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The St. Louis Cardinals have been trying to work out an extension with reliever Jordan Hicks, but nothing has materialized yet. Per reports from multiple sources, several teams are showing interest in acquiring the flamethrowing righty. The Rangers, Diamondbacks, Rays and Yankees all have reportedly been in contact with the Cardinals in regard to Hicks.
Texas Rangers Looking to Add Another High Octane Reliever
The Rangers have already acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Royals, and it appears they’re not done yet. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Rangers have been attempting to work out a trade that would bring the right-handed reliever Hicks to Texas. Additionally, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi recently reported that the Rangers have been exploring trades that could address their rotation and bullpen needs. The Cardinals match up well in that scenario since they likely have Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty also available.
Flamethrowing Reliever Hicks is Having Solid Season
Hicks, a free agent at season’s end, made his debut in the majors at the young age of 21 years old so he will be hitting the free agent market at just 26 years of age.
Hicks got off to a rough start to the season but has seemingly turned things around since early May. The Cardinals tried to send him back to Triple-A Memphis while he was struggling early in the season, but he refused the assignment. Since then, he has been one of the best relievers in baseball. In his past 28 2/3 innings pitched, the flamethrowing reliever Hicks has a 1.88 ERA with a 31.4% strikeout rate, an 8.5% walk rate and an impressive 66.7% ground-ball rate. If he can avoid the walks Hicks is capable of being a dominant bullpen piece. Undoubtedly, any team in contention should be interested in his services.
Can Hicks Stay Healthy?
Hicks’ durability will undoubtedly be a concern for any team interested in acquiring him from the Cardinals. Since making his debut in 2018, he has only pitched 219 1/3 innings. In 2019, Hicks tore his UCL in June. That injury ended his season and sidelined him for the entire 2020 campaign. Hicks has also spent time on the injured list due to several other issues.
However, Hicks has avoided the injured list this season and has made 40 appearances so far. The number of appearances is the second highest in his career next to his rookie campaign. The durability Hicks has shown this season has most likely increased his value and interest from other teams needing pitching.
Should Cardinals Trade Hicks?
The short answer to that question is no. The team has no promising relievers in the minors that will be guaranteed contributors in 2024. Furthermore, the Cardinals’ pitching struggles have been brutal this season. They are currently on pace for a record of most blown saves in a season. To put it in perspective, if the Cardinals had the same amount of blown saves as the Cubs, they would be comfortably sitting at the top of the N.L. Central. However, if an extension is unlikely, it makes sense for the organization to get what they can before he’s gone in free agency.
