It’s long been understood that the top priority for the Cardinals this offseason is adding to their starting rotation, with president of baseball operations John Mozeliak himself stating that the club intends to at three starting pitchers this winter. Even as the club’s focus seems to be on bolstering the rotation, however, The Athletic’s Katie Woo indicated today that the club plans to make additions to its relief corps as well, noting that the club plans to add “at least two high-leverage arms” who can join Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos in the club’s late-inning mix.
The news isn’t necessarily surprising. Cardinals relievers posted an uninspiring 4.47 ERA across their 579 2/3 innings covered in 2023, the third-worst figure in the NL above only the Nationals and Rockies. Only the Rangers’ relief corps had a higher ERA than the Cardinals this year when looking at teams that finished the season with a winning record, and just four (Texas, Cincinnati, Miami, and Arizona) even finished in the bottom half of the league. Given St. Louis has clearly indicated a desire to return to contention as soon as next season, shoring up the club’s bullpen mix figures to be a key component of that goal.
The Cardinals have already been connected to one upcoming relief free agent: NPB left-hander Yuki Matsui, who is expected to explore signing in the majors this offseason. While fellow southpaw JoJo Romero impressed in high leverage opportunities following the trade deadline, it would certainly reasonable if the Cardinals don’t want to anoint Romero as their bullpen’s top lefty after just 36 2/3 innings of work in the majors last year, no matter how brilliant he appeared to be in flashes.
Of course, Matsui isn’t the only left-handed relief option headed for free agency this offseason. The class is led by star closer Josh Hader, who authored a sensational platform season with the Padres in 2023. Hader struck out 36.8% of batters faced this season en route to a 1.28 ERA (321 ERA+), 2.69 FIP and 33 saves in 38 chances. Other potential high-leverage left-handers set to hit the market this offseason are veteran fireballer Aroldis Chapman and journeyman Matt Moore, who’s broken out over the past two seasons to become one of the top lefty relievers in the sport during his mid-thirties.
In terms of right-handed relief options, the market is a little thinner, headlined by former Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks. The Cardinals dealt Hicks to the Blue Jays at the trade deadline this year, though not before attempting to negotiate an extension with the 27-year-old hurler. Woo reports that the sides came close to an agreement on a three-year extension this summer before talks ultimately fell apart, prompting St. Louis to ship Hicks to Toronto.
Despite the sides parting back in July, Woo indicates that there’s reason to believe the sides could again look to negotiate a long-term deal this offseason, noting that “there’s no ruling out” a Cardinals reunion with either Hicks or left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery, who has impressed since joining the Rangers with a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts down the stretch and a 2.90 ERA in 31 innings of work during the club’s pennant-winning postseason run. If the Cardinals can’t get together with Hicks on a reunion, there are a few other right-handed relief options who could offer high leverage innings in 2023, including Braves righty Joe Jimenez as well as Reynaldo Lopez, who put up solid numbers while bouncing between the White Sox, Angels, and Guardians in 2023.
Gimme hader and Phil Maton.
You’ll get Boxburger and Bush and be happy.
I like that it goes without saying that the Cardinals will have to pursue this in Free Agency because any trade attempts suggested by the Front Office or Fans amount to peak Billy Wagner in exchange for a bobblehead from Yadier Molina’s last home game
Your stars for our scrubs
Great deal, man
You add “payroll flexibilty” by shedding big contracts
We take on your financial burdens
Win/Win
Everyone knew the Cardinals needed pitching; announcing it to the world just drives up the prices of player agents.
Cardinals needed pitching since last offseason, it’s only become a greater need now headed into 2024. White Sox should dangle Dylan Cease, not like that team is going to be competitive in 2024…
Not really. Prices are going up because everyone needs pitching, whether they say it or not.
Uh no lol. Once they start talking to fa relievers about deals its gonna be clear that this is a need regardless of whether they acknowledge it before or not my dude.
It was already a need. That’s why they’d be talking to FA pitchers.
Acknowledging the obvious has changed neither the demand for or supply of pitching available.
With starters going fewer and fewer innings, you have to have a reliable bullpen. Now more than ever in MLB. Spend or trade for 2 or even 3 relievers. At least Mo is finally recognizing this team’s weakness. Let’s see if he backs up what he is saying.
I’d say starters usage has pretty much hit bottom. The upper threshold is pretty well entrenched around the 100 pitch mark. The lower limit aside from a shellaking or injury is 2 times through the lineup. I don’t see it deviating to far from there other then when teams resort to an opener and have a bullpen day.
As far as bullpen days, I’m not a fan of them on a regular basis. But if team is in a pinch for a spot start and bullpen has got a lot of use recently, there’s a mutual benefit there for the team.
Every team is looking to upgrade their bullpen. What a non-story.
Exactly, between this writer and the goofball writer from Belleville always stating the obvious to make a non story
*evert team except the A’s*
We are happy to trade Bryce Miller and a reliever like Topa or Speier……… whatcha willin to give up? 😉
Like that other guy said, we’ve got a bobblehead from Yadi’s last home game :p
Take your pick, as long as their last names aren’t Arenado, Walker, Donavan, or Nootbaar.
Gorman is likely to be more of a contributor to the Cards’ future (if they keep him long-term) than all the players you listed. He’s just getting started, already led the team in HR in his 2nd season, the first time he was really given a chance to grow and adjust. Walker has a very high ceiling too, but I’m still waiting to see if he can turn his huge body into serious power numbers.
Gorman is the one player they have I would not consider trading, but that’s just me.
Need solid help out of the pen? Inquire about Mauricio Llovera.
Llovera stats don’t exactly scream out at you. Why do you think he is good, something we don’t know?
They do realize “adding” Montgomery and Hicks is not an upgrade over last year, right?
It isn’t? In a vacuum, any team would improve adding those two.
I assume he means because they were on the team last year.
Is this Nick Deeds, the author of the article? Or is this a coincidence?
Montgomery was certainly worth trading for from the Yankees and his stock has only improved with the playoffs. Mo might have to spend some money this offseason on either relievers or starters.
Mo & Co will have to spend much more than they are willing to, to get the kind of the quality they act like they will pursue. Mo talks a big game until it’s time to put Bill’s money where Mo’s mouth is. I’ll be happy and surprised if they actually land one stud starter and reliever.
If they sign three starters it’ll be along the lines of Miley, Carrasco and Hill. Then we will get to hear how Mikolas is a top of the rotation starter and these three are placeholders while they wait for the extremely deep farm system to develope.
That’s the old Mo, low-hanging fruit types. We are all sure the new, improved Mo will only get top of the line pitchers. That’s what all the words I see printed indicate. Just got to check back 5 times a day to see what is happening.
Plans are one thing. Execution is another.
At least some teams seem to have plans, at least.
The news is certainly not surprising. What will be surprising is if they actually do it. They’ve said they want to sign 3 starting pitchers and now 2 relief pitchers. It will take well over $100 million/season to sign even two impact pitchers and three serviceable pitchers. I say no chance the Cardinals do that. They will sign 3 reclamation projects at SP and probably the same RP. I’m a Cards fan, but I have no faith in them actually anything noteworthy.
And I like most other Cardinal’s fans, I live in reality and realize what they have to give in trades will not bring back impact pitching.
I believe you could be right. History supports you. In the meantime, we can wish and hope for that kind of expenditure. Trades might help us keep the cost down a bit, so long as we don’t give up our top 5 offense.
Sign starters then trade for relievers without subtracting from the current lineup.
Don’t want to take anything for granted, but when you sign one arm there’s usually a second arm that comes with it.
That’s why it costs so much. Damn, who knew?
All this talk sounds like the Cardinals are ramping up for a World Series run. Now for actions to match the verbage. No more low hanging fruit.
screw relievers, give me some starters.
Do you think a team would ever commit to zero actual starters and just throw relief type arms all the time? A guy throws once thru the lineup, then swap to the next guy. Use 3 guys on a given day, then use 3 diff guys the next.
I think it’s possible (at some point in the future) for a team to attempt what you asked. If that ever happens, all eyes will be on them to see how effectively it works, especially over the course of a looong season. MLB prefers traditional roles/recipes and tries to avoid drastic changes, which is why we still don’t have an automated K-zone (even though millions of fans wanted to see it happen yesterday) but I do not doubt your proposal could happen… when, I could not tell you.
MLB is trying to cut the possibility of that odd at the pass. They already limited pitchers on the roster down to 13 and are talking about 12. They have limited how many times you can call up and send down players to limit yoyoing minor league pitchers to fill out the roster after bullpen games.
Manfred’s stated goal is to get teams to throw their starters longer in games. Its not going to work. We saw 30% more pitching injuries in 2023 than ever before and it’s just going to get worse.
3 starters. At least 2 relievers. Cardinals plan to corner the market on pitching.
They should also plan on being outbid often, if they really plan on targeting quality talent. Let us not forget, Mo & Co said they were “ALL IN” before last season started. We all saw how that turned out, so I don’t think any of us should expect much from them. To acquire the number of qualify arms they say they’re after will require a true “all in” approach, which will take the team’s salary to an unprecedented, “uncomfortable” level I just can’t see happening.
Yep, I expect what you are saying to be what happens. Imagine my joy when they actually do go ‘All In’. My all In and Cardinals All In are not the same.
Bandaid on a bullet hole. I owe stl because I placed a large pre-season bet they would finish last in the NL central. This organization has obvious massive developmental and leadership issues and a sweeping system wide teardown is needed. The very foundation of the organization needs to be rebuilt.