In a surprising move, the St. Louis Cardinals have designated right-handed pitcher Zak Kent for assignment. The team needed to clear space on their 40-man roster ahead of the upcoming season.
Kent joined the Cardinals last year after a trade with the Texas Rangers. His career’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, with some flashes of talent and plenty of ups and downs.
Zak Kent’s Journey to the Cardinals
The Texas Rangers originally drafted Zak Kent in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He built a reputation for a lively fastball and some solid secondary pitches.
Kent moved up the Rangers’ farm system pretty quickly. His minor league numbers earned him a spot on the Rangers’ 40-man roster, but he couldn’t quite put it together in the majors.
Trade to St. Louis
Last season, the Cardinals picked up Kent from the Rangers in a mid-year trade. The front office hoped he’d boost their pitching depth.
At the time, Kent looked like a young arm with the tools to develop into either a starter or a bullpen asset. Injuries and inconsistency, though, have really gotten in his way since he arrived in St. Louis.
Performance with the Cardinals
Kent pitched both as a starter and out of the bullpen for the Cardinals. He had moments where he looked sharp, but overall, the results just weren’t there.
He struggled with command, leading to too many walks and trouble finishing innings. His ERA and WHIP ended up well above league average, which didn’t help his case to stick around.
Injuries and Setbacks
Injuries also piled up for Kent, limiting how often he could pitch. These setbacks stalled his development and made it tough for the Cardinals to count on him.
He put in the work to rehab and get back, but he just couldn’t find his footing as a reliable option for the staff.
Implications of the DFA Decision
By designating Kent for assignment, the Cardinals open up a roster spot as they get ready for the new season. Maybe they’re planning to bring in new arms through free agency or another trade—hard to say, but it’s possible.
Potential Landing Spots for Kent
Now that Kent’s available, other teams might give him a look. He’s only 26, and despite the struggles, there’s still some raw talent there.
Teams known for fixing up pitchers or rebuilding clubs looking for a cheap gamble could take a shot at him. It wouldn’t be shocking to see someone roll the dice.
Future Outlook for the Cardinals
The Cardinals are clearly trying to reshape their pitching staff. They’ve got some young arms in the system who could make an impact soon.
There are also rumors tying them to free-agent pitchers, so it seems they’re not done making moves to strengthen the rotation and bullpen.
Focus on Development
St. Louis has a history of growing their own pitching talent. With Kent out of the picture, maybe they’ll lean even more into developing their young prospects.
Guys like Matthew Liberatore and Zack Thompson have shown promise in the minors, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they get more chances in the big leagues this year.
Conclusion
The Cardinals decided to designate Zak Kent for assignment. This move marks a big moment for both Kent and the team.
Kent’s time with the Cardinals ends here, but his career isn’t over. Other teams are probably keeping an eye on him right now, wondering if he’ll fit into their plans.
The Cardinals seem determined to shake things up and aim higher next season. You can check out the full article for more details on MLB Trade Rumors.
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