The St. Louis Cardinals are actively seeking a setup reliever to help fill the void left by right-hander Andrew Kittredge, who became a free agent in November, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This move is not entirely surprising, as the team has been looking to strengthen its bullpen.
With Kittredge’s departure and closer Ryan Helsley often mentioned in trade rumors, the Cardinals might explore adding a veteran reliever. Having an experienced late-inning pitcher could provide the flexibility to consider trading Helsley if an enticing offer comes their way, while also allowing them to stay competitive in 2025 without him if needed.
The most likely scenario, however, is that the team will hold onto Helsley, who had a standout 2024 season, recording a 206 ERA+ and leading MLB with 49 saves. To keep him in his current closer role, the Cardinals would benefit from bolstering their bullpen.
The presence of Kittredge, who posted a 2.80 ERA and accumulated 37 holds in 2024, played a significant part in allowing the Cardinals to use Helsley more strategically than in past seasons. With Kittredge now gone, adding another reliable veteran could ensure the bullpen remains strong and deepen their overall pitching staff.
However, the Cardinals’ pursuit of a veteran reliever could be complicated by their need to reduce payroll. Team president John Mozeliak has made it clear that lowering costs is a priority this offseason. The team’s ideal solution would be to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado, although the market for him has been quiet since a potential deal with the Houston Astros fell apart. As they wait to see how the market for other third basemen, like Alex Bregman, unfolds, the Cardinals may face delays in adding any significant payroll.
The slow pace of the relief market, however, might offer the Cardinals some flexibility. Only a few relief pitchers, such as Aroldis Chapman, Blake Treinen, and Yimi García, have signed contracts worth over $10 million so far. Depending on whether they can move some of Arenado’s contract or make other roster changes, the Cardinals may still have room to add a quality reliever.
Veterans like José Leclerc, Kyle Finnegan, and Chris Martin are among potential late-inning options, while a reunion with Kittredge remains possible. If the team struggles to make a trade, they could target more affordable options such as Héctor Neris, Scott Barlow, or Joe Kelly—relievers who had challenging 2024 seasons but could be available at a lower cost.
José Leclerc
Overall, the Cardinals’ bullpen plans will depend heavily on how their payroll situation develops. If they can free up enough space, they could add a late-inning veteran to strengthen their relief corps. If not, they may need to explore more cost-effective options to build a competitive team heading into the 2025 season.
Leave a Reply