The St. Louis Cardinals made several key moves before the 2024 Major League Baseball regular season, including bringing back a familiar face.
To enhance their starting rotation, the Cardinals acted swiftly by signing Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson. Lynn, who began his MLB career with the Cardinals in 2011, became a star during his time with the team.
He won a World Series with the Cardinals in 2011 and was selected as an All-Star six times before leaving. After a few years with various teams, he returned to the Cardinals in the latest offseason.
Lynn has been just what the team needed this season, providing consistency in the rotation. His successful season included 23 starts, a 3.84 ERA, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 109-to-44 over 117 1/3 innings pitched.
It remains uncertain if Lynn will return in 2025, as he is 37 years old and approaching the end of his career. The Cardinals hold a $ 12 million team option for 2025, but predictions suggest they may not exercise it.
According to MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams, “Lance Lynn, RHP, Cardinals: ( 12MMcluboption( 1MM buyout).”
Due to a knee injury that sidelined him since July, Lynn hasn’t pitched as many innings as his rotation mate, Kyle Gibson. However, he maintained a 3.96 ERA across 111 1/3 innings with solid strikeout and walk rates.
Despite these achievements, Lynn has struggled to complete five innings in nearly one-third of his starts this season. As he approaches his age-38 season, with Gray, Erick Fedde, Steven Matz, and likely Gibson in next year’s rotation, along with younger talents like Andre Pallante, Michael McGreevy, and Sem Robberse, the Cardinals might opt for a buyout to reallocate funds to other needs.
Even if Lynn’s future in 2025 is uncertain, his reunion with the Cardinals was a great decision.
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