Cyber Monday: Best bargain free agents for the St. Louis Cardinals

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 25: Christian Vazquez #9 of the Houston Astros in position during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 25, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 25: Christian Vazquez #9 of the Houston Astros in position during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 25, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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St. Louis Cardinals
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 05: Michael Wacha #52 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Starting pitcher Michael Wacha

Once a phenom pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Michael Wacha posted a career 3.91 ERA in 7 seasons with St. Louis, having career years from 2013-2015 and then a resurgence in 2018, but injuries ultimately sent him packing from the club. In 2022, Wacha experienced another resurgence as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

Pitching in the tough AL East, Wacha posted a 3.32 ERA in 127.1 innings of work while making 23 starts for Boston. The Cardinals already have five projected starters for 2023, but all five have injury concerns, so bringing in other veteran options would be a wise idea, especially on low-cost deals.

Mike Clevinger, who most would consider a better option on the market, received a one-year, $8 million deal from the Chicago White Sox. If Wacha was brought in on a one year deal at an even lower number, that would represent a very low risk, potentially high reward option for the club.

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