Cardinals fanbase gets the ‘blame’ for star trade failure

The St. Louis Cardinals are not even on Jack Flaherty’s radar in free agency, and it’s difficult to blame him. The St. Louis Cardinals are not even on Jack Flaherty’s radar in free agency, and it’s difficult to blame him.

Pitching in the World Series for his local team is a dream come true for Jack Flaherty, but it may only endure for this season. Flaherty is a free agent this winter and likely get a sizable contract on the open market. The Dodgers have a lot of money to spend, so they cannot be counted out on re-signing the Burbank kid.

Nonetheless, one team may be scratched off Flaherty’s list of free-agent suitors: the St. Louis Cardinals. Flaherty began his career with the Cardinals, but was unceremoniously traded to the Baltimore Orioles at the 2023 deadline for prospect money. That deal benefited the Cards, but not Flaherty, who battled down the stretch for the Orioles and squandered his shot at a multiyear contract last offseason. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Flaherty thrived in Detroit, where he signed a one-year contract to establish his worth. The Tigers’ head of baseball operations cashed in on Flaherty at the deadline, sending him to Los Angeles in exchange for shortstop Trey Sweeney.

St. Louis Cardinals reunion with Jack Flaherty feels off the table

Now that Flaherty has the opportunity to earn his worth on the open market, where may he wind up? Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden mentioned numerous teams, including the Dodgers, Mets, Twins, and Tigers. St. Louis did not make the cut.

Flaherty had a complex relationship with Cardinals supporters. He was popular at the start of his career, but as his numbers deteriorated, so did the goodwill he had created among the fans. When asked why he didn’t pursue a reunion in St. Louis only last winter, Flaherty gave a brief explanation: “Conversation. Effort. Honesty.” Detroit afforded him those, whereas his time with the Cardinals felt limited, for better or worse.

Parts of the Cardinals fan base frequently disagreed with Flaherty on social media, whether over his political or social views. Since his departure, Flaherty has made what some have interpreted as veiled barbs at the company.

Flaherty will always be grateful to St. Louis for developing him. Perhaps one day he will be welcomed back with open arms, but the right-hander might return to the Cardinals as soon as this winter.