St. Louis Cardinals News: J.A. Happ announces retirement

Former St. Louis Cardinals left-handed starting pitcher J.A. Happ announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.

With the St. Louis Cardinals in need of starting pitching, especially another left-hander, there was some thought that veteran J.A. Happ could make sense. And yet throughout the offseason and even in-season, there were no reports suggesting that there was interest.

Now we know why.

After 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, Happ announced his retirement on The Heart Strong Podcast. The veteran left-hander posted a 4.13 career ERA in stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Cardinals.

Happ finished his career in St. Louis, where he was acquired at the eleventh hour of the trade deadline. The deal was met with initial skepticism and disappointment, considering the Cardinals’ need for a higher-end arm and that Happ’s career seemed to be trending downward (6.77 ERA in 19 starts with the Twins). But he emerged as a revelation, posting a 4.00 ERA in 11 starts in St. Louis, and helping push the Cardinals on an unlikely postseason run.

While Happ’s Cardinals career was short and sweet, it was memorable – and now the Cardinals have one less option to add a left-hander to the rotation. It’s likely the team had a strong inclination that this was going to happen, considering that they surely had some communication with his camp during the offseason. So they will be prepared.

One option is Dallas Keuchel, who was just placed on release waivers after being designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox. Like Happ, Keuchel is a battle tested veteran who has struggled mightily this season who could use a change of scenery. And it’s possible that if the Cardinals are interested, that Keuchel could see the success that Happ had in St. Louis and use it as a short-term spot to get his career back on track.

But there’s no guarantee that Keuchel would be as successful as Happ, who was one of president of baseball operations John Mozeliak’s most savvy moves.