St. Louis Cardinals Talking Extension With Key Pitcher

With free agency calling at the end of the 2023 season, the St. Louis Cardinals were expected to be making flame-throwing bullpen arm Jordan Hicks a prime trade candidate. But the Cards could be throwing us all a curveball, as they're apparently in talks on a multi-year extension instead for Hicks. 

The #STLCards are exploring a multi-year contract extension with RHP Jordan Hicks, per Katie Woo.

There is optimism a deal could be done within the next couple of days. pic.twitter.com/sawOIc9NdD

— STL Sports Central (@stlsportscntrl) July 25, 2023

Cardinals beat writer Katie Woo of The Athletic indicates that a contract could be signed within days. But she also admits that "if a deal cannot be reached, the Cardinals would almost certainly trade Hicks by the deadline." 

The 27-year-old Hicks can ratchet it up to triple-digit velocity on a regular basis, and has a wicked slider. He's shown back-end of the 'pen chops over the years, with 20 career saves coming into this season, in which he's added eight more in the past month or so since taking over as the Cards' full-time closer. 

He has a 3.67 ERA with 12.7 Ks per nine innings this year along with the 8 saves.

St. Louis will have plenty of other arms on the trade block, though, including starters Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery and relievers Ryan Helsley, Chris Stratton and Giovanny Gallegos.

Photo: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports