The St. Louis Cardinals appear to be embarking on a long-anticipated rebuild this offseason. The team has already moved on from several veteran players, and reports suggest the front office is open to trading stars like Nolan Arenado. However, this doesn’t mean they’ll shy away from free agency; any new signings could potentially become trade assets by the deadline.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently predicted that the Cardinals might sign reliever during the winter. Adding Leclerc would bolster an already talented bullpen, especially as rumors swirl about a possible trade involving closer Ryan Helsley.
“José Leclerc has been in the majors for eight seasons, and his performance has been anything but consistent,” Rymer noted. “He’s had standout seasons with ERAs in the 1.00s and 2.00s in 2018, 2022, and 2023—the latter ending with a World Series title with the Rangers. However, he also endured a season lost to Tommy John surgery in 2021 and a forgettable 2024 campaign. Still, his 36.0% whiff rate ranked in the 96th percentile, and he dominated right-handed hitters with a 36.3% strikeout rate. Combined with a hard-hit rate also in the 96th percentile, Leclerc remains a difficult pitcher to face. He’s worth a shot on a low-risk contract.”
Spotrac projects Leclerc to sign for under $10 million on a two-year deal. While he may not be a top-tier closer, his track record suggests he could be a valuable high-leverage arm for the Cardinals’ bullpen.
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