Cardinals Hold Ideal Opportunity for Triston McKenzie's Gamble
Revamped Write-up:
It's that time of year when Major League squads start parting ways with players, and the months of April to June often see some big names popping up on the waiver wire. So, here's a wild proposition: the St. Louis Cardinals should snag Triston McKenzie, a pitcher designated for an assignment by the Cleveland Guardians.
Now, I'm not one to blindly back a player, and I'm not convinced McKenzie will make a comeback this season. But, hey, adding him via waivers presents minimal risk, so Cards fans, let's rally for the team to put in a claim.
Let's Give Triston McKenzie a Chance
On Monday, the Guardians announced they were designating McKenzie for an assignment after he posted an astounding 11.12 ERA in five innings this season. This man once showed some serious potential – before injuries took a toll and control issues cropped up in 2023.
Back in 2019, McKenzie was considered the Cleveland Guardians' top prospect and a top 41 prospect in all of baseball, according to MLB.com. He had an impressive small-sample showing in the 2020 season and following a fine 2021 campaign, broke out in a big way in 2022. In 31 games (30 starts), McKenzie registered a 2.96 ERA, among the best pitchers in the league in terms of striking batters out and keeping walks to a minimum.
Things took a downturn in 2024, though, as he struggled with command and saw his fastball velocity dip. The Guardians moved him to the bullpen, but apparently felt a change of scenery was in order.
The Cardinals' battered bullpen has been a topic of conversation throughout the season, and while bringing on a volatile player like McKenzie may sound a bit batty, the Cardinals are in the right place to take a chance on struggling players.
Claiming McKenzie, if he isn't traded, would cost the Cardinals under $2 million, a pittance considering the potential payoff. If McKenzie fails to deliver, no harm – the Cards can easily release him, or assign him to the minor leagues to try his hand as a starter again.
The Cardinals recently welcomed Rob Cerfolio, a savvy baseball executive with a background in player development and player performance, as their new Assistant General Manager. Cerfolio, who worked with McKenzie with the Guardians throughout his development process, is one of the people most knowledgeable about McKenzie's potential.
During this transition year, the focus for the Cardinals is on laying the groundwork for long-term success. Wins and losses aside, adding as much starting pitching talent as they can get is essential for that goal. So why not take a flier on McKenzie and see what happens? The worst-case scenario? The Cards burn through a little cash and learn a bit more about a promising, but troubled, young pitcher. The best-case scenario? They strike gold.
If the Cardinals want to succeed in developing pitching talents, players like McKenzie can be the key. They've recently had some luck with Andre Pallante and the early 2025 results of Matthew Liberatore. Could McKenzie be the next promising starter the Cards help turn around? It's a long shot, but with minimal risk involved, why not give it a go?
- If the Guardians don't trade Triston McKenzie, the St. Louis Cardinals could potentially claim him for under $2 million, offering a minimal financial risk.
- Despite his struggle with command and dipping velocity in 2024, Triston McKenzie, a top prospect once considered among the best in baseball, would present an opportunity for the Cardinals to bolster their starting pitching talent.
- Rob Cerfolio, the Cardinals' new Assistant General Manager with a background in player development and performance, has a unique insight into Triston McKenzie's potential since he worked with McKenzie during his development process with the Guardians.
- Given their focus on long-term success and the need for starting pitching talent, the Cardinals might consider taking a chance on McKenzie, with the possibility of turning him into another promising starter like Andre Pallante or Matthew Liberatore.
