At the GM meetings on Monday, John Mozeliak, the president of baseball operations for the Cardinals, had a conversation with reporters, including John Denton of MLB.com, about what to expect in the upcoming offseason. He talked about the team’s 2024 budget and hinted at his intentions to change the starting lineup. The executive also addressed inquiries regarding rumors of a possible front office position for former Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer
Chaim Bloom, as well as questions regarding a coaching position for Yadier Molina.
It’s undeniable that the Cardinals need to spend in free agency if they want to compete in 2024 after concluding the 2023 season with a 71-91 record, good for last place in the NL Central. That does not imply that the group will squander money,
Starting pitching is the Cardinals’ top priority, and they have good reason to say so. Their starting rotation had the second-lowest strikeout rate and the third-worst ERA in the National League after Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery were traded during the deadline. Their numbers only got worse.
Mozeliak announced in August that he intended to add three new starters during the offseason. On Monday, he essentially reiterated that sentiment, adding, though, that he is seeking “someone that can maybe split roles” in addition to two full-time starters. Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz, two veteran pitchers, are already scheduled to play for the Cardinals in 2024. In addition, they have a number of gifted young players on the bench, such as former first-round selection Zack Thompson.
