Which Cardinals’ rotation path would you take?

Writer Scott Plaza outlines two potential starting rotation strategies for the St. Louis Cardinals heading into the 2027 season. One approach suggests pursuing a higher-upside veteran free agent on a multi-year deal, proposing targets such as Kris Bubic or Patrick Sandoval, before potentially trading them at the deadline to open opportunities for returning pitchers like Richard Fitts.

Alternatively, Plaza proposes cycling internal young talent through a six-man rotation or leveraging minor-league options to preserve prospect innings. This development pathway would give major league opportunities to Triple-A pitchers such as Mason Molina, Cooper Hjerpe, Jurrangelo Cijntje, and Tekoah Roby alongside Fitts, while assuming Matthew Liberatore or another starter vacates a rotation role.