Cardinals Make Pair Of Surprising Cuts To Open Roster Spots; Could Big Move Be Coming?

The St Louis Cardinals certainly were busy Friday.

The Major League Baseball non-tender deadline passed Friday night and the Cardinals made a handful of moves. St. Louis officially non-tendered pitchers Dakota Hudson and Jake Woodford, along with catcher Andrew Knizner and outfielder Juan Yepez, according to the club. 

"We have non-tendered the following players: (right-handed pitcher) Dakota Hudson, (right-handed pitcher) Jake Woodford, (catcher) Andrew Knizner, and (first base/outfielder) Juan Yepez. Our 40-player roster now stands at 36," the club said.

Clubs had until Friday night to decide whether or not to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players. Players who were non-tendered now have the opportunity to enter free agency. The most surprising of St. Louis' moves Friday certainly is non-tendering Knizner and Yepez. 

Knizner was drafted in the seventh round of the 2016 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and made his big league debut in 2019. He was a steady backup catcher and developed into a fan favorite during his time with St. Louis. He had arguably the best season of his career in 2023 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in 70 games while providing solid defense. There were rumblings he could be traded so it's surprising they were unable to find a partner. 

Yepez also found his name in trade rumors on numerous occasions over the last year. He likely wasn't going to play much of a role with the big league club in 2023, but, surprisingly, the Cardinals were unable to find a trade partner for him.

St. Louis' moves could be a sign of bigger ones to come. The Cardinals freed up four spots on the 40-man roster and roughly $7 million, as well. St. Louis can use that money and extra spots to bolster the rotation in free agency. 

These won't be the last moves the Cardinals this offseason.