The St. Louis Cardinals made their first offseason roster move on Friday by claiming right-handed pitcher Roddery Munoz off waivers from the Miami Marlins and adding him to their 40-man roster.
While waiver claims typically don’t generate much excitement among fans, the response to this particular move has been mixed, especially given the current frustrations with the front office.
Munoz made his MLB debut this year, appearing in 18 games (17 starts) with a 6.53 ERA. Notably, he struggled with home runs, allowing a staggering 2.83 HR/9, which will need to improve for him to succeed at the Major League level.
Originally signed as an international free agent by the Atlanta Braves in 2018, Munoz had a brief stint with the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates last year before being traded to the Marlins in December 2023.
Though he showed promise with the Braves, he was too raw in his development for them to allocate a 40-man spot.
Munoz is recognized for his mid-90s fastball and athleticism, which gives teams hope for his potential. His command issues may lead to a future in the bullpen, but the Marlins were optimistic about his ability to perform as a starter last season.
With the Cardinals in a rebuilding phase, they can afford to explore Munoz’s capabilities, whether as a starter, reliever, or both.
His low-90s slider, which behaves like a cutter, is considered crucial for unlocking his potential. Many agree he has electric stuff, but without improved command, that talent may go untapped. However, if he can harness it, his fastball/sinker and slider combo could be very effective.
He represents a similar gamble to Riley O’Brien, where the Cardinals hope to capitalize on his raw talent.
Notably, Marlins GM Peter Bendix has ties to Chaim Bloom from their time in Tampa Bay, which is significant given the Cardinals’ recent small moves linked to Bloom. Previous acquisitions like O’Brien, Nick Robertson, and Ryan Fernandez all have connections to him.
While I’m not claiming Munoz will be an incredible addition, I’m not ready to dismiss the move outright. I appreciate that the Cardinals are increasingly taking chances on raw talent, as seen with Fernandez, which can benefit the team. Conversely, moves like the O’Brien acquisition had minimal downside.
For context, many, including myself, were skeptical about the Cardinals keeping Michael Siani on the 40-man roster last offseason. He has since proven us wrong and emerged as a valuable asset, justifying his roster spot.
Munoz may not become a standout, but adding him for free is worthwhile. If the Cardinals encounter a roster crunch later, they can always place Munoz on waivers. With his addition, the team now has 36 players on their 40-man roster, but they will need to make room for Tink Hence, Tekoah Roby, and others soon to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.
