8 free agent duds we’re glad the St. Louis Cardinals didn’t sign

John Mozeliak (right) before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
John Mozeliak (right) before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 16: Jake Odorizzi #17 of the Houston Astros throws in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 16, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 16: Jake Odorizzi #17 of the Houston Astros throws in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 16, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Jake Odorizzi

Jake Odorizzi was thought to be someone the Cardinals were considering this offseason. A veteran arm, he was a graduate of Highland High School in Highland, Il. He had declared free agency in Oct. 2020, but remained unsigned until March when the Houston Astros signed him to a three-year deal worth $23.5 million.

In addition to the Astros, he has spent time with the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins. He’s only known the American League so it would be interesting to see how he would have translated to the National League.

In 2021, he has started 17 games for the Astros going 6-6 on the season. He’s allowed 71 hits, 40 earned runs, 15 home runs and 29 walks.  He has struck out 70. He has a 23.8 CSW%.

While Houston is 76-52 this season and in first place in the AL West, he’s basically been an ineffective innings eater. The Astros have enough to basically chalk this up to just another game. This must be nice for them!

It would have been interesting to see him with the Cardinals but just looking at his production, he definitely would not have added anything significant to the team, which desperately needed effective innings eaters.