The Cardinals have agreed to a minor league deal with righty Zach McAllister, the team announced this morning. He’ll report to Major League Spring Training and provide some depth in the rotation and bullpen.
Three full seasons have passed since McAllister last pitched in the Majors. He spent some time with the Phillies organization in 2021 but logged just 10 2/3 innings in the minors. The 34-year-old was a mainstay on the Cleveland pitching staff from 2012-17, first spending some time in the rotation before solidifying himself as a quality reliever. From 2015-17, McAllister posted a 2.99 ERA with a 26.1% strikeout rate against an 8.6% walk rate — often pitching more than an inning at a time.
Now 34 year old, McAllister will give St. Louis some depth both in the rotation and in the bullpen. The Cards’ rotation is largely set, with Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, Steven Matz, Dakota Hudson and Miles Mikolas the likeliest quintet to start games. Righty Drew VerHagen, signed to a two-year deal after a strong run in Japan, could also vie for some rotation work but may begin in the bullpen. In-house options like Jake Woodford and Johan Oviedo add further depth to the rotation, as does non-roster invitee Aaron Brooks. McAllister has a ways to go before he pushes his way into consideration for a big league roster spot, but he’ll give the Cards some experience depth to stash in Triple-A Memphis even if he doesn’t make the club out of camp.
I hear the cards are in on story?
Can anyone confirm?
My dad’s, uncle’s, brother’s, cousin’s, uncle’s, brother’s, grandpa’s, best friend’s nephew is Trevor’s agent. Can confirm the Cards interest.
Spend, based on your family tree list, Story’s agent would be about 120 years old!
He is actually 104
See if story has a Southern agent, it wouldn’t surprise me that these connections are true in the slightest. Everyone knows everyone
That would be amazing. Then they could trade dejong and probably sosa. I’d try to line up a deal for montas or manea. Then trade Hudson or flaherty. Flaherty has made it known he’s going to free agency and montas or manea could take his place. Plus either of those 2 would be more likely to resign than flaherty. Plus flaherty could bring a nice return
bighiggy, no reason to trade Flaherty if they’re trying to win this year, which they are.
Very true, they definitely need him or someone with his ability. I like flaherty alot, but he will not resign with cards. Also he’s been alittle more shakey that last 30 starts and I’m afraid he may lessen his trade value if for some reason the wheels fall off. He could also be lights out and his old ace self. Cards have a tendency to trade those players who have made it clear they intend to shop themselves around.
Huh, name one example please? I can’t recall any Cardinals player traded for that reason.
Gbs42, They just announced flaherty has an Inury. See told you they should have traded him lol. But in all seriousness he is injured, and that sucks. Apparently Reyes too. Ominous start to spring training.
bighiggy, one of us jinxed Flaherty. UGH!
Not realistic, but would be amazing indeed. You’re right that Flaherty will test free agency but he won’t be an FA until 2024, no sense in moving him right now especially for Manea who commands a higher salary and will be a free agent a year earlier. Both are guaranteed to test free agency. Montas is interesting but again, no reason to move Flaherty yet.
Mo all but said the cardinals are done with the offseason and he likes DeJong…so I would say it is nothing but smoke
He also said Matt Carpenter was his starting third baseman and then completed the Arenado trade the next day. Nothing he says Carrie’s any weight.
Carrie won’t like you taking about her weight like that
I’ve seen a few different reports to confirm this. I won’t hold my breath though as his asking price is going to be way too high.
This has been a rumor for like 5 years running. It’s just not going to happen for a number of reasons.
Mozeliak said DeJong was their starting shortstop unless something unforeseen happened.
That’s has rumors start Milwaukee-2028.
Well done.
No
A 34 yr old on the cardinals is considered part of their youth movement.
Yes, yes it is. It’s called creating depth at the minor league level so you do t fry your valuable prospects before they are ready. Not everyone is singed to be a difference maker in your eyes. Others have more responsibility than cheering and bitching.
I really don’t understand the narrative that the cardinals are old? So they have Goldy, Molina, and Wainwright….in which the last two have said they are retiring after this season and both are still good at what they do…Goldy is coming off of a season in which he got MVP votes…plus the cardinals already have replacements for them when they retire who are considered good prospects….so now you have Arenado who will turn 31 this year and the rest to the cardinals are very young…very confusing narrative to say the cardinals are old
You are right, that’s a tired narrative. Look at our outfield. All 4 are young and ready to take off. The team will seem much younger once Waino and Yadi retire.
Mikolas will be 34 this year-
Add Matz to that AARP rotation and three of the five starters are north of 30.
This seems like a new low, even for the master of “low hanging fruit” Johnny Mozeliak.
Why? It’s a minor league signing. What do you have to lose with pitching depth?
Garbage signing
Clown comment, bro.
No harm in this low risk signing. Been a fan of Zachs ever since he was in High School. Great head on his shoulders. Adds depth
MO, willing to give washed up players a chance in the name of depth. This adds zero depth to the rotation, zero depth to the entire staff. May as well sign Matt Carpenter and let him pitch a little. After all, Carpenter did pitch last year, so he has more recent experience than McAllister. Best bet, let McAllister carry Flaherty’s bags during Spring Training, so John won’t injure himself too soon.
I’m a long time Cards fan that lives in Dallas, I was listening to a local sports talk show this morning and they were talking about the Cowboys and how they were scraping the bottom of the barrel for players, this signing and the two others by the Cards exemplified that statement to a “T”, Mozeliak just keeps scraping from the bottom of the barrel too.
You’re comparing apples to oranges because the NFL doesn’t have a minor league system like the MLB. McAllister may never even play with the big club, but that doesn’t mean he can’t fill a role in AAA or AA ball and help out the youngsters.
McAllister offers rotation depth? In what world? Not sure how many multiple-inning stints will be in his future considering he hasn’t pitched in the majors in 4 years and hasn’t got consistent starts in 8. He can be a serviceable bullpen arm, but asking for rotation help from him is borderline ludicrous.
The cardinals have had a successful history of turning these moves into gold. The past few years haven’t gone well but they do tend to see things others don’t in pitchers. Their bullpens usually thrive on a variety of different looks that they can throw at other teams more than just overpowering stuff.
Lester, Happ= a playoff birth