5 free agents the St. Louis Cardinals should pursue

Sep 25, 2020; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A view of Busch Stadium team store entrance during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2020; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A view of Busch Stadium team store entrance during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: Kevin Gausman #34 of the San Francisco Giants looks on before being relieved in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Oracle Park on October 09, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: Kevin Gausman #34 of the San Francisco Giants looks on before being relieved in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Oracle Park on October 09, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Kevin Gausman

Kevin Gausman pitched in 33 games for the San Francisco Giants in 2021 going 14-6 in 192 innings and throwing 227 strikeouts.

The right-hander relies on a four-seam fastball, a split-finger fastball, a change-up and a slider. The four-seamer goes 94.6 mph with a 98% active spin and 14.2-inches of vertical drop. The changeup averages 83.8 mph with a  93% active spin and 27.3 inches of vertical drop. The splitter averages 83.6 mph with 73% active spin and 37 inches of vertical drop. The slider averages 81.9 mph with 19% active spin and 39.7 inches of vertical drop.

Gausman would be a good mid-rotation option for the Cardinals with the ability to go several innings and throw strike. After last season, Cardinal fans know pitching is something you can never have too much of as you go deep into the season.