The Cardinals have made one big addition to the pitching staff this offseason, signing starter Steven Matz to a four-year deal. They’ve not done much to address the bullpen yet, though, with the re-signing of T.J. McFarland the only big league move in the later innings.
Adding to the bullpen figures to be a priority for the St. Louis front office coming out of the lockout. As part of a reader mailbag, Katie Woo of the Athletic writes that the Cardinals are likely to pursue free agent relief help on major league contracts once the transactions freeze is lifted.
As is the case every offseason, there are a decent number of bullpen options in free agency from which to choose. Raisel Iglesias and Kendall Graveman, arguably the top relievers available this winter, have already signed. Each landed a deal of at least three years in length, and Woo suggests the Cardinals are likely to look into one-year or two-year offers.
Kenley Jansen, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin, Joe Kelly and Collin McHugh are among the top unsigned relievers. The Cardinals are plenty familiar with Kelly, a former Cards’ draftee who spent his first two and a half MLB seasons in St. Louis. Meanwhile, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote last month that the Cardinals were “intrigued” by Tepera, who has been quietly excellent over the past couple seasons with the two Chicago clubs.
Adding some veteran stability to the bullpen could allow the Cards more freedom with in-house options like Alex Reyes, Jordan Hicks and Génesis Cabrera. All three have worked in relief over the past few seasons, but the front office has seemingly left the door open for each to compete for a rotation spot (or at least a hybrid, swingman type role) in 2022. Some or all of that trio will eventually remain in a single-inning role, but bringing in an established veteran capable of working alongside Giovanny Gallegos in high-leverage spots could ease the pressure to have Reyes, Hicks and Cabrera all available in the late innings.
In other potential areas for an upgrade, Woo suggests the front office could look externally for some offensive help if the designated hitter comes to the National League in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement. As things currently stand, Juan Yepez and Lars Nootbaar might be the favorites for DH playing time among the in-house options, at least until top prospect Nolan Gorman is ready for everyday MLB run.
Nelson Cruz is the top bat-only free agent available, but St. Louis could address the position by adding a bat-first utilityman capable of rotating through DH and other positions on the diamond. Speculatively speaking, old friend Brad Miller — or another player of his ilk — could be a viable target. An offensive-minded utilityman could assume a good chunk of the DH at-bats early in the season while retaining enough flexibility to contribute in other ways if Gorman, Nootbaar or Yepez prove worthy of everyday playing time.
Still nothing on andres melendez…
So what’s you’re point? He just passed away yesterday, and the cause of death has not been announced. Be patient. I’m sure MLBTR will post something as soon as they have more facts.
I remember when tyler skaggs died and they waited for the cause of death to report it…
I know- more prominent player but thats not the reason.
Poor kid…only 20 years old with a bright future. Regardless of the cause, it’s a very sad story.
Wreck in DR?
and? this happens at least once every year or two. this site does not cover all such deaths.
Both of my brothers died ‘suddenly at 26 and 28…. Fentynal
all i know is, no one knows the truth.
Cardinals need more starter depth, imo. Matz helps, but they seem to be counting on too many pitchers with recent injury histories. Mikolas, Flaherty, Kim, Hudson even Reyes couldn’t stay healthy when he started games.
They need to replace Garcia in the pen if they end up losing him, but outside of adding a potential DH bat, seem pretty well set at the 8 fielding positions. This team is the best defensive team in baseball and it’s not close. That alone will make them a serious contender and dangerous team all season long.
He signed with padres tho the deal wasn’t annouced
They have plenty of help, question is who fills what roles, and can they do it at a premium level? I still expect them to sign a arm to replace Garcia at the back end. That was a valuable 7th 8th inning arm down the stretch for the Cardinals
As a Cubs fan whose team will be out of contention in the forthcoming seasons, all I can say to the Cards fans is that Tepera is their man. He is able to take the ball in the 5th inning and beyond, capable to go at least three innings, and close games if needed and should be a lot cheaper than Jensen or Iglesias. But if they find a way (which I think is very possible) to sign Tepera and one of Iglesias and Jensen, they should run with the NL Central if Brewers doesn’t improve their lineup, which I think they will (Kyle Schwarber?). A very interesting two teams race. I was at a private party in Yadi Molina’s home (what a great host he was). Wayno was there with his family (great, great guy). That guy went to sleep very early, party was just starting. I heard from one of Yadi’s brothers that he (Wayno) always has a very strict offseason regime for eating, sleeping, gym, etc. That is one reason that makes him ageless. They (Cards) can count on him for another full season with very good numbers. In the meanwhile, Cubs fans, we should enjoy a season, trying to finish over .500, and watching the White Sucks fall, which they would. If this year they don’t win it all, their window will close earlier than they expected.
Get in line, St. Louis. At least 20 teams need additions to their bullpen. Boston will be very aggressive in this market as well.
Not sure what to expect from Jordan Hicks. I would assume his innings woll be limited. Seems like a couple of bullpen arms were really wearing down toward the end of the season. I am sure a lot of teams’ bullpen experience fatigue at the end of the season, not just the Cards. They need to win the division to control their own destiny and not have to fight for a wild card spot. Easier said than done I know. GO CARDS!!!!
Even though the downside is having to pretty much revamp a bullpen every year, I can completely understand sticking with 1 or 2 year contracts for relievers. Such a volatile, unpredictable group… Outside of a few, PRECIOUS few guys, there’s virtually no way to accurately predict who will be effective year to year.
I really can’t think of another slot in MLB where past performance holds so little guarantee for the future.
The Cardinals could use a lot fo bullpen help. A could extra rakes, a tamp, a better water cooler. I’m glad they organization is making this a priority.
This is what all those Champaign baths in the 1990’s did for the world folks, right here on MLBTR, THE PROOF of what winning 14 straight NL east titles will do. Create a illegitimate kid
Mo will probably try to lowball the bullpen with questionable signings. For once I wouldn’t blame him. Their free agents of recent years have been disappointing at best.
Archie Bradley at 2y/14-16m total? Has closing experience and is from Oklahoma.
They should trade for Kimbrel to be their closer. The Sox need a 2B so send them Paul Dejong. They don’t need him with Sosa and Edmund.
I really have been trying to think of how much uninterrupted laughter there would be on the White Sox end if the Cardinals called and said “hey we will give you Dejong for Kimbrel.” For me it was 90 seconds just after reading your comment. Thanks for the laugh.
you do realize DeJong was a 1.6 WAR player even in a terrible year right? He’s a 3ish WAR SS if he hits close to .250. I’m not sure that I would trade him for an 11 million dollar relief pitcher that had an ERA of over 5 to close out the year at 33 years old.
1.6 WAR for a starting SS is pretty bad though. But I wouldn’t trade him for such a reliever either.
Kenley Jansen could be interesting in St.Louis
STLs is placing their hopes on a rotation consisting of a 40 y/o ace, an oft-injured supporting cast and the rookie Matthew Liberatore…. A genuine “House of Cards”.
STL has a possible DH in MiLB in Juan Yepez that I believe they may try before acquiring a DH.
How about addressing the SS area. Sosa and DeSucks ain’t the answer.
And of course their priorities are out of whack. They need a real top of the rotation starter to pair with Flahearty, but those cost money. They need a serious bat they can slot at 2 or 5 that can man SS (or 2B) but those cost money. They’re fine in the bullpen.
They need lefty bullpen help to be specific. Hard to figure bullpen arms they are up one year and down the next..
We love majestic 480 ft tape measure shots but Pitching wins championships! It’s that Simple. The Cards have a defense that can make a 0.0 war pitcher into a 3 or 4 war pitcher, for a year or two.That work a out of the pen!
Wrong, MLBTR on Brad Miller; there’s another utility man available., better glove, about same with the bat, and he switches instead of being straight left. I’ll have a blog post up the end of this week.