3 players for St. Louis Cardinals to target this offseason
By David Hill
Adam Kolarek
The St. Louis Cardinals need another left handed reliever.
Zack Thompson was easily the Cardinals best left handed option coming out of the bullpen last season, generating plenty of grounders en route to a 2.08 ERA and a 0.981 WHiP over his 34.2 innings. He is also the only left handed reliever on the Cardinals’ depth chart currently, although the likes of Packy Naughton and Jojo Romero could get an opportunity.
This is also an area that the Cardinals should look for some competition. One possible option would be Adam Kolarek, another groundball generating lefty who could be a perfect fit with the Cardinals’ stellar infield defense.
He would not be an exciting signing. Kolarek posted a 4.58 ERA and a 1.585 WHiP in his 17.2 innings, striking out nine batters with eight walks. And it speaks volumes that the pitching needy A’s outrighted him off of their 40 man roster in June. But Kolarek also has a 62.9% ground ball rate in the majors thus far in his career and had a great deal of success during his time with the Dodgers. Although he would not be an exciting move, he would be the type of player that the Cardinals typically find success with.
The St. Louis Cardinals need to find a left handed reliever. Adam Kolarek would be well worth a look on a low cost deal.