The team’s struggles in 2023 were largely attributed to poor pitching, prompting president of baseball operations John Mozeliak to focus on bolstering the pitching staff in the offseason. Mozeliak acknowledged the fans’ expectations for a rebound season and the scrutiny he would face, stating, “Expectations are high. I get it. We need to get back to where we once were.”
One of the key acquisitions in the offseason was Sonny Gray, an ace pitcher who had a stellar 2023 season. The Cardinals also added depth to the rotation with Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, experienced veterans who may not be stars but provide stability.
In addition to pitching, the Cardinals traded for relievers Andrew Kittredge and Nick Robertson and added veterans Matt Carpenter and Brandon Crawford to their pool of position players, which includes stars like Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and promising young talents like Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, and top prospect Jordan Walker.
Overall, while the rotation is aging, it has a wealth of experience that could surprise many. With these additions, the Cardinals are much improved from last year and could be contenders for a Wild Card spot.
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