MLB Free Agency: 3 Pitchers Who Could Replace Chris Carpenter in STL Rotation

With ace Chris Carpenter sidelined indefinitely, the Cardinals need to find a quick replacement to fill his spot in the rotation.  While youngster Lance Lynn has been tabbed as that guy, the Cards should take a quick look at these three free-agent pitchers still looking for a place to call home. 

Roy Oswalt

This is an obvious choice.  Many articles from Bleacher Report to the St. Louis Post Dispatch have been written about why the Cardinals should give Oswalt a look.  The reasons are many, the most obvious being the guy is a winner.  He is a career winning percentage of .631, very similar to Carpenter's .610 career mark.

Another reason it makes sense to sign Oswalt up is his familiarity with the division.  Oswalt spent 9.5 seasons with the Astros and faced all the Cardinals division opponents on multiple occasions.  Oswalt sports a 78-42 record against NL Central opponents, including a 23-3 record against the Cincinnati Reds.

If he would sign a one-year deal and he is healthy, this is a no-brainer option.

Javier Vazquez

Javier Vazquez is a serviceable option to replace Chris Carpenter in the Cardinals rotation.  He fits the cliché' of a grizzled veteran having pitched 14 years in the big leagues.  The former All-Star can be counted on for 200-plus innings each year, 13-15 wins and taking the ball every fifth day. 

There isn't a lot of flash about Vazquez, but he is solid.  He just goes about his business and would be a solid option to replace Carpenter.

Brandon Webb

Brandon Webb.  He is the true mystery of what can be, given his past performance and talent.  While he has been oft-injured and has not pitched in the majors since 2009, Webb appears to be healthy and on the mend. 

If Webb is truly healthy, his sinker could be just what the Cardinals would be looking for to fill Carpenter's spot in the rotation.  Webb know how to pitch and has finished in the top-two in Cy Young voting twice outside the year he took home the coveted award in 2006.

This would be a bit of a gamble for the Cardinals, but certainly worth a look if Webb can regain his old form.