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Share✓ Link copied to clipboard! It seems as though the St. Louis Cardinals are entering their long-awaited rebuild this offseason. St. Louis has parted ways with a few veteran pieces and the front office is reportedly looking to trade Nolan Arenado, among others.This doesn’t mean the Cardinals won’t use free agency to add some talent to their team. At the worst, any free agent they sign could turn into trade bait by the trade deadline.Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report recently predicted the Cardinals to sign reliever José Leclerc this winter. Leclerc would join a talented Cardinals bullpen, though there have been rumblings St. Louis may trade close Ryan Helsley.
ST. LOUIS, MO – JULY 17: A detail view of the St. Louis Cardinals logo on a hat in the dugout prior to the start of the game against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium…
ST. LOUIS, MO – JULY 17: A detail view of the St. Louis Cardinals logo on a hat in the dugout prior to the start of the game against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium on July 17, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri.
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“José Leclerc has been a major leaguer for eight seasons, and at no point has his stock been steady,” Rymer wrote. “His highs include ERAs in the 1.00s or 2.00s in 2018, 2022, and 2023, the last of which ended with him winning a World Series ring with the Rangers. The lows include a season lost to Tommy John surgery in 2021 and what was a largely forgettable year in 2024.”His 36.0 whiff rate fell in the 96th percentile, with righties in particular feeling his wrath to the tune of a 36.3 strikeout percentage. As Leclerc was likewise in the 96th percentile with his hard-hit rate, his profile remains that of a guy who is just no fun to hit against. He’s well worth a flier on a low-risk deal.”Leclerc is very talented and projected to sign for less than $10 million over two years, per Spotrac.Over the course of his big league career, the righty has been good more often than he’s been bad. He might not be an elite closer, but he could certainly work as a high leverage pitcher in the Cardinals’ bullpen.More MLB: Cubs Predicted To Sign $25 Million ‘Under The Radar’ Pitcher This Winter
