5 pitchers Cardinals should target to replace Jack Flaherty

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ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - It could be a nightmare situation if the St. Louis Cardinals are going to be without potential Cy Young winner Jack Flaherty for an extended period. So it's time to start dreaming up some replacements.

Flaherty was placed on the 10-day injured list after leaving Monday's start with left side tightness. Manager Mike Shildt called it a "serious" strain or tear on Tuesday and the team was still waiting to learn more from tests. For the purpose of this post, let's assume the worst (we're obviously hoping for the best).

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But here are a few guys that should be on the Cardinals radar:

Rick Porcello
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Rick Porcello

The 2016 Cy Young Award winner with the Red Sox is a free agent. His 5.65 ERA in 2020 with the Mets drops to a much more respectable 4.89 if you take out his first start of the season. And according to FanGraphs, his 1.7 WAR last year was among the top-25 pitchers in all of baseball – he would have been the most valuable pitcher on 14 different MLB teams. The 32-year-old is just waiting for an opportunity.

Cole Hamles
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Cole Hamels

Back in December, it was reported that several teams were checking in on the 37-year-old who made just one appearance in 2020. He's had injury problems the past two seasons, but has had plenty of recovery time and there's been no talk of retiring. Sounds like the four-time All-Star is waiting for the right situation and a team like the Cardinals who are expecting to contend for a World Series might be it.

Homer Bailey
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Homer Bailey

The current free agent and former Red starter is on Team USA (with Cardinals prospect Matthew Liberatore) and hoping to reach the Olympics. The 35-year-old has a couple of no-hitters to his name (2012, 2013) and is 14-9 with a 4.52 ERA over the last two seasons with the Royals, Athletics and Twins.

Danny Duffy
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Danny Duffy

How about an I-70 trade? The Kansas City Royals had a hot start to the season with the best record in baseball for a moment, but are beginning to cool off and may hope to get something in return for Duffy who is in the last year of his contract. He has a 1.94 ERA in seven starts this season, but is currently on the IL with a forearm flexor strain.

Max Scherzer
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Max Scherzer

The only opposing team's record as important to Cardinals fans as the Cubs and Brewers might be the Nationals. Because if they remain last place in their division, it could soon be time to sell the three-time Cy Young Award winner. The 36-year-old St. Louis native is a "good fit" with the Cardinals, according to USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale. He could be coming home this summer.