The St. Louis Cardinals’ decision to not tender right-hander Adam Kloffenstein after the Rule 5 deadline has made the 24-year-old an intriguing addition to the free agent market. Kloffenstein was originally picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft, and his excellent frame and potential stuff landed him as the Blue Jays’ seventh-best prospect. After being dealt to the Cardinals at the 2023 deadline, Kloffenstein is now at a crossroads, looking for a new team to help him reach his full potential.
Adam Kloffenstein’s Potential as a Non-Tendered Free Agent
Kloffenstein demonstrated promise after joining the Cardinals in 2023. He had a 3.00 ERA in 39 innings for Triple-A Memphis, with to a mid-90s sinking fastball and a powerful slider. He was the Cardinals’ No. 23 prospect at the time of the deal. Hicks struggled with injuries and consistency before signing with the San Francisco Giants for the 2024 season. He had limited success, starting 20 games with a 4.10 ERA.
Kloffenstein made his MLB debut on June 20, 2024, pitching a scoreless inning of relief. His success in Triple-A suggests that he can make a quick transition to the majors. Kloffenstein, despite his age, might still add value to his next squad.
Despite his promise as a low-cost starter, Kloffenstein’s 2024 season was cut short by injury. A shoulder issue held him out of the rotation after 17 starts, during which he had a 4.74 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings. He is expected to return for the 2025 season.
Potential Landing Spots
Minnesota Twins
Over the last few years, the Twins have struggled to keep their squad healthy. Their starting rotation has been especially hampered, and the team’s lack of depth in this area is a serious issue. To compete in 2025, the Twins must overcome this problem. Despite declaring that their salary will remain stable, the Twins are unlikely to make significant moves in free agency. Instead, they may choose a young, projectable pitcher with upside over a more expensive, established arm.
Washington Nationals
Although Mackenzie Gore and Jake Irvin delivered promising outings in 2024, the Nationals are committed on improving their rotation and bullpen depth. While they may favor bigger names like Anthony Santander, don’t be surprised if they also go after a durable, innings-eating pitcher like Kloffenstein. His ability to recover from injuries and give stability might be valuable for a young team like the Nationals.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are planning a major roster revamp this offseason, borrowing inspiration from the Kansas City Royals’ successful rebuild. With Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks already on board, the Angels are likely to add more depth to complement their young core. Expect the Angels to stay active in the market as they strive to develop a more competitive roster.
Market Value & Contract Projection
On November 21, the Cardinals signed right-handers Tink Hence and Tekoah Roby to the 40-man roster as part of a “re-tool” strategy to optimize internal flexibility. Both were eligible for the Rule 5 Draft and are presently ranked second and sixth among the organization’s prospects, respectively.
Kloffenstein will most likely receive a minor-league contract from another organization, giving him the opportunity to show himself as a major-league ready starter. Tobias Myers, the Milwaukee Brewers’ starter, has a shockingly comparable contract. Myers traveled across many organizations until signing a one-year, $740,000 minor-league contract with the Brewers in 2024. As numerous starters were injured throughout the season, Myers became a fixture in their rotation.
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If one organization regards Kloffenstein as having similar potential, expect him to receive a contract worth $750,000 or more.
