Cardinals rumors: Yadier Molina could return to St. Louis
The Cardinals could soon bring back famed star catcher Yadier Molina to St. Louis in some capacity, according to recent rumors. Fox 2 Now reported that Yadi and the Cards have discussed the idea of him returning to the team as a member of the coaching staff; it's not immediately clear how serious those talks are.
Molina spent nearly two decades in St. Louis and would serve as a huge boost to morale after the Cards' disappointing 2023 season. While Oli Marmol isn't letting go of the reins of the team yet, Molina's hire may at least put some pressure on the manager to produce results in the near future.
It makes sense for Molina to start out at the bottom run as a pitching coach; he's been lauded throughout his career for his intangibles in working with pitchers, as Redbird Rants' J.T. Buchheit writes.
And Molina could also help Willson Contreras find his footing after a shaky first year in St. Louis. The two-time champion and 10-time All Star would bring a wealth of experience to the Cardinals franchise, and it helps that he's beloved in St. Louis as well.
Cardinals rumors: Jordan Montgomery expected to attract multiple suitors
To no one's surprise, the Cardinals aren't the only ones keeping an eye on former pitcher Jordan Montgomery. The Red Sox are rumored to be in on the Montgomery stakes, too.
MassLive.com's Christopher Smith reported that the Red Sox could be interested in Cardinals target Jordan Montgomery this offseason.
Both the Red Sox and Cardinals will be looking to acquire starting pitching help and may end up in a bidding war for the 30-year-old lefty.
Montgomery was actually acquired by the Cards in 2022 but was traded to the Rangers when St. Louis opened up shop ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Despite selling a handful of talented pieces earlier this year, the Cardinals are expected to try and reunite with their former stud in the winter.
Since his trade in July, Montgomery has recorded a 2.79 ERA with the Rangers and allowed 1.7 walks per nine innings in 11 starts.
Cardinals rumors: Eduardo Rodriguez would be a massive offseason pick-up
Detroit Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodriguez is another starting pitcher the Cardinals may target this winter, according to Sports Illustrated's Patrick McAvoy.
Following a disaster of a 2023 season, St. Louis is expected to make a plethora of moves to improve the starting rotation, and that includes scouting all the talent from Jordan Montgomery to Aaron Nola to Rodriguez.
The 30-year-old Rodriguez joined the Tigers ahead of the 2022 season and will likely opt out of his contract to become a free agent this offseason. He had a 3.30 ERA in 26 starts.
Rodriguez notoriously rejected the Dodgers at the trade deadline, and it remains to be seen what his specific priorities are when it comes to picking a new team. The Tigers ace landing in St. Louis would be a dream come true for the Cards. The front office just has to figure out whether Rodriguez is seriously interested in them back.
