5 free agents the St. Louis Cardinals should keep in 2022

ST LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 12: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 at Busch Stadium on September 12, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 12: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 at Busch Stadium on September 12, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 14: Kwang Hyun Kim #33 of the St. Louis Cardinals in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 14, 2021 in New York City. The Cardinals defeated the Mets 7-6 in eleven innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 14: Kwang Hyun Kim #33 of the St. Louis Cardinals in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 14, 2021 in New York City. The Cardinals defeated the Mets 7-6 in eleven innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Kwang Hyun Kim

Expectations were high for Kwang Hyun Kim’s second season with the St. Louis Cardinals. But several unfortunate injuries involving his lower back and arm kept his season from really taking off.

In 2021, Kim pitched in 27 games, starting 21. He was 7-7 on the year with one save. He pitched 106.2 innings for the Cardinals and struck out 80 batters with a called strike + whiff rate of 26.4. He gave up 39 walks and 41 earned runs on the season.

With a season of growth in the Major Leagues under his belt, it will be interesting to see what Kim decides to do from here. It’s not clear if he wants to stay in the United States and play or return to South Korea to play closer to family. He really did play well when his family visited him in St. Louis over the summer.

If he wants to remain in the US, it would be great to see him with the Cardinals again. It would be good to see what KK is capable of when fully healthy all season long whether he is starting or in relief.

For now, here’s hoping he safely returns home to South Korea, gets some rest and relaxation and time with his family. After a rough season, he needs the break to gather clarity for what he wants to do next.