The St. Louis Cardinals have seen several players flourish after leaving the organization, such as Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, and Adolis Garcia. Even Paul Goldschmidt has revitalized his career after moving to the New York Yankees. However, Kyle Gibson’s recent performance showcases a contrasting narrative.
Gibson, who provided durability for the Cardinals last season, started 30 games and logged 169.2 innings with a 4.24 ERA. His contributions, though not elite, were valuable for a team that had a disappointing overall season. This off-season, he signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, a decision made out of necessity as the team faced injury challenges among their pitchers.
Unfortunately, Gibson’s transition to Baltimore has been far from favorable. In just three starts, he has posted an alarming 13.11 ERA, allowing 17 runs on 23 hits over 11.2 innings, including seven home runs and six walks. His season debut was particularly rough, yielding nine runs in just 3.2 innings, punctuated by five home runs. He has yet to complete five innings in any outing, and the Orioles have lost all three games he started.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals have enjoyed improved performance from their rotation, ranking 10th in the majors in ERA and 8th in innings pitched. Steven Matz, who has excelled, has been moved to the bullpen, illustrating the depth the Cardinals have built in their starting pitching staff. The decision to part ways with Gibson aligns with the team’s strategy of retooling, especially considering he is now 37 years old.
Despite Gibson’s struggles, there remains hope that with time, he may find his footing again. The Cardinals, on the other hand, appear to be successfully navigating their transition, indicating a bright future ahead as they continue to develop their pitching talent. This situation serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of player performance in Major League Baseball, where a change of scenery can sometimes lead to unexpected results.