It’s clear that the St. Louis Cardinals will part ways with some veterans this winter, but which ones?
The most likely candidate to leave the team is first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. He will be a free agent, and it has been reported that both parties will be going in a different direction, although the door isn’t completely closed.
Other Cardinals veterans have also been mentioned as possible departures. Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado, and Willson Contreras are all considered potential trade candidates. Additionally, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson have been mentioned as players whose club options may not be picked up.
Another player in discussions is fellow starting pitcher Miles Mikolas. A two-time All-Star, he has had two straight rough seasons.
Some have speculated that he could be traded this winter, but FanSided’s Zach Pressnell predicted that he will actually be back in 2025.
“The final player on this list is Miles Mikolas, the 36 year old righty that is owed $18.5 million next season,” Pressnell said. “Mikolas was a net negative pitcher, posting a 5.35 ERA, -0.2 WAR and a K/9 rate well below 9.0. He’s a glorified innings eater at this point in his career and the Cardinals need pitchers that can win them games rather than just eat innings. Should the Cardinals bring him back?
“No, they should try to trade him. They might have to eat a chunk if not all, of his remaining contract, but they need to clear room on their staff for a top free agent pitcher or a top prospect like Tink Hence, who’s set to be ready for the big leagues in 2025. At the end of the day, no other team is going to be willing to pay nearly $20 million for Mikolas’ production.”
Mikolas’ situation will be interesting to monitor as the offseason unfolds. His performance and the team’s strategic decisions will play a big role in determining his future with the Cardinals.
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