St. Louis Cardinals Sign Two Free Agent Pitchers

The St. Louis Cardinals have been active in bolstering their pitching depth, making several signings to strengthen their organization.

They recently added right-handed pitchers Jacob Barnes and Casey Lawrence to their ranks.

Barnes, a journeyman right-hander, wasted no time in finding a new opportunity after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies.

We have signed RHP Jacob Barnes to a minor league contract and assigned him to Memphis (AAA).

Barnes, 33, is seven-year MLB veteran who has appeared in 252 games with seven different teams since debuting in 2016. He owns a 4.70 ERA across 249.0 innings pitched. pic.twitter.com/3qJRXhKKgN
— Cardinals Player Development (@CardsPlayerDev) July 20, 2023

The Cardinals swiftly signed him to a minor league contract, aiming to enhance their organizational depth as the trade deadline approaches. Barnes had previous experience with the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers in 2022, making 23 relief appearances.

His signing provides the Cardinals with a potential asset as they navigate their pitching options.

Similarly, Casey Lawrence, a 35-year-old right-handed reliever, joined the Cardinals after opting out of his previous deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

We have signed RHP Casey Lawrence to a minor league contract and assigned him to Memphis (AAA).

Lawrence, 35, has spent the last 3 seasons in Toronto's system, appearing in six games with the Blue Jays in 2022. In 18 starts at Buffalo (AAA) this year, he is 3-7 with a 4.67 ERA. pic.twitter.com/qLrQBizkRG
— Cardinals Player Development (@CardsPlayerDev) July 20, 2023

While Lawrence's major league numbers have been underwhelming with a 6.80 ERA, he has demonstrated more promising performance in Triple-A with a 3.80 ERA over eight seasons.

In addition to his minor league experience, Lawrence also had a stint in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball in 2019. The Cardinals' decision to bring him on board highlights their focus on adding depth and potential options to their pitching staff.

These signings come as part of the Cardinals' efforts to strengthen their pitching corps and address organizational needs. Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports