The starting rotation of the St. Louis Cardinals has shown marked improvement this season compared to their struggles in the previous year. Last season, the Cardinals endured one of the league’s weakest rotations, contributing to a particularly challenging season. Seeking to address this weakness, the team turned to free agency, where signings like Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson have all made notable contributions this season.
Despite the positive strides in pitching, the Cardinals continue to face challenges, primarily stemming from offensive struggles. However, given the team’s considerable talent, there remains optimism for a turnaround.
Should the Cardinals find themselves in contention for a postseason berth as the trade deadline approaches, there’s potential for them to explore additions to bolster their roster. One such possibility is acquiring Mike Clevinger from the Chicago White Sox. Clevinger, though yet to play this season, could be made available due to the White Sox’s difficulties.
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, Clevinger is among the White Sox players who could be traded, along with Tommy Pham and Martin Maldonado. Another intriguing option is Erick Fedde, who has performed well this season.
While Clevinger was previously considered as a free-agent target for St. Louis before re-signing with the White Sox, a trade to the Cardinals could make sense, providing valuable veteran depth to their rotation. With a career ERA of 3.45 over seven seasons, Clevinger could significantly strengthen the backend of the Cardinals’ pitching rotation. However, the team must first address their offensive issues before considering further additions to their pitching staff.
