St. Louis Cardinals Place 5-Year Veteran Pitcher On Waivers

The St. Louis Cardinals have made the decision to designate left-handed reliever Genesis Cabrera for assignment, according to various reports.

Cabrera, who has been with the team since 2019, was previously believed to be a potential trade asset. Despite his designation, there is still a possibility for Cabrera to be traded within the next seven days.

The 26-year-old southpaw's performance this season played a significant role in his removal from the Cardinals' 40-man roster.

New in St. Louis this morning: The Cardinals are designating left-handed reliever Génesis Cabrera for assignment. Cabrera has been with the team since 2019. A surprising move given his presumed trade interest, though he can still be traded within 7 days of being DFA’d. #STLCards
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) July 17, 2023

Over 32 relief appearances, Cabrera struggled with a 5.06 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP, 18 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched. This decline in performance, combined with a decrease in velocity and below-average command, has raised concerns.

However, despite his recent struggles, there is still potential in Cabrera's raw stuff. His fastball velocity and strong swinging-strike rate indicate the presence of promising skills.

#STLCards manager Oliver Marmol on Genesis Cabrera being designated for assignment today: “I thought it was the right time for him to have a change of scenery."
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) July 17, 2023

Additionally, Cabrera offers an affordable salary, team control through 2025, and the flexibility of a minor league option, making him an intriguing buy-low candidate for another team.

With the Cardinals focusing on roster changes for the 2024 season rather than a complete teardown, Cabrera's designation for assignment is part of their strategic approach.

It remains to be seen if a trade can be reached within the next week, or if Cabrera will be exposed to waivers. Regardless of the outcome, teams across the league may view him as a potential reclamation project with untapped potential. Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports