Mike Axisa of CBS Sports identified St. Louis as a possible destination for two-time All-Star Freddy Peralta. The idea sounds nice on paper. A veteran ace to lead the rotation while young arms get ready. But the math does not work for this team right now.
Peralta had a wild year. He struggled with the Mets, then found his groove with the Tampa Bay Rays. He even faced his old team, the Milwaukee Brewers, in the World Series before losing. CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa wrote, “No. 5. RHP Freddy Peralta,” when listing his top targets. The report notes he made key changes in Tampa, raising his arm angle and pitching from the stretch. These moves gave him a livelier fastball and better command.
The Price Tag Is Too High
Money is the biggest problem. According to reports, Freddy Peralta’s estimated market worth exceeds $201 million over seven years. That is a massive contract. Even if the final deal drops to half that amount, it is still a nine-figure commitment. The Cardinals are not there yet. They are in a rebuild phase. They need to wait for prospects like Liam Doyle and Tanner Franklin to reach the majors before dropping that kind of cash.
St. Louis won 77 games this past season. The Atlanta Braves won 94 games and the Chicago Cubs won 89. Peralta is a great pitcher with a 3.71 career ERA and a 3.25 ERA in his last 10 starts for Tampa. But one pitcher cannot fix a 77-win team. Giving a young franchise a seven-year deal for a starter who is not an immediate World Series winner is a bad move.
A Better Path Exists
The Cardinals have elite pitching prospects waiting in the wings. They have young pieces all over the place. They do not need to overpay for a rental or a veteran who costs too much. Per Sports Illustrated, the team should look for someone like Shane Bieber or Nick Martinez instead. Those names make more sense for this specific moment in the rebuild.
Viva El Birdos suggests the winter activity will be slow. With the roster largely finalized, the rotation boasts numerous choices for innings. The squad could once more treat the fifth rotation slot as a revolving door for prospects. This approach lets them see who is ready without locking up a huge salary. It keeps the team flexible while the farm system matures.
Wait for the Right Moment
Signing Peralta now would be a mistake. It forces the team to pay for a win they are not ready to achieve. The Cardinals need to be patient. They need to let the young guys get their feet wet. Then, when the team is closer to contention, they can spend big on an ace.
The list from CBS Sports is just that—a list.
