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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 2: Pitcher Dustin May #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals sits on the bench after being hit by a batted ball in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 2, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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Two St. Louis Cardinals pitchers may be on the wish lists of Major League Baseball teams still in contention for the playoffs.
Right-handers Dustin May, and Ryne Stanek are pitching on expiring contracts. Both can become free agents at the end of the World Series.
As noted by baseballreference.com, Dustin May, 28, is in the starting rotation. Stanek, 35, pitches in relief.
May would be a major prize for a contending team.
Stanek would offer help in high leverage, late inning situations, or he could assume a role as a starter. Stanek has started 56 games in his 10 year career.
Redbirdrants.com recently wrote about May and Stanek.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
About St. Louis Cardinals Dustin May:
Dustin May is 6-6, 180 pounds.
The big righty with flaming red hair and a long, bushy beard was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 3rd round of the 2016 MLB draft.
May was selected from Northwest High, in Justin, Texas.
As noted by truebluela.com, with MLB’s $590,800 slot bonus for that pick, the Dodgers gave May a $1 Million signing bonus.
One of the primary reasons for May’s hefty bonus was his 93-94 MPH fastball, which was pretty special for a high school pitcher
May is pitching on a 1-year, $12.5 Million contract. If he’s traded, his new team will be responsible for the final two months of the contract.
May’s last start was a no-decision in a Cardinals extra-innings victory over the Chicago Cubs July 29, 2025.
May is not scheduled to start again prior to the August 3 trade deadline.
May made his MLB debut with the Dodgers August 2, 2019.
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 30: Dustin May #85 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after the last out during the top of the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park on August 30, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
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May made 52 starts with the Dodgers, before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in July 2025.
The St.Louis Cardinals signed May as a free agent December 17, 2025.
If he’s traded, May will leave St. Louis with a 5-7 record, a 4.38 ERA, and a 1.28 WHIP in 21 starts, covering 109 innings.
May has a lifetime record of 24-27, with a 3.99 ERA, and a 1.22 WHIP in 78 career starts, covering 433 innings.
May brings a complete repertoire to the mound.
May throws a 96.3 four-seam fastball, a 96.80 MPH sinker, a 90.34 MPH changeup, a slider at 86.34 MPH, a curve at 84.12 MPH, and a cutter at 93.61 MPH.
May is skilled at changing the eye level, and altering the balance of the hitter by mixing and matching this arsenal.
May is deceptive, because the hitter never knows what to look for from among May’s vast menu of pitches.
May uses his four-seam fastball 27.19% of the time, his sinker 19.30%, his cutter 22.59%, his curve 5.92%, his slider 18.86%, and his changeup 6.14% of the time.
An attractive starting pitching option, May may attract a number of trade inquires as the trade deadline looms.
ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 20: Ryne Stanek #55 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Monday, July 20, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Tony Macon/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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About St. Louis Cardinals Ryne Stanek:
Relief pitchers are growing more critical to major league teams.
The St. Louis Cardinals Ryne Stanek is a big, strong 6-4, 228 pitcher with 10 years of MLB experience.
In the 3rd round of the 2010 MLB draft, Stanek was chosen by the Seattle Mariners out of Blue Valley High School in Stilwell, Kansas.
Stanek turned down an $80,000 signing bonus to attend University of Arkansas.
After a terrific collegiate career, Stanek was chosen by the Tampa Bay Rays with the 29th pick in the 1st round of the 2113 MLB draft.
Stanek signed with the Rays for $1,758,300.
The Rays traded Stanek to the Miami Marlins in July 2019.
Stanek has pitched for the Rays, the Marlins, the Astros, the Mariners, the Mets, and now the Cardinals.
Stanek is in his first year with the Cardinals, pitching on a 1-year, $3.5 Million expiring contract.
The Cardinals hold an option for the 2027 season.
This season, Stanek has a 2-2 record, a 4.25 ERA, and a 1.44 WHIP in 47 relief appearances for St. Louis.
St. Louis Cardinals' Ryne Stanek reacts after pitching during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, July 30, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Stanek offers experience as a reliever, and brooksbaseball.net notes a 97.44 miles per hour fastball, an 87.93 miles per hour slider, and a 89.48 MPH split.
With Dustin May the prize, the St. Louis Cardinals have two solid pitching options who could be made available at the trade deadline.
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