{"id":138073,"date":"2026-01-11T13:36:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T13:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=138073"},"modified":"2026-01-11T13:36:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T13:36:17","slug":"cardinals-eye-five-free-agents-after-major-offseason-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=138073","title":{"rendered":"Cardinals Eye Five Free Agents After Major Offseason Signing"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

IMAGE: Boston Red Sox pitcher Dustin May (85) reacts after a fly out left field to end the bottom of the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Fenway Park. \/ David Butler II \/ Imagn Images<\/div>\n

The St. Louis Cardinals might be in the midst of a retooling phase, but that hasn\u2019t stopped Chaim Bloom from staying aggressive this offseason.<\/p>\n

While much of the buzz around St. Louis has centered on potential trades, the front office has quietly made some intriguing free-agent additions-most notably right-hander Dustin May and, more recently, veteran reliever Ryne Stanek.<\/p>\n

Stanek might not be the type of signing that makes headlines, but he\u2019s the kind of bullpen piece that can pay dividends over the course of a long season. With a high-octane fastball and a slider that misses bats, Stanek brings swing-and-miss stuff to a Cardinals bullpen that could use a bit more bite.<\/p>\n

And like May, he\u2019s the kind of arm that could draw interest at the trade deadline if things don\u2019t break St. Louis\u2019 way early in the year.<\/p>\n

But Bloom isn\u2019t done yet. He\u2019s left the door open for more moves-perhaps another starter, maybe a right-handed bat to balance the lineup. The Cardinals don\u2019t need<\/em> to make another splash before spring training, but with a number of intriguing free agents still on the market, there\u2019s room to round out the roster.<\/p>\n

Here are five free agents who could still make sense for the Cardinals as they look to add depth and upside before camp opens:<\/p>\n

\n

OF Randall Grichuk – A Familiar Face with a Defined Role<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s start with a name Cardinals fans know well. Randall Grichuk broke into the majors with St.<\/p>\n

Louis back in 2014 and spent four seasons patrolling the outfield at Busch Stadium. These days, he\u2019s more of a platoon specialist than an everyday player, but that might be exactly what the Cardinals need.<\/p>\n

Grichuk struggled overall in 2025, hitting just .228 with nine homers in limited action. But against left-handed pitching, he was a completely different player-posting a 139 wRC+ and slugging .528. That kind of production from the right side could be valuable for a team looking to add balance to a lefty-heavy outfield.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not likely to command a big contract, and on a rebuilding team like St. Louis, there\u2019s room for a veteran like Grichuk to carve out a role while mentoring younger players. A reunion makes a lot of sense if the price is right.<\/p>\n

\n

RHP Walker Buehler – A High-Upside Gamble on the Comeback Trail<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Walker<\/p>\n

The Cardinals have no shortage of young arms competing for rotation spots, but that doesn\u2019t mean they should pass on a potential upside play. Enter Walker Buehler.<\/p>\n

Once a rising star with the Dodgers, Buehler\u2019s career has been derailed by injuries in recent years. After a heroic postseason run in 2024, he tried to bounce back during the regular season with Boston-but the results weren\u2019t pretty. A 4.93 ERA, 5.66 FIP, and a strikeout rate of just 16.3% over 24 starts paint the picture of a pitcher still searching for his old form.<\/p>\n

But the pedigree is there. From 2018 to 2021, Buehler was one of the most electric starters in baseball.<\/p>\n

If the Cardinals can bring him in on a low-risk deal, he could be a worthwhile project. Best-case scenario, he rediscovers some of that old magic.<\/p>\n

Worst-case, he\u2019s a depth option or a bullpen arm who doesn\u2019t block the development of the younger rotation candidates.<\/p>\n

\n

OF Austin Slater – A Smart Platoon Option with OBP Skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Austin Slater didn\u2019t light it up in 2025, putting together a .216\/.270\/.372 line in limited action. But dig a little deeper, and there\u2019s reason to believe he could be a sneaky good fit in St. Louis.<\/p>\n

Slater has long been known for his ability to hit left-handed pitching, and that didn\u2019t change last season. Against southpaws, he posted a .726 OPS and a 100 wRC+, with solid power numbers driving most of that value. For his career, he\u2019s a 119 wRC+ bat versus lefties, with a .357 OBP and .430 SLG.<\/p>\n

He won\u2019t cost much, and he offers the kind of situational value that can make a difference over 162 games. The Cardinals need right-handed options in the outfield, and Slater could be an inexpensive way to fill that gap.<\/p>\n

\n

LHP Jordan Montgomery – A Reunion That Could Make Sense for Both Sides<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jordan Montgomery was a key piece of the Cardinals\u2019 rotation in 2023 before helping the Texas Rangers win a World Series title. But the years since haven\u2019t been kind.<\/p>\n

After a rough 2024 season with the Diamondbacks, where he posted a 6.23 ERA over 25 appearances, Montgomery missed all of 2025 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Now, he\u2019s looking to reestablish himself-and a return to St. Louis could be just what he needs.<\/p>\n

Montgomery found success under Cardinals pitching coach Dusty Blake, and that familiarity could help him get back on track. He\u2019s unlikely to command more than a minor-league deal at this point, and for the Cardinals, it\u2019s a low-risk move with some potential upside. If he\u2019s healthy and effective, he could either stabilize the rotation or become an attractive trade chip by midseason.<\/p>\n

\n

OF Austin Hays – A Right-Handed Bat with Pop and Platoon Value<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If the Cardinals are looking for a right-handed bat who can contribute immediately, Austin Hays might be the best fit on the market.<\/p>\n

Hays hit 15 home runs in 2025 and posted a 105 wRC+ overall-not eye-popping, but solid. Where he really shined was against left-handed pitching.<\/p>\n

In those matchups, he slashed .319\/.400\/.549, good for a .949 OPS and a 155 wRC+. That\u2019s elite-level production in a platoon role.<\/p>\n

He might still be holding out for a spot with a contender, but if that doesn\u2019t materialize, the Cardinals should absolutely be in the mix. Hays could provide some much-needed thump from the right side and give the lineup a more balanced look.<\/p>\n

\n

Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n

The Cardinals aren\u2019t in win-now mode, but that doesn\u2019t mean they should sit idle. Bloom\u2019s approach has been measured but opportunistic-adding arms like May and Stanek who could help now or become assets later. That same mindset could apply to any of the five names above.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s a veteran outfielder who can mash lefties, a bounce-back candidate with frontline potential, or a familiar face looking to find his form again, there are still moves to be made. And with spring training fast approaching, the Cardinals have a real chance to round out their roster with smart, strategic signings that fit both the present and the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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