We’re entering that part of the MLB season when teams start making tough calls on players, and names start popping up on the waiver wire.
While designating players for assignment isn’t unusual, late April through June is when you tend to see some bigger names become available—and that’s where Triston McKenzie comes in.
To be upfront, I’m not overly optimistic that McKenzie will turn things around this season, and I don’t think the Cardinals are necessarily the team to fix him.
But picking him up off waivers is virtually risk-free. Given the state of the Cardinals’ pitching, it makes sense to put in a claim and see if there’s something to salvage.
The Guardians DFA’d McKenzie after he struggled badly this season, posting an 11.12 ERA over just 5.2 innings. It’s been a rough couple of years for the former top prospect, who missed most of 2023 with an elbow injury.
He showed real promise early in his career, especially in 2022 when he posted a 2.96 ERA across 30 starts. But in 2024, his velocity dipped, his control vanished, and Cleveland used him only out of the bullpen before deciding to move on.
For the Cardinals, taking a chance on McKenzie could be a smart low-cost gamble. It would cost them under $2 million, and if he doesn’t work out, they can DFA him too—no harm done.
Plus, their new assistant GM Rob Cerfolio knows McKenzie well from his time with the Guardians, so there’s familiarity.
This year is more about building for the future than winning now, and McKenzie could be worth a shot. If he figures things out, it’s a big win. If not, the cost was minimal.
