The St. Louis Cardinals are currently navigating choppy waters when it comes to their starting pitching depth, but the recent addition of Zach Plesac from the Cleveland Guardians could provide some much-needed stability. This signing, announced Friday afternoon, is a response to the Cardinals’ thin rotation and aims to bring versatility during a critical stretch of the season.
Fans might remember Plesac, now 30, from his promising beginnings with the Guardians. He debuted in 2019 with a respectable 3.81 ERA over 21 starts and even showcased his potential in the shortened 2020 season, lowering that ERA to an impressive 2.28 in eight starts. At that moment, he seemed poised to be a mainstay in the Guardians’ rotation for years to come.
However, things took a turn in the following seasons. Between 2021 and 2022, Plesac made 49 starts and one relief appearance, finishing with a 4.49 ERA. His 4.59 FIP reflected a consistent performance, characterized by his ability to limit walks and induce soft contact. This formula may not turn heads, but for a team like the Cardinals, who are looking to bolster their pitching ranks, it could be exactly what they need.
What makes this signing even more intriguing is the connection Plesac has with certain members of the Cardinals’ front office. Rob Cerfolio, the new assistant general manager of player development and performance, crossed over from the Guardians, where he honed a relationship with Plesac over the years. His familiarity with the pitcher’s skills and demeanor can give Plesac a fresh start in St. Louis, especially as Cerfolio takes a hands-on approach to player development across the organization. Additionally, Larry Day, the Cardinals’ new director of player development, also has roots in Cleveland, sharing past experiences with Plesac.
It’s worth noting that Plesac has faced challenges recently; the Guardians parted ways with him after a rocky start to 2023, and his time with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this year didn’t go much better, as he finished with an 8.25 ERA across three starts. To regroup, he turned to the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League, where he showed flashes of his potential by racking up a 2.84 ERA and nearly eight strikeouts per nine innings.
While the Cardinals are fortunate to have a currently healthy big league rotation, the landscape beyond that is concerning. With only Michael McGreevy in Memphis offering potential reinforcements, the team has been left to grapple with injuries to other prospects like Quinn Mathews and Tink Hence. The pipeline is presenting challenges, as several young arms have ended their seasons prematurely, leaving the Cardinals in a tough spot if they need an innings-eater.
Plesac’s arrival is not just about filling a spot on the roster; it’s about having a reliable option ready to step in without unreasonably stressing the team’s younger pitchers. While the hope is that they won’t have to lean heavily on him, the Cardinals are at least setting themselves up with a depth option they can trust in a pinch—a necessary strategy in a long baseball season.
In addition, Plesac isn’t the only recent move for the Cardinals aiming to fortify their roster. The team also signed left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek to a minor league deal earlier this week, likely to add depth to their bullpen. Both new signings will head to Memphis to work on their game, with the goal of making a strong case for a big league call-up as the season progresses.
