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