The St. Louis Cardinals are devoted to rebuilding. Following another season of missing the playoffs, they have made hires to strengthen their lower league systems. With a Nolan Arenado trade looming, St. Louis hasn’t done much this offseason. That indicates they have holes, particularly in the mound. According to MLB.com’s John Denton, Matthew Liberatore, a crucial bullpen pitcher, might enter the Cardinals’ rotation as a starter this season.
“Cardinals LHP Matthew Liberatore, who found his niche in 2024 as a dependable reliever, said he’s working to be a starter in Spring Training and 2025,” Denton shared on Twitter. “‘It’s easier to go from five innings to one than one to five,’ he explained. The challenge for Liberatore will be to improve against righties.
Liberatore turned 25 this offseason and is starting his fourth season with the Cardinals. During his first two seasons, he alternated between the rotation and bullpen. He made 18 starts and 13 relief appearances in 2022 and 2023, finishing with a 5.51 ERA. He improved significantly in 2024, making six starts, 54 relief appearances, and posting a 4.40 ERA.
The Cardinals’ pitching staff is subpar, which is one of the reasons they are on the verge of rebuilding. Liberatore will contribute, but will not spark a surprising playoff run in St. Louis.
The Cardinals need major pitching improvements for 2025
The Cardinals hired Chaim Bloom, the former Red Sox general manager, to lead a revamped development system. Part of the cause is the absence of homegrown pitchers on the current squad. Andre Pallante was the only 2024 Cardinals pitcher with more than 20 starts who began his career with the franchise. Pitching development is critical to championship success, and Liberatore might play a role.
However, as Denton noted, Liberatore needs to improve significantly against right-handed hitters. He has allowed a.292 batting average against righties and a.212 average versus lefties. It goes beyond that; 18 of the 21 home runs he has allowed in his career have been against righties. And he has walked 61 righties and 10 lefties.
After the 2025 season, the Cardinals’ three starting pitchers will become free agents. Miles Mikolas, Erick Fedde, and Steven Matz might all be moved at the trade deadline. If this is the case, they will require homegrown talent to take the mound. Liberatore will find it simpler to make the move if he is prepared to start right away.
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The Cardinals might look to free agency to locate more starters, but developing their own is a more effective method to fill innings in 2025.
