5 Cardinals who could be waived before today's deadline

RHP Lance Lynn

What complicates Lynn's situation is that he's returning from injury at the moment. The Cardinals seem intent on giving him run in the rotation one last time, and he is scheduled for a rehab start this weekend. These factors, along with Lynn's veteran leadership and potential to retire with the team he started with, make him an unlikely waiver candidate.

Lance Lynn has a 4.06 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 1.364 WHIP, and he's striking out 8.2 batters per nine innings this year; he's made 21 starts and has thrown 106.1 innings in all. He's had some starts that have gotten out of hand, but his fiery personality has been welcome in the rotation and clubhouse this year.

Lynn's greatest struggle this year has been with walks. He's walking 3.5 batters per nine innings, close to a career-high for him. Should the Cardinals make the playoffs this year, Lynn will likely be relegated to a bullpen role unless the team makes it past the first round.

Lance Lynn has had a great career so far, but his price tag and underperformance this year make him a viable candidate to be waived. The team can save around $1.5 million, and his absence opens up a spot for a Triple-A pitcher to see some time before the end of the year.

Lynn signed for $10 million this offseason, and he has a 4.06 ERA in 106.1 innings this year. The Cardinals and Lance Lynn could decide mutually that the 37-year-old veteran is deserving of a chance to pitch in the playoffs once more. If that's the case, Lynn could be waived this weekend.