Cardinals Reportedly Shopping Veteran Hurler 'Pretty Hard' Ahead Of Non-Tender Deadline

The St. Louis Cardinals may end up making a trade or two before the day is done.

The Major League Baseball non-tender deadline is set to pass Friday and the Cardinals will have some tough decisions to make. Clubs have to decide whether or not to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players and if not, they will be non-tendered and have the chance to hit free agency. 

One player who the Cardinals have a decision to make on is starting pitcher Dakota Hudson. The Cardinals reportedly have been talking to clubs about a possible trade for the 29-year-old, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. 

"The Cardinals are shopping Dakota Hudson "pretty hard" today, per source, meaning he could be a non-tender candidate if he's not moved," Feinsand said.

Hudson was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft and has spent his entire professional career in the organization. The 29-year-old appeared in 18 total games -- including 12 starts -- for the Cardinals in 2023 and compiled a 4.98 ERA in 81 1/3 innings pitched. 

His best season certainly was in 2019. Hudson appeared in 33 games -- including 32 starts -- and compiled a 3.35 ERA and 16-7 record. Hudson has dealt with a plethora of injuries throughout his career and likely wouldn't have much of a role with St. Louis in 2024. 

The Cardinals are looking to add multiple starting pitchers this offseason and have been eyeing a few top-tier free-agent starters. St. Louis is looking to rebuild the rotation and it doesn't sound like Hudson is a part of its plans.