Cardinals’ 5-Year Veteran Draws Interest From Astros

The St. Louis Cardinals enter the offseason with reason to believe their rebuilding process is beginning to pay off.

Though they missed the playoffs this season, the organization has identified several young players who could form the foundation of its next competitive team. Now, the front office faces another challenge: continuing to develop that talent while making decisions that could shape the club's direction for years to come.

"The Cardinals overachieved in a rebuilding year and also learned who some of their long-term pieces are, from JJ Wetherholt to Jordan Walker to Joshua Baez to Leo Bernal," Will Leitch wrote for MLB.com . "This team will be contending, and likely soon. This offseason provides a fascinating opportunity, then."

While much of the attention will center on roster upgrades and player development, the Cardinals could also face an important question about its leadership group. One member of the organization's front office who is also a veteran of the team's pitching staff has reportedly attracted interest from a team looking to fill its own key executive position.

St Louis Cardinals Veteran Draws Houston Astros Interest

Cardinals assistant general manager Randy Flores is among the candidates who have drawn serious interest from the Houston Astros as they search for a new general manager.

"Longtime Milwaukee Brewers executive Matt Kleine, Chicago White Sox assistant general manager Josh Barfield, Kansas City Royals senior vice president Scott Sharp, Atlanta Braves assistant general manager Ben Sestanovich and St. Louis Cardinals assistant general manager Randy Flores are among the candidates who have drawn serious interest from the Astros," according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome .

Flores has a history with the Cardinals that extends beyond his current front-office role. The former southpaw pitched for the Cardinals from 2004 to 2008, winning a World Series with the team in 2006.

"Flores played in parts of eight major league seasons from 2002-10," Steve Adams wrote for MLB Trade Rumors . "The former ninth-round pick had a few strong seasons as a left-handed reliever, primarily for the same Cardinals that now employ him as an executive."

What St Louis Cardinals World Series Champion's Potential Houston Astros Move Could Mean

Flores' experience as both a former player and an executive should make him an appealing candidate for Houston. The Astros are seeking leadership for their baseball operations department, while Flores has been involved in the Cardinals' efforts to build a younger roster.

For St. Louis, losing an executive would potentially create another transition during a consequential phase of its rebuild. The organization has made progress identifying young players to build around, and its next steps will require continued evaluation of talent, player acquisition and long-term planning.

There is no indication in the cited report that Flores has been hired by Houston. His candidacy does, however, put the Cardinals' front office in the spotlight at a time when the franchise is trying to turn encouraging signs into sustained contention.