3 bounce back candidates the Cardinals should target in free agency this offseason

With the payroll for the 2025 season uncertain, the Cardinals could find themselves looking for potential bargains or contracts they can backload as they head into free agency. Here are a few players that would be nice additions for next season.

Cleveland Guardians v Seattle Mariners
Cleveland Guardians v Seattle Mariners | Alika Jenner/GettyImages
2 of 3

Jonathan Loaisiga, relief pitcher

One of the more reliable arms in the New York Yankees bullpen making 107 appearances from 2021-2022, right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga is coming off a year lost to injury after an injury-riddled 2023 season. The soon-to-be 30-year-old had surgery in April that requires a 10-12 month recovery period, he might not be ready for Opening Day but he shouldn't miss too much of the season barring any setback.

In his two most recent healthy seasons in 2021 and 2022, Loaisiga posted a 2.96 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts in 118.2 innings pitched while being one of Yankees manager Aaron Boone's most relied upon relievers.

With Andrew Kittredge's future with the Cardinals unclear, the right-handed options in the bullpen leave much to be desired so adding someone like Loaisiga could give them a nice weapon out of the pen once he is healthy and a potential trade piece at the 2025 trade deadline depending on where they sit in the National League Central race,

Schedule