Ryne Stanek Signs with Cardinals -

"Free-agent reliever Ryne Stanek and the St. Louis Cardinals are in agreement on a contract, according to sources familiar with the deal. Stanek posted a 5.30 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP across 65 games this season. His fastball averages 98.5 mph, but it was also the pitch opponents hit most effectively. Hitters recorded a .268 average and a .351 wOBA against his four-seam fastball, which accounted for much of his lack of success."

"The Cardinals have had a relatively quiet offseason in terms of acquisitions, with their biggest moves being the trades of Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray. They entered the winter without major expectations, as the team is projected to rebuild over the next year or two. Stanek has been a pitcher of interest for the Cubs over the past two years. Last offseason, he signed with the Mets for $4.5 million. This time, he joins the Cubs' division rival in St. Louis."

Ryne Stanek signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. He posted a 5.30 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP across 65 games last season. His four-seam fastball averaged 98.5 mph but yielded a .268 batting average and a .351 wOBA against, contributing to his struggles. The Cardinals had a relatively quiet offseason, with the largest moves being trades of Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray, and the team is projected to rebuild over the next one to two years. Stanek drew interest from the Cubs and signed with the Mets last offseason for $4.5 million. The Cubs are not desperate for bullpen help, and Craig Counsell has limited urgency to add another reliever this winter.

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