MLB Rumors: Cardinals should act on reunion with former draft pick gone wrong

Could the St. Louis Cardinals finally reunite with a former slugger for the remainder of the season?

The St. Louis Cardinals made the tough choice to sell at the MLB trade deadline with a postseason berth out of the question. They traded Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery, and Jordan Hicks at the trade deadline, and they acquired much-needed prospects in hopes they can contribute shortly. Now, they will run down the remainder of the season and prepare for 2024.

But could the Cardinals still make an addition?

Sports Illustrated’s Scott Neville floated the idea of the Cardinals potentially reuniting with former slugger Luke Voit. The 32-year-old is currently a free agent after opting out of his minor league contract with the New York Mets.

“If the veteran cannot find a contender’s bench to join, it would make some sense for the Cardinals to find out if this is a hot stretch or a new version of the hulking slugger,” writes Neville.

MLB rumors: Could Cardinals reunite with slugger Luke Voit?

Voit began his career with the Cardinals, eventually making his MLB debut with the team in 2017. But midway through the 2018 season, the team traded Voit to the New York Yankees in a deal that sent Chasen Schreve to St. Louis.

In his two major league seasons with the Cardinals, Voit slashed .240/.307/.432 while recording five home runs, 20 runs, 21 RBI, and 30 hits.

Upon arriving in New York, Voit thrived as one of the team’s top power bats. In the 2020 pandemic-shortened season, he led the majors with 22 home runs. However, Voit couldn’t replicate the success he had that campaign, and the Yankees eventually traded him to the San Diego Padres. His stint with his new team would not last long, as he was dealt to the Washington Nationals in the blockbuster trade that included Juan Soto and Josh Bell.

This season with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, Voit recorded a .264 batting average, .415 on-base percentage, a .643 slugging percentage, 14 home runs, 30 runs, 34 hits, and 35 RBI in 129 at-bats (37 games).

It’s all on the Cardinals to make the decision, but adding Voit for the remainder of the season wouldn’t be a bad idea.