As the St. Louis Cardinals prepare for a likely dull 2024 offseason, let’s take a look back at their best free-agent signings of the past 24 years. In recent years, the Cardinals have found their fair share of duds on the open market, including a notoriously aged Brett Cecil and an injury-prone and ineffective Steven Matz. However, if one is willing to stretch their scope backward into their years atop the NL Central, there are a multitude of signings that turned out to be franchise-defining moments. From World Series MVPs to lockdown closers, this list features some of the best acquisitions in Cardinals history.
Top Five Cardinals Free Agent Signings Since 20o0
5. Carlos Beltrán (6.2 WAR/2 seasons)
While his 2012 signing didn’t necessarily counter the departure of Albert Pujols as intended, Carlos Beltrán‘s star presence brought excitement to the team in the championship hangover of 2012 and the disappointing World Series loss of 2013.
OTD: 10/8/12
The Cardinals crush four home runs against the Nationals in Game 2 of the NLDS
Allen Craig
Daniel Descalso
Carlos Beltran
Carlson Beltran, againThis team was so much fun pic.twitter.com/U0VFsjFYVT
— Cardinals Talk (@theredbird_way) October 8, 2024
Over his two years with the team, he hit 56 home runs and made two All-Star appearances.
While he was a short-lived Cardinal and failed to get his coveted World Series ring with the team, his time punishing other teams in the postseason (rather than punishing the Cardinals) is fondly remembered by fans.
4. Jeff Suppan (3.7 WAR/3 Seasons)
A 2004 free agent signing, Jeff Suppan dished out 30+ starts all three years he was with the Cardinals, throwing a career-low 3.57 ERA in the 2005 season.
However, his best moments came in the 2006 postseason. An integral part of the championship team, Suppan blanked a New York Mets team which then featured Beltrán through six innings in Game 3 of the NLCS. His seven-inning, one-run performance in Game 7, however, sealed his place as NLCS MVP. He also started Game 5 of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers that year, and his winning performance clinched the Cardinals’ 10th championship in franchise history.
Jeff Suppan on the 2004 #STLCards and coming back to Busch: “A lot of good memories. … I felt like it was an unconscious team that went out and played well, they played for each other and we won.” pic.twitter.com/LBsUu9O94L
— FanDuel Sports Network Midwest (@FanDuelSN_MW) July 26, 2024
While his stint with the Cardinals was short (and his second stint was somewhat forgettable), Suppan will always remain enshrined in Cardinals history.
3. Jason Isringhausen (6.8 WAR/7 Seasons)
A 2002 free agent signing, Jason Isringhausen was a lockdown closer for the Cardinals for several years. He recorded a remarkable 217 saves in his tenure with the team and still holds the franchise record in that category. If flamethrower and emergent star Ryan Helsley isn’t dealt before he becomes a full free agent in 2025, he could contend for this title.
OTD: 10/5/02
Jason Isringhausen gets David Dellucci to ground out for the final out as the Cardinals sweep the defending champs D-backs and move on to the NLCS pic.twitter.com/8zj2Sxbcra
— Cardinals Talk (@theredbird_way) October 5, 2024
However, as it stands, Izzy’s shutdown performances, in both the regular season and postseason, have cemented him as the greatest closer in Cardinals history.
2. David Eckstein (5.6 WAR/3 Seasons)
A 2005 free agent signing, David Eckstein played the first four years of his career with the Anaheim Angels, receiving Rookie of the Year votes in his first year and MVP votes in his second.
His .292 batting average in 2006 preceded his incredible 2006 World Series, in which he won MVP and slashed .364/.500/.391. A 2-for-4, two RBI performance in Game 5 helped cement the Cardinals championship. Although he left via free agency after the 2007 season, fans and players alike will always remember his time with the Cardinals.
OTD: 10/25/06
Comeback Cards take the lead in the 7th and 8th innings off huge hits from Preston Wilson and David Eckstein in Game 4 of the 2006 World Series. Adam Wainwright shut the door in the 9th. pic.twitter.com/8G1Q2f77d5
— Cardinals Talk (@theredbird_way) October 25, 2024
1. Chris Carpenter (27.7 WAR/9 seasons)
A top pitcher in Cardinals history, Chris Carpenter‘s intensity on the mound was only matched by his dominant performance in the Cardinals’ postseason runs in the mid-2000s. A three-time All-Star, Carpenter’s 2005 Cy Young campaign was the most impressive of his career. In that season, he threw for a 2.83 ERA and 213 strikeouts over 241 2/3 innings, beating out Dontrelle Willis and Roger Clemens for the award.
After six seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, the baseball world saw Carpenter as a solid starter, but his historic performances with the Cardinals are what cemented his legacy in MLB.
His eight-inning, shutout performance in Game 3 of the World Series decisively swung the momentum in the Cardinals’ direction, and they never looked back.
Photo Credit: © Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
