Phillies Could Pursue Ex-Cardinals Fireballer This Offseason In Free Agency

Phillies Could Pursue Ex-Cardinals Fireballer This Offseason In Free Agency

Former member of the Cardinals could be traded to the Phillies this offseason.

The former member of the St.

Louis Cardinals could be traded to the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason.

St.

Louis struggled in 2023 and ended up being one of the league’s sellers before the trade deadline.

The Cardinals traded Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, Paul DeJong, and Jordan Hicks before the deadline.

Hicks was one of the most surprising trades.

There were rumors near the deadline that the Cardinals were in talks with Hicks about a contract extension, and it seemed like the two sides could come to an agreement.

The two sides were unable to agree on a new contract, and he was ultimately traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hicks shined in Toronto, appearing in 25 games and posting a 2.

65 ERA.

He is currently a free agent, and new rumors have surfaced that he could return to the Cardinals, but if he doesn’t, the Philadelphia Phillies are a team that could suit him, according to MLB.

com’s Mark Feinsand said.

“It seems unlikely that the Phillies would pursue Josh Hader to fill their late bullpen needs, as the left-handed pitcher is expected to receive the largest contract in history for a reliever,” Feinsand said.

.

“Hicks has an elite fastball, averaging 160.

1 mph last season.

He ranks in the top 20% of the league in ground ball rate (96th percentile), average velocity (89th), and strikeout rate (83rd).

has been done.

” He would fit well with Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Alvarado on the back end of Philadelphia’s bullpen.

Hicks will be in high demand this offseason.

He’s only 27 years old and won’t be as expensive as a player like Josh Hader.

He’s not very expensive, but he has a ton of potential and a blazing fastball.

He has appeared in 212 games so far in his young career, posting a 3.

85 ERA and should be hitting his prime soon.

It makes perfect sense for the Cardinals to target Hicks, but it wouldn’t be too surprising if clubs were competing for his services.