St. Louis Cardinals: Five Free-Agent southpaws to consider

Aug 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo (59) pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Colorado won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1. Antonio Bastardo

Spending his whole seven-year career between both of Pennsylvania’s baseball teams, Bastardo could challenge hitters with a strong pitch arsenal. His four-seam fastball averaged above 92 mph last season, complemented by sliders and changeups that frequently clocked in the mid-80s for speed.

Bastardo has also proved durable in recent history, having pitched in 60 or more games in four of the last five seasons. The 30-year old’s WHIP has lowered each year since 2012, which provides tremendous upside for a Cardinals’ bullpen that faltered in postseason split situations on multiple occasions.

Reasonable contract: 3 years, $13 million

Jul 10, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Joe Thatcher (54) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Houston Astros 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Joe Thatcher

A former product of the River City Rascals, Thatcher has bounced around with four different teams since debuting in 2007. Although various control problems have caused Thatcher to relocate in the past, he could bring valuable leadership to a relatively young bullpen.

Thatcher is not a typical go-to strikeout pitcher, but his ability to limit big hits has helped him compile a respectable major league career. The 34 year-old only allowed 11 home runs in the last five seasons, rejuvenating his career with the Houston Astros last year with his best earned run average since 2010.

Reasonable contract: 1 year, $2.5 million

Oct 9, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Tony Sipp throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the 7th inning in game two of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

3. Tony Sipp

Sipp offers potential as one of the most balanced southpaws on the market, proving pivotal for the Houston Astros in several key situations last season. The Clemson alum has taken on a larger workload and improved his strikeout:walk ratio in each of the past two seasons.

Sipp received his first taste of postseason in October, logging 5.1 innings without an earned run against the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals. Add that with his ability to mix speeds of his fastball, slider and changeup, Sipp could emulate similar success from last season that helped him finish second in holds (13) among his teammates.

Reasonable contract: 2 years, $7 million

Oct 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Franklin Morales (45) throws during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game four of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

4. Franklin Morales

After playing an integral mop-up role that guided the Kansas City Royals to their first World Series title in 30 years, Morales could be a solid fit for another baseball team in Missouri. The 29 year-old gained World Series experience for the third time in his nine-year career, a factor to consider for a Cardinals’ roster that consistently competes in October.

Morales’s full-time transition to the Royals’ bullpen allowed him to increase his fastball velocity and limit opponents to only 14 walks in 62.1 innings. Morales could also make the best of a pitcher-friendly environment such as Busch Stadium, whereas he may have previously struggled to produce in previous homes of Coors Field and Fenway Park.

Reasonable contract: 1 year, $3.5 million

Aug 16, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tom Gorzelanny against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tom Gorzelanny

If southpaw specialists hold a modern reputation as journey men, then Gorzelanny is certainly one of the  catalysts of this trend. Aside from his first five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates that he mainly spent as a starting pitcher, Gorzelanny has suited up for four teams in the last six seasons.

While the 33 year-old has experienced mixed results as a left-handed specialist recently, the Cardinals are aware of his skill set from the eight seasons he has spent with three in-division teams. This familiarity could help St. Louis realize strengths around Gorzelanny’s fast approach, thus providing a strong support system to make mechanical adjustments.

Reasonabale contract: 1 year, $1.5 million

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