The St. Louis Cardinals made their first offseason roster move on Friday by claiming right-handed pitcher Roddery Munoz off waivers from the Miami Marlins and adding him to their 40-man roster.
Waiver claims typically don’t generate much excitement among fans, and given the current frustrations with the front office, this move has already attracted some criticism. Munoz made his MLB debut this year, appearing in 18 games (17 as a starter) and posting a 6.53 ERA.
His troubling 2.83 home runs per nine innings last season needs significant improvement for him to succeed at the Major League level.
Originally signed by the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent in 2018, Munoz was shuffled between the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates last year before being traded to the Marlins on December 20, 2023.
He was considered an intriguing prospect with the Braves, but due to his still-developing skills, they didn’t want to use a spot on their 40-man roster for him.
Known for his mid-90s fastball and athleticism, Munoz has potential that teams are excited about, though his lack of command may lead him to a bullpen role in the long run. The Marlins had hoped he could show promise as a starter this past season.
With the Cardinals undergoing a reset this year, they can afford to experiment with Munoz’s role, whether as a starter, reliever, or both.
Munoz’s low 90s slider, which resembles a cutter, could be crucial to unlocking his potential. While he possesses electric stuff, command issues will hinder his success unless addressed. If he can harness his fastball/sinker and slider combination,
He could be formidable. His situation is similar to Riley O’Brien’s, where the focus is on betting on raw talent with the hope that he develops.
Marlins’ GM Peter Bendix, who has a background working with Chaim Bloom in Tampa Bay, adds context to this move, especially considering the Cardinals’ trend of small acquisitions linked to Bloom last offseason. Players like O’Brien, Nick Robertson, and Ryan Fernandez had connections to him, as did veteran acquisition Andrew Kittredge.
While I’m not suggesting Munoz will be a breakout star, I won’t dismiss this move outright either. I appreciate that the Cardinals are increasingly willing to take chances on talent, as it can pay off, as seen with Fernandez. Even when it doesn’t, as in O’Brien’s case, the risks are minimal.
For instance, many, myself included, questioned the Cardinals’ decision to keep Michael Siani on their 40-man roster last offseason. He has since proven critics wrong and, while not a superstar, is a valuable asset. Munoz may end up being more like Alfonso Rivas or Buddy Kennedy, but acquiring him for free is worth the gamble.
If the Cardinals face a roster crunch later this offseason, they have the option to waive Munoz themselves. Currently, the Cardinals have 36 players on their 40-man roster following Munoz’s addition, but they will need to protect players like Tink Hence and Tekoah Roby from the Rule 5 Draft soon.
