Cardinals Free Agent Joins International League Club After Strong Season

The St. Louis Cardinals have had their hearts set on retooling the pitching staff as their top priority this offseason.

The organization has succeeded in filling the three missing holes in the rotation while adding much-needed bullpen depth and locking in on proven talents.

One Cardinals pitcher from last season will not be returning to Busch Stadium in 2024 after landing a deal with a team in an esteemed international league.

"Right-hander Drew VerHagen is signing a one-year contract with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan that includes a player option for a second season," FanSided's Robert Murray reported Friday. "The deal for VerHagen, who posted a 3.98 ERA in 60 games with the Cardinals last year, would max out close to $8 million over the two seasons."

VerHagen posted a 5-1 record with the aforementioned 3.98 ERA, 60-to-26 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .226 batting average against, and 1.28 WHIP in 61 innings pitched for the Cardinals in 2023.

The 33-year-old has showcased inconsistent production over the years -- partially due to injuries. Despite posting his second-lowest ERA with St. Louis last season, VerHagen missed time for a lingering hip impingement that followed him from the season prior.

The former Cardinals reliever became a free agent this offseason and was not signed back -- despite St. Louis needing to add bullpen depth this winter. 

It's clear that the Cardinals need more reliable arms in their bullpen and hopefully, the club will be able to find what it's looking for by Opening Day.