Former Cardinals Pitcher’s Value Plummets After Departure from St. Louis
The St. Louis Cardinals have seen their fair share of players leave and flourish with new teams—Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, and Adolis García being prime examples. Even Paul Goldschmidt is enjoying a strong resurgence with the Yankees after his free-agent exit. However, Kyle Gibson stands out as a case of a former Cardinal who has significantly regressed since leaving St. Louis.
Gibson wasn’t a star by any means during his time with the Cardinals, but he served a valuable role as a reliable back-end starter. Across 30 starts in 2024, he posted a 4.24 ERA over 169.2 innings. For a veteran on a one-year deal, that level of production was solid, especially for a team navigating a transitional season.
After the 2024 campaign, Gibson signed another one-year contract—this time with the Baltimore Orioles, who were dealing with a string of injuries in their rotation. His delayed signing reflected the league-wide hesitation surrounding his value, and unfortunately for the Orioles, that caution has proven warranted.
Gibson’s Steep Decline in Baltimore
In just three starts for Baltimore, Gibson has been hit hard. He’s surrendered 17 earned runs on 23 hits in only 11.2 innings, giving him an eye-popping 13.11 ERA. Even more concerning, he’s already allowed seven home runs and issued six walks. His season debut alone featured five home runs allowed in 3.2 innings—a rough beginning that has set the tone for his struggles.
Gibson hasn’t lasted five innings in any of his starts, and the Orioles have lost each game he’s pitched. At 37, it’s becoming clear that Gibson may no longer be able to perform at a major league level.
Cardinals’ Rotation Thriving Without Him
Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ pitching staff has flourished in Gibson’s absence. St. Louis currently ranks 10th in ERA, eighth in innings pitched, and seventh in starting pitcher fWAR across the league. Their depth is so strong that Steven Matz—who’s been effective—has been moved to the bullpen, while promising arms like Michael McGreevy are waiting in Triple-A.
Given the Cardinals’ depth and Gibson’s age, moving on from him was the logical choice. While it wasn’t expected that his decline would be this sharp, it’s clear the front office made the right decision. Gibson’s current performance suggests he may no longer belong in a big-league rotation.
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