3 Free Agent Pitchers Cardinals Should Sign After Miles Mikolas Injury

The St. Louis Cardinals are already facing a setback with the news that starting pitcher Miles Mikolas will miss the beginning of the season. He's dealing with an elbow injury and the team now needs to fill his spot in the rotation.

Internal options will surely be considered, but the team should also look to the free agent market to bring in a suitable replacement.

3. Andrew Cashner

Andrew Cashner has a career 4.10 ERA and has proven he can eat up innings. He got off to a nice start in 2019 with Baltimore before being traded to Boston and holding down a few different roles. Yet his 9-3 record and 3.83 ERA in 17 starts with the Orioles had him on pace for his best career season. There was no pressure on that team and perhaps a temporary role with the Cardinals will have Cashner playing his best in order to earn another shot elsewhere.

2. Jason Vargas

Jason Vargas was an All-Star in 2017 with the Kansas City Royals. That was with a 4.16 ERA, which is close to his career mark of 4.29. The left-hander has a career record of 99-99 and is a low-risk veteran option for the Cardinals, plus he spent last season in the NL. He's not a star by any means, but he's capable of starting in Mikolas' absence and not totally derailing the team's chances of winning.

1. Ervin Santana

Ervin Santana is the best available option for the Cardinals. He was one of the better pitchers in the American League before injuries set him back in 2018. He was then only given three starts in 2019 before the Chicago White Sox gave up on him. He has a career 4.09 ERA and was an All-Star in 2017. He threw 211.1 innings that year and showed he's capable of being a top starter when healthy. He would be a steal for the Cardinals if he's back to full health.