Roughly 22 weeks after making a solid impression at the major-league level, the St. Louis Cardinals have non-tendered pitcher Adam Kloffenstein. The announcement on Friday marked him as the second pitcher acquired by the Cardinals at the 2023 trade deadline to be removed from the 40-man roster.
This decision casts doubt on the June 30, 2023, trade as a potential misstep by John Mozeliak and the Cardinals’ front office.
Kloffenstein, a former Blue Jay, was acquired alongside Sem Robberse in exchange for Jordan Hicks. Hicks, meanwhile, excelled with Toronto, becoming one of four starters to post an ERA under 2.70 over at least 24 innings that season. His 1.083 WHIP and a sweeper that opponents hit just .136 against (per Statcast) further highlighted his value.
After the season, Hicks signed a four-year deal with the San Francisco Giants, where he transitioned into a starter. Though his early performance in the new role was strong, he cooled off by July. However, Hicks found renewed success in the bullpen, particularly in August, allowing just a single hit across seven appearances.
The Cardinals’ trade for Kloffenstein, in hindsight, appears questionable given Hicks’ immediate impact and subsequent success in a new role.
John Mozeliak’s latest glaring Cardinals mistake couldn’t be more obvious
While Adam Kloffenstein wasn’t expected to be the next Adam Wainwright for the St. Louis Cardinals, the fact that he was non-tendered just 15 months after being acquired in a trade doesn’t reflect well on the organization.
Jordan Hicks, on the other hand, displayed flashes of brilliance as a starter last season, while the Cardinals never gave even half of the return from the trade a real shot in the majors.
Holding on to Kloffenstein seemed like a sensible move at the time. There was a possibility he could have contributed to the Cardinals’ bullpen, but that now feels like a distant fantasy. Other teams now have the opportunity to unlock his potential.
The pressure now heats up on Dutch native Sem Robberse
Adam Kloffenstein, ranked as the Cardinals’ 19th prospect in January by Prospects1500, made a memorable MLB debut at the historic Rickwood Field this past June. In that game, he tossed a perfect inning, setting the stage for Ryan Helsley to earn his 25th save with two strikeouts. For those who witnessed it, Kloffenstein will be remembered as a Rickwood legend for his flawless performance in that iconic setting.
The attention now turns to the other half of the trade for Jordan Hicks: Sem Robberse. The former Dutch Major League pitcher will aim to make the trade seem less of a setback for the Cardinals. In 2024, Robberse posted a 4.59 ERA in 84.1 innings for Triple-A Memphis. He showed flashes of promise, including eight starts where he pitched into the sixth inning, highlighted by a standout performance in April when he threw eight innings and struck out nine. Robberse will need to build on these moments to help offset the growing concerns about the deal.
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