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Cardinals “In The Market” For Late-Inning Relief Help

By Nick Deeds | January 4, 2025 at 6:50pm CDT

The Cardinals are “in the market” for a setup reliever who can help replace right-hander Andrew Kittredge near the back of their bullpen after he hit free agency back in November, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

It’s not necessarily surprising that the Cardinals would have interest in adding to their bullpen. Aside from the void left by Kittredge in the late innings, closer Ryan Helsley has found his name in the rumor mill frequently this winter. While all signs point to the club keeping him in the fold for at least the start of the 2025 season, the addition of a veteran reliever with experience in the late innings could provide cover for St. Louis that would allow them to more seriously weigh dealing Helsley in the event that they receive the sort of overwhelming offer that would compel them to reconsider their stance. While the loss of Helsley would be a tough blow for the club’s bullpen regardless of what pitcher (or pitchers) they add to their relief corps this winter, it would certainly be easier for the Cards to attempt to stay competitive in 2025 without Helsley in the fold if they have an experienced veteran who could step into the closer’s role in Helsley’s stead.

The more likely scenario, of course, is that the club will stick with its apparent plan to retain Helsley headed into the season. Even in that case, however, it’s easy to see why the club would want to bolster its bullpen as a way to keep Helsley firmly in his current role as the club’s closer. 2024 was the first year of Helsley’s career where he was utilized exclusively in the ninth inning or later, and he responded with a 206 ERA+ and an MLB-best 49 saves. Goold suggests that the steady presence of Kittredge, who posted a 2.80 ERA and collected 37 holds with the Cardinals last year, was a key part of the reason the Cardinals were able to be more judicious in their deployment of Helsley in comparison to years’ past.

As much sense as it could make for the Cardinals to add at least one veteran reliever to their bullpen this winter, it’s a path that isn’t without obstacles. It’s been made abundantly clear through a number of reports and even president of baseball operations John Mozeliak’s comments this winter that lowering payroll is a priority for St. Louis this winter. The most obvious way to do that, and the Cardinals’ clear preference, is to find a trade partner for Nolan Arenado. Recent reporting has suggested a quiet market for Arenado ever since a potential deal with the Astros last month fell through, however, and for his part Goold indicates that the Cardinals may be best served waiting out fellow third baseman Alex Bregman’s market given the potential for overlapping suitors between the two infielders.

With no public indications that Bregman is especially close to signing, that could mean the Cardinals will need to wait for quite some time before they can seriously consider adding more payroll of real significance. Fortunately for St. Louis, the relief market has been very slow moving this winter with Aroldis Chapman, Blake Treinen, and Yimi García standing out as the only players to sign for more than $10MM to this point in that corner of the market. Whether the Cardinals would be interested in playing in that mid-tier of the relief market will surely depend on how much (if any) of Arenado’s contract they manage to move, as well as whether or not they part ways with hurlers like Steven Matz and Erick Fedde this winter after both starters garnered interest earlier this winter. Even if Matz or Fedde is moved, Goold suggests that the club could consider circling back to veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson rather than signing a pricier relief arm like David Robertson.

Given the slow pace of the relief market this winter, the Cardinals should still have a good amount of flexibility to make an addition to their bullpen whenever their payroll situation is properly resolved. Goold speculatively suggests former Rangers righty José Leclerc as a potential fit for the Cards, and players like Kyle Finnegan, Chris Martin, and Paul Sewald are among a handful of other options for late-inning veterans who could feasibly be had on one-year deals—as is a reunion with Kittredge himself. Each of those options will surely secure a reasonably healthy big league guarantee, however, and if the Cardinals find themselves unable to move any of their pricey veterans on the trade market it’s possible they won’t have interest in adding that sort of salary. In that case, Héctor Neris, Scott Barlow, and Joe Kelly are a handful of the veteran relievers with late-inning experience coming off difficult seasons in 2024 who could be available for a club on a tight budget like St. Louis.

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100 Comments

  1. Cincyfan85

    5 months ago

    Paul Sewald feels like a Cardinal.

    4
    Reply
    • Acoss1331

      5 months ago

      Clean cut, good face!

      Reply
      • Superstar Prospect Wander Javier

        5 months ago

        and some subtle racism

        4
        Reply
        • laynestaley2002

          5 months ago

          Congratulations on posting the most ridiculous comment so far this year. You should be real proud.

          2
          Reply
      • Rsox

        5 months ago

        But does he have an ugly girlfriend?

        2
        Reply
        • Acoss1331

          5 months ago

          Rsox,

          Well, ugly girlfriend means no confidence…

          2
          Reply
      • JimC

        5 months ago

        Who’s Fabio?

        2
        Reply
    • LaFleur

      5 months ago

      Cue Johnny Cueto kicking, no stomping with his spikes former Reds player Jason LaRue in the head ending his career

      2
      Reply
    • 17dizzy

      5 months ago

      Trust me!
      John Mozeliak isn’t going to make any trades or acquisitions that will benefit the Cardinals on the last year of his contract in 2025.

      Inspite of the good Mozeliak did early in his career —- he will go down in Cardinals History as the “Most Hated leader of the Cardinals Front Office.

      At this point, Mozeliak will be remembered
      for his lack of effort to build a championship ball team, over the past 8 years, by obtaining “quality ball players” to build around Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt.

      Instead of being remembered for a career of a Championship Philosophy—
      Mozeliak will be remembered for his change of philosophy of building from the best —- to the terms of obtaining “Low Hanging Fruit” and/or “ Lightning in a Bottle”.

      This Front Office Philosophy of wasting money on several “Low Hanging Fruit” players instead of using that money wisely on one or two Quality players per year, has lead to a disastrous end of a Legacy Franchise.

      Mozeliak’s only ambition and goal currently is to dump all of the teams Star, future stars such as Helsley and semi star players such as Donovan and their salaries!
      At that point John Mozeliak will have achieved exactly what he has set out to do after firing Mike Schildt.

      As it appears by his press conference, —— Mozeliak’s goal is to replace those Star and semi star players with current minor league players. —-
      Thus placing those players and the current major league team in a no win situation for the future.

      4
      Reply
      • Slider_withcheese

        5 months ago

        Seems like a waste to pick this apart but there are a lot of fallacies in your thoughts.

        First, it’s not John Mozeliak’s ambition nor goal to do anything of the sort. It’s ownership’s. And secondly, the only contracts they are trying to move are Arenado, Matz, and Mikolas. One WAS a superstar and the other two can’t even be given away.

        IF they trade Helsey it would be for talent while his value is high. (Also wouldn’t be surprising if he is extended). Those tea leaves are not easy to read. Donovan isn’t being shopped as it’s been said a billion times, it’s not a tear down. We can debate whether or not it should be but that’s another post.

        I’m not pro Mozeliak in any way as I think his methods became stale and obviously unsuccessful but you’re kidding yourself by putting all of this on him. You may not like him. I may not like him. Hundreds of people may not like him, but ownership does. He’s made them millions. He’d be hired by any team tomorrow if there were an opening and he had interest.

        10
        Reply
  2. swole_nash

    5 months ago

    They finally might make a move!!!!

    Reply
    • This one belongs to the Reds

      5 months ago

      Admit it, you’ve been rooting for that since you saw them going into that room marked Men.

      1
      Reply
  3. 17dizzy

    5 months ago

    Matz ended up being a pretty good set up reliever and 6th man in the rotation.

    He could be worth hanging on to.
    One— Because of his leadership for the young guns, plus being able to contribute two ways.

    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      5 months ago

      Matz was a long reliever (and only when healthy and after being demoted from the rotation), not a setup man.

      Reply
  4. YankeesEmpire29

    5 months ago

    Tommy Kahnle

    1
    Reply
  5. Mikenmn

    5 months ago

    How much interest could Matz have garnered? He barely pitched last year, and in 10 years he’s never managed more than 2.5BWAR and he’s owed $12.5M in 2025.

    2
    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      5 months ago

      If he actually stays healthy, $12.5M is a bargain price for 2.5 WAR starting pitcher.

      4
      Reply
      • eatonculo

        5 months ago

        I agree with you, but that’s a pretty big “if” when it comes to Matz.

        If nothing else, he’ll pitch a few times and create a spot for Mathews.

        1
        Reply
    • Devlsh

      5 months ago

      I refer you to Alex Cobb.

      3
      Reply
      • Chicken In Philly?

        5 months ago

        Mind boggling.

        Reply
    • JackStrawb

      5 months ago

      Every other year or so Matz puts up a roughly 2 bWAR season. For 1/12m, that’s worth some grief.

      The decline looks real, though. I wouldn’t want him as one of my front five.

      Reply
  6. Greenmachinelickitclean

    5 months ago

    Probably wanted Pressly

    Reply
    • ❤️ MuteButton

      5 months ago

      @Green . I’m sure the Astros would be willing to work out something for Donovan or Burleson. It would probably require that the Astros eat some of Presley’s $14 mil and possibly some other considerations

      Reply
      • asdfgh

        5 months ago

        Cardinals wouldn’t give up either of those players. Not in a trade market for a reliever as you can see.

        3
        Reply
      • Lanidrac

        5 months ago

        The Cardinals aren’t dumping either of those guys just to get a reliever.

        Besides, since they already have an All-Star closer, it would be cheaper (in money and/or player value) to go after an actual setup man rather than another closer.

        2
        Reply
  7. kscheer

    5 months ago

    Cardinals are confused af.

    8
    Reply
    • letitbelowenstein

      5 months ago

      They’re like the guy who goes to the used car dealership, brimming with enthusiasm, then he looks at the prices, shrugs and goes home.

      Reply
  8. Four4fore

    5 months ago

    So far they’ve lost Goldschmidt and what else that would make them worse?

    1
    Reply
    • baseballpun

      5 months ago

      Losing Goldschmidt probably makes them better

      10
      Reply
      • swole_nash

        5 months ago

        Goldy was great for the clubhouse though. Look what happened when yadi retired!

        3
        Reply
      • BITA

        5 months ago

        I think Goldschmidts defense will be missed a lot. But the bat is replaceable for sure.

        5
        Reply
    • Four4fore

      5 months ago

      I remember last off-season when they signed Lynn and Gibson and everyone including me blasted them for it. They let those two go and added Fedde, so all they need is to find two starters better than Lynn and Gibson and the rotation is ahead of 2024.

      2
      Reply
    • Astros_fan_in_Aus

      5 months ago

      Praying mantis

      2
      Reply
    • BITA

      5 months ago

      I think McGreevy and a healthy Matz and Fedde all year can outproduce Gibson and Lynn. And Matthews should be ready by mid-season at the latest once he shows up rotation definitely better.

      2
      Reply
    • Lanidrac

      5 months ago

      @chemfinancing Any team that has Gray and Fedde at the top of their rotation as well as McGreevy somewhere in the mix has a pretty good starting rotation at worst.

      Reply
    • moneedstogo

      5 months ago

      From what I have read from Cardinal insiders Matthews may break spring training as the 5th starter.

      Reply
    • Four4fore

      5 months ago

      Sink or swim? Which begs the question for the Cardinals fans out there does Hence profile as starter or closer? He’s awfully small and not everyone can be Pedro Martinez.

      Reply
  9. Nuke LaLoosh

    5 months ago

    (Insert Mariners Pitcher) for Donovan +

    Reply
  10. bpskelly

    5 months ago

    By keeping Mo and Oli around, the ownership has signaled they’re punting on 2025. There’s functionally nothing to get excited about this team.

    6
    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      5 months ago

      I’m still waiting for Yankees to bring back Hill and Houdini. Is there any chance the Yankees trade Schmidt for Donovan? Yankees still need a 3B or 2B

      Reply
    • Lanidrac

      5 months ago

      Mozeliak has overall been a great GM and PoBO, while there’s nothing wrong with keeping Marmol for at least another year with his overall track record as manager.

      They’re still trying to compete, just with a lower payroll than usual, and they still have enough talent to possibly pull it off as a surprise contender in a weak division. If it doesn’t happen, they’ll have some really good trade chips at the trade deadline and compete more seriously in 2026.

      3
      Reply
      • BITA

        5 months ago

        What Lanidrac said

        Reply
    • JackStrawb

      5 months ago

      The mighty are crashing hard. The Cards were a premier organization for decades. Now they have that “Marlins feel.”

      1
      Reply
  11. Tom the ray fan

    5 months ago

    Kittredge one of my favorite rays relievers of all time

    1
    Reply
  12. Old York

    5 months ago

    Ah, the Cardinals, once a proud beacon of the National League, now reduced to wringing their hands over relief pitchers, of all things. I tell ya, back in my day, we didn’t fret over the bullpen like it was the key to the kingdom. We had pitchers who threw nine innings and ate nails for breakfast! Now we’ve got a whole roster of fellas who specialize in throwing twenty pitches before calling it a day. It’s shameful, I say.

    12
    Reply
    • asdfgh

      5 months ago

      Ok boomer you know that’s every team right

      Reply
      • Old York

        5 months ago

        Well now, “asdfgh,” if that is your real name, it seems I’ve struck a nerve! “Ok boomer”? Is that the best rebuttal you’ve got? Why, that’s like stepping into the batter’s box without a bat—completely unarmed and destined to fail.

        Yes, I know every team pinches pennies these days, but that doesn’t make it any less infuriating. It’s like saying, “Everyone’s doing it, so it’s fine.” Well, I suppose if all the teams jumped off a bridge into mediocrity, you’d be the first to cheer them on, wouldn’t you?

        Back in my day, teams played to win, not to balance a budget like they were running a five-and-dime store. Maybe the problem isn’t that I’m a “boomer,” but that you’ve grown so used to mediocrity that you mistake it for strategy. And let me tell you something, sonny: Just because every team does it doesn’t mean it’s the right way to do it.

        So you can keep your “ok boomer” quips, and I’ll keep calling out this nonsense until the Cardinals—or any other team, for that matter—remember that baseball is about winning games, not winning spreadsheets.

        10
        Reply
        • Lanidrac

          5 months ago

          Teams have always had to balance their budgets, even in the days before free agency. The details just weren’t widely available before the Internet went public.

          3
          Reply
        • DroppedThirdStrike

          5 months ago

          I hear the Dodgers were looking for a new fan. Glad I could introduce you two.

          Reply
        • LongTimeFan1

          5 months ago

          @old York –

          Back in my day, which is also back in your day, there were fewer teams, fewer ways to build a winner., and fewer ways to reach the postseason. Hope springs eternal on opening day, but many teams were out of a playoff spot by July. Plenty teams had no chance. and weren’t built to win.

          But players were playing for their jobs and careers when there was no such thing as free agency. They played hurt, They played while mistreated. .They played while their wives were giving birth, and their loved ones were being lowered in their coffins. They took greenies to push through.

          And contrary to what you like to showcase, team owners did indeed care about spreadsheets. The reserve clause was the ultimate in penny pinching. Owners fought free agency tooth and nail for their bottom line.and power over their players.

          2
          Reply
        • SFGRab

          5 months ago

          Yea, I am skeptical that asdfgh is his (her?) real name as well. I also suspect there are others on this site using aliases.

          1
          Reply
        • Old York

          5 months ago

          @Lanidrac

          Ah, yes, balancing budgets, the eternal refrain of the miser! Sure, teams have always counted their pennies, but back then, it wasn’t at the expense of their dignity. In my day, the details of payroll didn’t need to be “widely available” because fans weren’t treated like stockholders scrutinizing quarterly reports. We cared about winning, not whether the owner could afford another yacht. Today, they’ve taken the romance out of baseball and replaced it with actuarial tables. Give me a team that plays for glory over one that plays for margins any day.

          Reply
        • Old York

          5 months ago

          @LongTimeFan1

          Ah, a fellow relic of the golden age! You make some fair points about the reserve clause, though I notice you’ve romanticized owners’ greed as much as I’ve lionized players’ grit. Sure, the owners cared about their ledgers—but they weren’t paralyzed by them. They built dynasties, not excuses. And yes, players played hurt, pushed through, and made sacrifices. That’s the kind of dedication we’re missing today, when a sore hamstring or a few million dollars in payroll flexibility derails an entire season. Baseball thrived because people—players and fans alike—gave it their all. Now? It’s spreadsheet wars and a rotating cast of mercenaries.

          1
          Reply
        • Old York

          5 months ago

          @SFGRab

          Alias or not, at least “asdfgh” gave me something to work with, unlike some of these modern “fans” who show up just to be part of the peanut gallery. Back in my day, we didn’t need aliases because we stood behind our words with pride. Today’s anonymity only enables half-hearted quips and gutless commentary. If you’ve got something meaningful to say, you say it like a man, not a nameless cipher. Now, let’s get back to what really matters: fixing this bullpen disaster before they start auctioning off Busch Stadium brick by brick.

          Reply
        • JackStrawb

          5 months ago

          @Old York Baseball has always, always been about winning both.

          Reply
  13. Lanidrac

    5 months ago

    Keep in mind that the Cardinals have already cut a bunch of payroll compared to last year, even if they don’t end up trading guys like Arenado and/or Matz.

    Although, exactly how much wiggle room they currently have to add to the current payroll and whether that’s enough for a decent late inning reliever on the free agent market is unknown.

    Reply
  14. Veejh

    5 months ago

    So is everyone else.

    1
    Reply
  15. asdfgh

    5 months ago

    He wouldn’t go to Houston now, they have 3B and wow what poop comment

    3
    Reply
  16. Lanidrac

    5 months ago

    What are you talking about? They’re still a fringe contender in the weak NL Central even if they do trade Arenado. It’s not like they’re actually rebuilding.

    3
    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      5 months ago

      Why not? They’re still better than the Pirates and Reds on paper, and they have enough talent to beat out the Brewers and Cubs if enough things go right.

      While it’s not likely they’ll make the playoffs until 2026 or 2027, the chances they could still pull it off this year are still significant. That’s why they want to keep guys like Helsley and Fedde.

      1
      Reply
    • mustache101

      5 months ago

      Wow your a homer lol the cards don’t even buy what you want …there full rebuild nothing wrong with that but
      Don’t be a homer makes you look pathetic

      Reply
    • Lanidrac

      5 months ago

      As soon as you stop spreading made up information, as the Cardinals have NEVER said they are rebuilding but have officially said they are still trying to compete this year, just on a lower payroll.

      They have also refused to trade most of the players that a rebuilding team would have traded (even if Gray and Contreras didn’t have no trade clauses).

      Reply
  17. This one belongs to the Reds

    5 months ago

    Hopefully the Reds are too, and I don’t mean Walmart.

    Reply
  18. Lanidrac

    5 months ago

    Maybe if Pressly is willing to be a setup man rather than a closer, but the Astros would have to pay more than just $14M of Arenado’s salary next year. I’m thinking at least $20M for 2025 plus the entire check (save for what the Rockies are covering) for 2026 and 2027.

    However, if Arenado still refuses to accept a trade to the Astros, there’s nothing either team can do.

    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      5 months ago

      Oh yeah, there’s no room for Arenado in Houston anymore, anyway.

      4
      Reply
    • DroppedThirdStrike

      5 months ago

      Nobody is paying that much of his salary unless premium prospects come with

      Reply
      • Lanidrac

        5 months ago

        You underestimate how good of a player Arenado still is. Even with his offensive down year, he was still worth 3.1 fWAR and 2.5 bWAR last year thanks to his excellent defense and still barely above average offense (102 wRC+). There’s also a decent chance that his power at least partially rebounds.

        Reply
      • DroppedThirdStrike

        5 months ago

        Maybe on a one year deal he’d get that in free agency. No one will cover that salary for a defense first 3B with a league average bat that’s in decline for 3 years. I would guess that a minimum of 50% of his money owed needs to get covered to move him.

        He got old. It happens to all of them eventually.

        Reply
      • Lanidrac

        5 months ago

        First of all, he’s only been in decline for two years, not three years. He was an MVP candidate three years ago.

        Second, his remaining contract is front-loaded. Subtracting what the Rockies are covering, an acquiring team would only owe him $22M in 2026 and $10M in 2027.

        Reply
      • DroppedThirdStrike

        5 months ago

        3 years of his contract, not three years of decline. I could have written that more clearly

        Reply
      • DroppedThirdStrike

        5 months ago

        Arenado is owed $74MM, and the Rockies are only covering $10MM. Cards will need to pay down about 50%, or $32MM, to get rid of him. If I’m wrong it’s not by more than a couple million a year. He’s old and only getting older.

        Reply
  19. dale123

    5 months ago

    St louis will trade helsely before start of season.too many teams are willing to pay for late inning relievers right now.

    Reply
  20. Krr104

    5 months ago

    I feel like the cardinals should be in the market for anything if it helps them get better. Which is literally anything.

    1
    Reply
    • Garywally57

      5 months ago

      As long as they are cheap. That’s what matters most to billionaire Bill Dewallet. The Cardinals aren’t going anywhere until there’s a new ownership in St. Louis.

      1
      Reply
      • Devlsh

        5 months ago

        Yeah, they’ve certainly struggled to put a winning team under DeWitt.

        Or have they?

        Reply
  21. DonOsbourne

    5 months ago

    Welcome home Joe Kelly

    Reply
  22. Kapler's Coconut Oil

    5 months ago

    I feel like the Cardinals have plenty of players that the Giants would like for Camilo Doval

    Reply
    • BITA

      5 months ago

      Doval could be interesting he could setup Helsley until the trade deadline or until the year after. Not sure exactly what the Giants would want for him

      Reply
      • DroppedThirdStrike

        5 months ago

        They’d want young, cost-controlled players, the same thing the Cards wouldn’t want to give up.

        Reply
        • gbs42

          5 months ago

          Camilo Doval, who pitched so poorly he was demoted not only from the closer role but also to the minors? There’s no way the Cardinals would give up young, cost-controlled players for him.

          Reply
        • DroppedThirdStrike

          5 months ago

          Giants don’t want fringy veterans in trade. They already have some they’re trying to get rid of. They might take a couple lottery picks but I don’t see how that makes them better.

          Reply
  23. thebirds

    5 months ago

    Helsley team: “if you’re gonna keep me then you need to protect and build around me”

    Help keep Helsleys stock up in case of a mid season trade? I dunno?

    1
    Reply
  24. gray

    5 months ago

    Please, not Joe Kelly.

    1
    Reply
  25. Rsox

    5 months ago

    Still quite a few solid options available.

    I don’t know that the Cardinals are as bad as everyone here is making them out to be. Yes they lost Goldschmidt, but that was by design as Contreras will be playing 1B/DH. Sure Kyle Gibson is a free agent but they still have a decent starting staff.

    If the season started right now the Cardinals probably trot out a roster of:

    C Pages/Herrera
    1B Contreras
    2B Gorman
    3B Arenado
    SS Winn
    LF Donovan
    CF Nootbar
    RF Walker
    DH Burleson

    With Siani/Fermin/backup Catcher/Scott or Baker or as yet to be added player

    A rotation of
    Gray
    Fedde
    Mikolas
    Pallante
    Matz/McGreevy

    And Helsley at the back of the bullpen isn’t terrible

    1
    Reply
    • leftcoaster

      5 months ago

      That’s a hideous rotation.

      3
      Reply
    • Dorothy_Mantooth

      5 months ago

      That’s about a 75-78 win roster with no more additions. The Cardinals need to find a way to bring back Kittredge (at market value) and another 2-3 bullpen arms for short money. It would probably cost them $14M-$18M in total to do all of this. I’m not sure how much money they have removed from their 2024 payroll so far, but if St.Louis isn’t willing to spend real money on their bullpen, they might as well punt on 2025 and try to trade as many players as they can, starting with Helsley.

      They don’t have many HR hitters either, but if they have good pitching and a lights out bullpen, they can still win a lot of 1 & 2 run games.

      Reply
    • BITA

      5 months ago

      The Cardinals were just as good as the Red Sox in 2024. The Red Sox were and are in a better position to make trades and they have spent more money so I expect them to be a better team but the Cardinals aren’t bad probably a 500 team in 2025.

      Reply
    • rocknwell

      5 months ago

      @Rsox Walker can’t hit. Gorman could hit if he’d stop striking out. Nootbar hasn’t shown to live up to his perceived potential either. We know what we have with Donovan and Burleson. I expect Winn to get better, but even if he doesn’t, he’s a solid bat. Arenado is a wild card but I think his best days are over. Herrera may be a decent bat for a catcher but that’s not saying much. That rotation though? Behind Gray it’s almost nothing. I don’t think they win 80 games this year. I’d be pleasantly surprised if they do! I hope the young guys can figure it all out! Seriously though…Walker needs to go back to the drawing board.

      Reply
    • Champs64

      5 months ago

      I think Saggese needs a place at the table.

      Reply
  26. ron_karate

    5 months ago

    Who isn’t in the market for relievers? Please reply to the Department of Redundancy Department.

    1
    Reply
  27. Niekro floater

    5 months ago

    In the market to off-load aging pricey 3rdbaseman but we don’t wanna help pay any money to cover contract n he probably won’t waive his no-trade clause to play for u anyway.

    Reply
  28. Brettlez

    5 months ago

    Cardinals are one of those teams that needs a rebuild but keep acting like they’re not bad.

    1
    Reply
    • MLBAddict

      5 months ago

      I see it as more of a reorganization than a rebuild, a large portion of their issues are a result of a neglected minor league system. They need to improve their scouting, coaching, and organizational depth to build from within.

      2
      Reply
      • Brettlez

        5 months ago

        Yeah, agreed. They don’t have payroll flexibilty or a good batch or prospects coming up so they should just firesale most of their roster now for maximum return.

        1
        Reply
  29. eatonculo

    5 months ago

    Look. Derrick had to write a story, preferably something new, not rehashed Arenado nonsense.

    Relief pitching works. The Cardinals are more likely to add one of Mo’s “low-hanging fruit” relievers, but they might look for a “decent” reliever on a one-year contract (who might be mid-season trade bait) when players get nervous right before spring training.

    That’s about it. Most teams will do this.

    2
    Reply
  30. danumd87 2

    5 months ago

    Why? They have no chance at competing. Seems like a waste of limited resources.

    Reply
  31. stymeedone

    5 months ago

    Trump: Can’t she be both?

    Reply
  32. Marqueef Grissom

    5 months ago

    easy, trade Arenado for three 6.00+ ERA AA guys. problem solved.

    Reply
  33. Salzilla

    5 months ago

    Hmmm, could we make a deal around Arenado for Luke Weaver????

    Reply
  34. jeremyr

    5 months ago

    We’ve probably got a dozen pitchers in AAA that could pitch. No point in signing anyone.

    Reply

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