7 Cardinals who are now free agents ft. Paul Goldschmidt, Lance Lynn

Now that free agency is officially underway, the St. Louis Cardinals have lost a few players. Whether by choice (declined option, non-tendered contract, etc.) or because the players' deals simply expiring, seven additional athletes are now available to any team.

While the Cardinals can re-sign any of these players, for now, they are on the open market.

Cardinals who have entered free agency

7) DH Matt Carpenter

Matt Carpenter is available (Image credit: Imagn)

Matt Carpenter's short contract expired, making him a free agent. Even though he recorded 137 at-bats, he did not have a good year, hitting .234 with four home runs, ending with a -0.1 bWAR.

6) RHP Kyle Gibson

Kyle Gibson had his option declined (Image credit: Imagn)

The Cardinals declined Kyle Gibson's 2025 club option, making him a free agent. After a bit of a mediocre year, the team possibly wants to reset its pitching staff. Gibson ended 2024 with an 8-8 record and a 4.24 ERA in 30 starts, but it wasn't enough to warrant keeping him around.

5) 1B Paul Goldschmidt

Paul Goldschmidt is a free agent (Image credit: Imagn)

Paul Goldschmidt's five-year contract with the Cardinals expired, bringing an end to an era. The 2022 MVP is now a free agent after a relatively down year: .245 average, 22 home runs, 1.3 bWAR and a 98 OPS+.

4) RHP Andrew Kittredge

Andrew Kittredge is available (Image credit: Imagn)

Andrew Kittredge's contract ended after the 2024 season. He was a solid reliever for the Cardinals, pitching to the tune of a 5-5 record, 1.5 bWAR, a 2.80 ERA, one save and 67 strikeouts in 70.2 innings.

3) RHP Adam Kloffenstein

Adam Kloffenstein (left) was non-tendered (Image credit: Imagn)

Kloffenstein was non-tendered by the team and became a free agent. Initially playing for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds in the minors, the pitcher was added to the 40-man roster in June to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, but he did not make an appearance in the regular season.

2) RHP Lance Lynn

Lance Lynn had his option declined (Image credit: Imagn)

Lance Lynn is a free agent after the team declined his club option. He could have been on the roster for another season, but the Cardinals decided to move on despite his decent year. In 23 starts, Lynn posted a 3.84 ERA and went 7-4. He also had 109 strikeouts in 117.1 innings.

1) RHP Keynan Middleton

Keynan Middleton had his option declined (Image credit: Imagn)

The team also declined Keynan Middleton's club option. He is probably the most impactful loss, at least in terms of bWAR. His 2.5 value is good and the highest among these outgoing free agents. In Feb., he signed a one-year deal but underwent surgery for his flexor tendon in June. Now he enters free agency and is potentially looking for a new home.