Miles Mikolas has been a fixture in the St. Louis Cardinals’ rotation since joining the team in 2018. Over that span, he earned All-Star honors twice, first in 2018 and again in 2022, while establishing himself as a reliable presence on the mound.
In recent years, however, Mikolas has struggled to maintain that same level of performance. Through 26 starts this season, he has a 6–10 record with a 5.04 ERA across 130.1 innings. Those numbers have raised questions about his future with the Cardinals as he approaches free agency.
According to Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly, it’s likely Mikolas will move on this offseason. Kelly noted that while the veteran has provided durability by consistently eating innings, his production hasn’t matched the value of his three-year, $55.75 million contract. At 37 years old, a continuation of his career may have to come with another organization.
Several teams in need of experienced pitching could emerge as suitors. The Texas Rangers may be in the market, with multiple starters, including Jon Gray and Tyler Mahle, approaching free agency. Similarly, the Detroit Tigers could be an option, as they face possible departures of Jack Flaherty, Matthew Boyd, and Chris Paddack.
For Mikolas, free agency represents both uncertainty and opportunity. While his days in St. Louis may be winding down, his ability to provide stability to a rotation ensures he will likely draw interest from clubs looking for veteran depth.
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