Ex-Red Sox All-Star Putting On Showcase; Cardinals Are Logical Landing Spot

The St. Louis Cardinals' biggest objective going into this offseason was to rejuvenate the pitching staff that underperformed in 2023.

The club went out and landed three proven starters to replenish the rotation and then traded for right-hander Andrew Kittredge to bolster the bullpen.

The Cardinals could still use a high-leverage reliever and a former Boston Red Sox closer would be a perfect fit.

"Free agent right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes, a 2021 All-Star, is likely to throw for Major League Baseball teams within the next week," MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Sunday. "Barnes is coming back from an offseason hip procedure; with his World Series experience, he could be a wise addition for teams needing bullpen help."

Barnes posted a 32-30 record with a 4.07 ERA, 556-to-200 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .240 batting average against and a 1.34 WHIP throughout nine seasons pitched for the Red Sox.

The 33-year-old was traded to the Miami Marlins in 2023 -- along with cash -- in exchange for left-handed pitcher Richard Bleier. 

The former World Series champion struggled last season -- recording a 5.48 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP in 21 1/3 innings pitched. Barnes missed the latter half of 2023 due to a left hip impingement and entered free agency this winter after the Marlins declined a $9 million club option.

It's been said that the Cardinals are looking in the $5 million range for another reliever and Barnes will likely land in that range.

With Barnes presumably healthy and looking to bounce back, it might be in the Cardinals' best interest to take a flyer on the proven reliever.