 2026.

In 20 games started this season for the White Sox, Cease has a record of 4-3 with a 4.18 ERA. He’s pitched 107.2 innings and thrown 129 strikeouts. He can throw strikes and innings, but his record isn’t reflecting success. The White Sox season has gone much like the Cardinals – frustratingly.

Cease has an exciting mix of four pitches: a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. Cease’s curveball has a 59.2-inch vertical drop at 80 mph. The Cardinals would have him work on this pitch to become more of a putaway pitch.

With so much potential and team control remaining, Cease is an ideal fit under Mozeliak’s plan to retool with a focus on 2024.