The St. Louis Cardinals may face a familiar face this offseason, but it will be tough for fans, given how much he was loved and where he might end up next.
After announcing an organizational reset last fall, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak faced several difficult decisions this offseason.
One of the toughest choices was parting ways with a former fan favorite, who is now linked to the Cardinals’ most-hated NL Central rival.
In a recent article, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer highlighted the top available free agents and their potential landing spots. “This leaves (Kyle) Gibson, (Lance) Lynn (who could interestingly be used as a closer), and (Spencer) Turnbull as the best options,” Rymer wrote. “Bold Prediction: The (Chicago) Cubs sign Lynn, and the Yankees stick with their current roster,” he concluded.
Reports indicate that the Cubs have been monitoring Gibson and Lynn as potential additions to strengthen their rotation, though no deals have been made yet.
Lynn rejoined the Cardinals last offseason after spending the first six years of his career in St. Louis, including being part of the 2011 World Series championship team.
Despite posting a solid 7-4 record with a 3.84 ERA, a 109-to-44 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .247 opponent batting average, and a 1.34 WHIP in 117 1/3 innings for the Cardinals in 2024, Lynn’s 2025 club option was declined, prompting the 13-year veteran to seek a new deal in free agency.
The Cardinals will face the Cubs for the first time in 2025 on June 23 at Busch Stadium. While St. Louis fans are used to seeing the two-time All-Star in an opposing team’s uniform after his time with five other clubs, seeing Lynn in a Cubs uniform would be hard to stomach if the deal happens.
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