ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Cardinals went into the offseason with one priority above everything else: get three starters that can improve a rotation that posted the fourth-worst ERA in all of baseball last season.
The Cardinals, to their credit, did add three starters, signing Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson and Sonny Gray in a 10-day span all before the Winter Meetings were set to begin next week in Nashville, Tennessee.
Some Cardinals fans will no doubt feel the team could've done better than signing Lynn and Gibson, and hope that the team still have more moves in play when it comes to the starting rotation. However, don't expect at the moment the team to make more additions to the rotation. Right now.
During the team's press conference to announce the signing of Gray, featuring a appearance by the man himself, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak was asked at the end of the press conference if they could look to add more starting rotation help even after signing three starters, Mozeliak said they aren't looking to add any more starting pitching at the moment.
“I don’t think we’re looking to add starting pitching now." said Mozeliak. "We certainly feel like we accomplished something for our rotation."
The statement Monday falls in line with what Mozeliak said just right before Thanksgiving when the team announced the signings of Lynn and Gibson, where previously said where he 'leaned towards' only adding three starters when asked if the team could go after a fourth starter.
However, Mozeliak isn't completely ruling the possibility out.
"Today's a great day for us, we feel really good about what's happened in the last 10 days, but we know there's still two months left in the offseason." said Mozeliak. "We really don't want to close any doors and recognize there could be other opportunities."
Speaking about the team's next steps to improve the team, Mozeliak highlighted the trade market as an avenue they are going to look too to help with the improvements.
"Now I think we really need to look at what trade options there might be out there and maybe arbitrage that to improve the club." said Mozeliak.
It is unsurprising the trade market would be the next avenue for the team. With a crowded outfield and players like Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson among those with trade speculation over the past couple months, it's unsurprising for the team to look at the trade market.
One name that has also seemed to have also been in trade rumors is surprisingly Steven Matz, who has two-years and 22 million left on his contract. According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, Matz was quietly discussed being move at the trade deadline last year.
Whether trading Carlson, O'Neill or Matz could potentially set up a bigger move, bring in reinforcements for the bullpen or potentially set a path to add more to the rotation is still unclear.
While Mozeliak has been quite clear that the team seems to be done adding starting pitching help at the moment, never say never and the Cardinals offseason still isn't over yet until players report to Spring Training in February, especially when the Winter Meetings are still to come next week.
"What might happen at the Winter Meetings next week is TBD but we certainly feel a lot better about our club today than we did two months ago." said Mozeliak.