Ex-Dodgers Veteran Could Be Much-Needed Depth Piece For Cardinals

Opening Day quickly is approaching.

The St. Louis Cardinals seemingly are in a better spot right now than they were at the end of the 2023 season, but there still is room for growth. 

St. Louis has significantly boosted its starting rotation by signing Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson early in free agency. Gray is dealing with an injury, though, and it's unclear exactly how much time he will miss. 

Many have speculated that another pickup could make sense for the Cardinals to add even more depth. One player who still is available and could make a lot of sense for St. Louis is one-time All-Star Noah Syndergaard.

He has thrown for clubs and has been offered at least one minor league contract, but is looking for a big league deal. 

Syndergaard struggled last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians but is just 31 years old and has a career 3.71 ERA in eight big league seasons.

The fireballer certainly could be a cheap, insurance option to add more depth to the Cardinals' rotation. If St. Louis wants to make another move, it certainly has the money to afford Syndergaard. 

Syndergaard was much more impressive in 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies and had a 3.94 ERA in 25 total appearances to go along with a 95-to-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 134 2/3 innings pitched.

The veteran righty certainly is a bounce-back candidate and could make sense for St. Louis. The Cardinals are considered by many to be the top team in the National League Central but any injuries to the starting rotation completely could change things. Why not add some more depth?