How are members of the 2023 Cardinals doing on their new teams?

Jordan Hicks

Hicks was set to be one of the most exciting relief pitchers in the Cardinals organization. But with injury and issues controlling his high-velocity pitches, it was time for the two to move on. Hicks was traded at the deadline in 2023 to the Toronto Blue Jays. He was granted free agency and signed a four-year deal worth $44 million to become a starting pitcher.

It's shocking, but of course, this is how to use the talented pitcher properly. As a starter, he will stretch out and not use as high a velocity, and he can work longer and more efficiently. If having Hicks starting was ever something desired by the front office, it must not have been taken seriously by the coaching staff as they kept putting him in situations to be a high-leverage reliever. After this became dangerous in some cases, it is shocking that there wasn't more effort to make Hicks a starter happen.

Since joining the Giants, Hicks has started four games and is 2-0 with an ERA of 1.57. In 23 innings pitched, he's given up one home run and four earned runs. He's walked six batters while striking out 18.

It's unclear if this was just a developmental issue with the Cardinals' use of Hicks, but it would have been nice to see him in a starter role considering home much another starter has been needed over the past couple of seasons.

Jack Flaherty

Hopes were high for Flaherty to become the ace of the staff. However, with several injuries, the talented young arm never found the success he had in 2019.

The organization gave Flaherty the beginning of the 2023 season to prove that he deserved an opportunity to be signed as a free agent in the offseason. The struggles mounted, and he even gave the impression that he was struggling because of the addition of catcher Willson Contreras. The youngster publicly stated he was getting a different attention to detail provided by legendary catcher Yadier Molina. While Contreras is an entirely different catcher than Molina, he puts in a lot of work with his pitching staff. Flaherty and Adam Wainwright walked back the statement within days of Flaherty saying it. The statement was made and gave Flaherty a bad look.

Flaherty was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for pitchers Drew Rom, Zack Showalter, and infielder Cesar Prieto. The Orioles ended the season with Flaherty in the bullpen. Flaherty signed a one-year deal worth $14 million with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent.

Flaherty is 0-1 in three starts with the Tigers. In 18.1 innings, he's given up ten earned runs, including three homers. While he's walked three batters, he has struck out 20 batters. He threw 14 swing-and-miss pitches in his loss to the Oakland Athletics and 16 swing-and-miss pitches against the Minnesota Twins, a no-decision.

The Cardinals made the right call to move on from Flaherty. Hopefully, he matures with his new team.

Paul DeJong

A series of injuries and just bad luck was DeJong's downfall with the St. Louis Cardinals. After giving him another shot to put together some consistency at the plate, DeJong hit a lag, and the Cardinals decided to give him a shot elsewhere while improving a struggling pitching staff.

DeJong was traded at the deadline to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash and pitcher Matt Svenson. About 20 days later, Bo Bichette's status as the Blue Jays' everyday shortstop improved and DeJong was released. The San Fransico Giants signed DeJong a couple of days later, only to release him less than a month later.

Refreshed and ready to prove himself to a new team, DeJong signed with the Chicago White Sox on a one-year deal worth $1.75 million. DeJong has started 15 games as the White Sox shortstop. He's slashing .275/.293/.600 with an OPS of .893. He has four doubles, three home runs, four runs scored, and four RBI. As a defender, DeJong has 12 putouts, 17 assists, and turned two double plays.

Hopefully, DeJong can use this season to get back to playing good baseball and earn a lengthy contract with a club.,

Jordan Montgomery

Montgomery fell in love with St. Louis when he was traded in 2022 from the New York Yankees for Harrison Bader. Montgomery hoped to turn a tremendous second half of the 2022 season and a full season with the Cardinals into a long-term deal with the club once he hit free agency.

Instead, Montgomery went 6-9 with the Cardinals and was traded at the deadline along with Chris Stratton to the Texas Rangers for Tekoah Roby, Thomas Saggasse, and John King. Montgomery ended up being a key piece for the Rangers in their successful bid to win a World Series Championship.

Montgomery and his agent, Scott Boras, believed he would be a hot commodity and earn a hefty contract. Montgomery was signed on March 29. He earned a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks worth $25 million and a vesting option for 2025. He's expected to debut with the D-Backs on Friday against the Giants.

Montgomery has since dropped Boras as his agent, opting to go with Joel Wolfe and Nick Chanock of Wasserman. Montgomery can use this new opportunity to improve his odds for a better contract,