ST. LOUIS—With three free agent starting pitchers already in the fold this offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals’ contingent heading to Nashville for Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings starting Sunday will look to bolster the club’s bullpen, President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak told Spectrum News on Friday, while leaving the door at least slightly ajar for more movement in the rotation.

“We were very aggressive in the free agent market which was strategic. We did not think we were going to be able to acquire what we were looking for via trade, at least where we didn’t feel like we were going to give up something that we were comfortable with, and so now that we do have some starting pitching we are going to be looking at things for our bullpen and be open-minded because there could be something that we haven’t thought about,” Mozeliak said while supporting the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign outside the Schnucks grocery store in Clayton Friday afternoon.

The Cardinals signed veteran free agent starters Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson after a 2023 season that saw the departures of pending free agents Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery in July deadline deals, and the retirement of Adam Wainwright at season's end.

Could being opportunistic translate into more additions to the starting rotation?

Maybe. 

“We feel like we have a strong five right now. We feel like we have three or four guys that could give us depth throughout the season as well, so it’s not like a front-line priority but you never say never because something may pop up and make sense,” Mozeliak said.

Something Mozeliak will address officially next week is the status of former Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who has been in discussion with the club about a possible role on the coaching staff. Mozeliak is aware of an interview Molina gave in Puerto Rico that suggested a full-time role on the major league staff was likely not going to happen in 2024. There will be more discussions with Molina’s representatives, Mozeliak said.

“Not denying it, but I’m not confirming it, but I do think we’ll find a path for him back,” Mozeliak said.