The Cardinals are “available in the market” for a setup reliever who can assist exchange right-hander Andrew Kittredge close to the again of their bullpen after he hit free company again in November, in response to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Publish-Dispatch.
It’s not essentially stunning that the Cardinals would have curiosity in including to their bullpen. Except for the void left by Kittredge within the late innings, nearer Ryan Helsley has discovered his title within the rumor mill ceaselessly this winter. Whereas all indicators level to the membership preserving him within the fold for at the least the beginning of the 2025 season, the addition of a veteran reliever with expertise within the late innings might present cowl for St. Louis that will enable them to extra critically weigh dealing Helsley within the occasion that they obtain the kind of overwhelming provide that will compel them to rethink their stance. Whereas the lack of Helsley could be a tricky blow for the membership’s bullpen no matter what pitcher (or pitchers) they add to their reduction corps this winter, it will actually be simpler for the Playing cards to aim to remain aggressive in 2025 with out Helsley within the fold if they’ve an skilled veteran who might step into the nearer’s position in Helsley’s stead.
The extra possible situation, after all, is that the membership will keep on with its obvious plan to retain Helsley headed into the season. Even in that case, nevertheless, it’s simple to see why the membership would need to bolster its bullpen as a option to hold Helsley firmly in his present position because the membership’s nearer. 2024 was the primary yr of Helsley’s profession the place he was utilized solely within the ninth inning or later, and he responded with a 206 ERA+ and an MLB-best 49 saves. Goold means that the regular presence of Kittredge, who posted a 2.80 ERA and picked up 37 holds with the Cardinals final yr, was a key a part of the rationale the Cardinals had been capable of be extra even handed of their deployment of Helsley compared to years’ previous.
As a lot sense because it might make for the Cardinals so as to add at the least one veteran reliever to their bullpen this winter, it’s a path that isn’t with out obstacles. It’s been made abundantly clear by numerous studies and even president of baseball operations John Mozeliak’s feedback this winter that decreasing payroll is a precedence for St. Louis this winter. The obvious manner to try this, and the Cardinals’ clear desire, is to discover a commerce companion for Nolan Arenado. Latest reporting has instructed a quiet marketplace for Arenado ever since a possible take care of the Astros final month fell by, nevertheless, and for his half Goold signifies that the Cardinals could also be greatest served ready out fellow third baseman Alex Bregman’s market given the potential for overlapping suitors between the 2 infielders.
With no public indications that Bregman is very near signing, that might imply the Cardinals might want to watch for fairly a while earlier than they will critically think about including extra payroll of actual significance. Happily for St. Louis, the reduction market has been very sluggish transferring this winter with Aroldis Chapman, Blake Treinen, and Yimi García standing out as the one gamers to signal for greater than $10MM up to now in that nook of the market. Whether or not the Cardinals could be concerned about enjoying in that mid-tier of the reduction market will certainly rely on how a lot (if any) of Arenado’s contract they handle to maneuver, in addition to whether or not or not they half methods with hurlers like Steven Matz and Erick Fedde this winter after each starters garnered curiosity earlier this winter. Even when Matz or Fedde is moved, Goold means that the membership might think about circling again to veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson somewhat than signing a pricier reduction arm like David Robertson.
Given the sluggish tempo of the reduction market this winter, the Cardinals ought to nonetheless have a superb quantity of flexibility to make an addition to their bullpen at any time when their payroll scenario is correctly resolved. Goold speculatively suggests former Rangers righty José Leclerc as a possible match for the Playing cards, and gamers like Kyle Finnegan, Chris Martin, and Paul Sewald are amongst a handful of different choices for late-inning veterans who might feasibly be had on one-year offers—as is a reunion with Kittredge himself. Every of these choices will certainly safe a fairly wholesome huge league assure, nevertheless, and if the Cardinals discover themselves unable to maneuver any of their expensive veterans on the commerce promote it’s doable they gained’t have curiosity in including that kind of wage. In that case, Héctor Neris, Scott Barlow, and Joe Kelly are a handful of the veteran relievers with late-inning expertise coming off tough seasons in 2024 who may very well be obtainable for a membership on a decent finances like St. Louis.
