Keynan Middleton, a relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, was expected to play a key role in the team’s bullpen for the 2024 MLB season.
However, Middleton missed the entire season after undergoing surgery to repair a flexor tendon.
With a career 3.84 ERA across seven seasons with teams like the Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees, Middleton had shown promise.
Heading into the 2025 season, the Cardinals hold a $6 million club option for Middleton.
However, with the team looking to cut payroll, it’s likely they will decline this option.
If that happens, Middleton would hit the free-agent market, where he could attract interest from multiple teams in need of bullpen help.
While Middleton was expected to command a deal worth around $20 million over three years, his missed 2024 season could result in a contract below that projected value.
The Cardinals face key decisions this winter, and Middleton’s future with the team is uncertain.
If the team opts not to bring him back, Middleton could still be a valuable asset on the open market, though his recovery from surgery could impact his market.
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