Cardinals are “in the market” for a shortstop to help replace right-handers Andrew Kittredge at the back of their bullpen after hitting free agency back in November, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
It’s no surprise that the Cardinals would be interested in adding to their bullpen. Except for the gap left by Kittredge in the late innings, close Ryan Helsley got his name in the rumor mill every time this winter. While all signs point to the club keeping him around at least through the 2025 season, the addition of a seasoned veteran in the late innings could provide St. Helsley should they receive the kind of big offer that would force them to reconsider their position. While losing Helsley will be a tough blow to the club’s bullpen regardless of what pitcher (or pitchers) they add to their relief force this winter, it will be easier for the Cards to try to stay competitive in 2025 without Helsley again if they have experienced veterans who can step into the closer role in Helsley’s place. .
The most likely scenario is that the club will stick to the obvious plan to keep Helsley for the season. Still, though, it’s easy to see why the club would want to bolster its bullpen as a way to keep Helsley strong in his current role as the team’s closer. 2024 was the first year of Helsley’s career where he was used exclusively in the ninth inning or later, and he responded with a 206 ERA+ and an MLB-best 49 saves. Goold suggests that the strong presence of Kittredge, who posted a 2.80 ERA and struck out 37 for the Cardinals last year, was a key part of the reason the Cardinals were able to be smarter in their use of Helsley compared to previous years. .
As much as it makes sense for the Cardinals to add at least one veteran shortstop to their bullpen this winter, it’s a path without obstacles. It has been made clear by several reports and even president of baseball John Mozeliak’s comments this winter that reducing the payroll is a priority for St. Louis this winter. The most obvious way to do that, and the clear favorite of the Cardinals, is to find a trade partner Nolan Arenado. A recent report suggested a quiet market for Arenado since a potential deal with the Astros last month fell through, however, and for his part, Goold suggests the Cardinals may be better off waiting for another third baseman. Alex BregmanThe market has been given the power to be the overlap between the two midfielders.
With no public indication that Bregman is even close to signing, that may mean the Cardinals will need to wait a little longer before they seriously consider adding an additional fee of real value. Fortunately, St. Louis, the relief market has been very slow this winter Aroldis Chapman, Blake Treinenagain I’m Garcia standing out as the only players to have signed over $10MM to date in that corner of the market. Whether the Cardinals would be interested in playing at that mid-level of the relief market will depend on how much (if any) of Arenado’s contract they can move, as well as whether they part with the same pitchers. Steven Matz again Erick Fedde this winter after both starters received interest earlier this winter. Even if Matz or Fedde are moved, Goold suggests the club could consider pivoting back to the veteran right-hander. Kyle Gibson rather than signing a pricier helping hand like David Robertson.
Given the slowness of the relief market this winter, the Cardinals should still have a good amount of flexibility to make additions to their bullpen whenever their payroll situation is properly resolved. Goold speculates that the former Rangers are correct José Leclerc as something that might suit the Cards, and the players like it Kyle Finnegan, Chris Martinagain Paul Sewald would be among several other ways late-season veterans might get one-year deals–like reuniting with Kittredge himself. Either of those options would certainly warrant a healthy big league guarantee, though, and if the Cardinals find themselves unable to move any of their expensive veterans on the trade market they may not be interested in adding that kind of salary. In that case, Héctor Neris, Scott Barlowagain Joe Kelly are a handful of veteran relievers with recent experience coming off tough seasons in 2024 that can be found on a team with a tight budget like St. Louis.
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