This season didn’t go like most seasons. The Cardinals were terrible. I stopped writing here very much, with nothing after the blog anniversary. However, some things must go on and that includes the Exit Interview series! Now in its 12th year, it’s our look back at each player that made an appearance in a game for the St. Louis Cardinals. We’re approaching it a little different this season, a little more literary and a little less statistical, but hopefully you enjoy it just the same. As always, I am grateful that cardinalsgifs has agreed to use his talent for the header image!
Player: Andrew Suarez
Stats: 0-0, 13 G, 27.2 IP, 33 H, 7 HR, 15 BB, 17 K, 7.16 ERA, 6.94 FIP, 1.735 WHIP, -0.6 bWAR
Statcast: 8.2% barrel, 29.6% sweet spot, 111.4 max exit velocity, .392 wOBA, .365 xwOBA, 13.1% K, 11.5% BB
Grade: D
Over the winter, the Cardinals signed Suarez and traded cash for Anthony Misiewicz within a couple of days of each other. The goal seemed to be trying them both out and seeing which one worked the best. Suarez won the spring training competition and Misiewicz was sold to the Diamondbacks around the time the team broke camp.
Even with these numbers, it appears that the Cardinals made the right decision. Misiewicz appeared in the majors with three teams in 2023, Arizona, Detroit, and the Yankees, but only got 11 innings and few of them were of any quality. I doubt that the Diamondbacks give him a NL Champions ring for his eight innings of 5.63 ERA, but I guess it’s possible. Anyway, Suarez spent most of the year in Memphis, where he was passable (4.08 ERA, 69 nice strikeouts in 64 innings). He struggled in the bigs after getting promoted at the end of July, however. He only had three appearances where he wasn’t scored upon and twice he allowed five runs, though neither time were all of them earned.
There really wasn’t much Suarez had to offer except a left arm and the ability to soak up some innings when required. The only game the Cardinals won where he appeared was his first against Arizona, when he entered an 11-4 game in the eighth and made it 11-7 before he was through. The only time he appeared in a close game was September 2 against Pittsburgh, where he got the last out in a 7-6 game. Otherwise, he was bullpen filler and easily replaced.
What’s in store for 2024: Suarez was outrighted to Memphis, so he’s off the 40-man roster but remains in the organization. I assume he’ll pitch in Memphis until they need a roster spot there. It would be surprising if he got another shot in St. Louis but I guess you never rule out a lefty.
