John Mozeliak's masterful 2023 moves are going just as planned for the Cardinals

Lance Lynn

When news broke of the Cardinals signing veteran right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn, fans were bewildered. Lynn had just allowed a league-high 44 home runs, and his ERA on the season was well north of 5.00. The plan was to have two pitchers better than Steven Matz and Miles Mikolas added to the roster. Lynn likely wasn't going to be better than either.

Reality has been different than expectations for Lance Lynn. He has thrown 30.2 innings with a 2.64 ERA, 2.23 K/BB rate, and a FIP of 4.78. The results are much better than the underlying statistics, but Lynn has done exactly what he was signed for: strike out batters and throw deep into games. He has averaged just over 5 innings pitched per game, and his 21.3% K rate is right around league average.

Another important statistic for Lynn is his home run rate. After allowing a league-high 44 home runs last year, Lynn has been able to limit the long ball much better this year. He has allowed 1.47 home runs per nine innings; while this value is greater than league average, it's a much more tolerable figure than last year's 2.16 value.

Perhaps the most important aspect of Lynn's game is his fire on the mound and levity in the dugout. Whether he's shouting expletives after a big strikeout or participating in tomfoolery in the dugout to keep things light, Lynn has emerged as a leader on the team.

Lance Lynn has a team option for next season, and if he continues to pitch as well as he has in the early days, it's feasible that the Cardinals will exercise that option to allow him to finish his career where he started it.

Andrew Kittredge

When the Cardinals traded a young, unproven outfielder to the Tampa Bay Rays, Cardinal fans had immediate flashbacks to Randy Arozarena. In exchange for Richie Palacios, John Mozeliak brought over former All-Star reliever Andrew Kittredge.

Kittredge, 34, missed a lot of time in 2022 and 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, but he was an All-Star in 2021. He figured to slot into the back of the bullpen to provide some help for Ryan Helsley and JoJo Romero. Kittredge, along with Keynan Middleton and Giovanny Gallegos, would create a formidable collection of veterans at the back end of the 'pen.

He has pitched admirably for the Cardinals since his acquisition. Kittredge's 11 innings pitched have been remarkable; he has 12 strikeouts, a WHIP of 1.000, an ERA of 2.64, and his 1.76 FIP is sterling. No matter which stat you pull for the veteran reliever, his brilliance is evident.

After a rocky bullpen showing in 2023, a remake was necessary. Jordan Hicks was a free agent after being traded away, Giovanny Gallegos and Andre Pallante were roughed up in 2023, and Ryan Helsley had injury concerns attached to his name. Kittredge's presence and results so far have given Oli Marmol assurance from his relievers.

The season is still young, but with Andrew Kittredge being a veteran and seeing plenty in his career already, it's likely that he continues this great stretch of pitching. He has been mostly used late in games. His 10 holds are tied for the most in baseball with fellow reliever Cardinal JoJo Romero. The two, along with Ryan Helsley, have formed a formidable trio in late in games.

Prospects

Sem Robberse

The Cardinals acquired Sem Robberse at the trade deadline last year when they sent Jordan Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays. Robberse pitched primarily in AA last year for both the Blue Jays and Cardinals. He was primarily used as a starter. He is currently ranked as the Cardinals' #12 prospect according to MLB.com.

Robberse has strong command, and his league-average strikeout rate means that he won't hurt himself on the mound. St. Louis placed him in AAA Memphis to start the season, and he's been quite good there. In 29.2 innings (5 starts), Robberse has maintained a 1.82 ERA, 2.79 FIP, and 0.93 WHIP. He's struck out batters at a 25.9% clip while walking just 5.4% of hitters.

Most recently, Robberse was voted as the International League Player of the Week. While Jordan Hicks has been able to succeed as a starter in San Francisco, Sem Robberse has done just as well in the minors. Assuming he continues to ascend, Robberse will fill an important role in the future in the St. Louis rotation.

Thomas Saggese

Thomas Saggese won the Texas League MVP Award after being traded to the Cardinals from the Texas Rangers for Jordan Montgomery. Saggese has done nothing but mash since his acquisition. In 22 games (94 plate appearances), Saggese already has a .262/.330/.393 slash line to go along with 5 doubles and 2 home runs. His 22 hits are the third-most on Memphis's roster.

Saggese has logged time at shortstop, second base, and third base this year, though the bulk of his innings has come at shortstop. He has 37 putouts and assists, he's been a part of 10 double plays, and he has only committed one error at third base.

St. Louis seems intent on giving him run at shortstop this year, though it's likely he will play across the infield should he make an appearance in the majors this year.