Five experienced relief pitchers potentially bolstering St. Louis Cardinals' pen.” or "Experienced relief pitchers who might significantly enhance the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen."
Check out the desperate situation the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in with their bullpen in the 2025 season! Last year's heartbreak was hitting with runners in scoring position, but this time around, it's the bullpen causing the headaches. The team, which ranked 7th in bullpen ERA, 8th in win probability added, 4th in win advancement, and 1st in saves in 2024, is off to a rough start in 2025.
The loss of Andrew Kittredge, who ranked second in holds last year, to the Orioles in free agency didn't help matters, but Regression from Ryan Fernandez and JoJo Romero has been even more disheartening. With promising relievers like Triston McKenzie going unclaimed in Triple-A and Brooks Raley re-signing with the Mets, the Cardinals are left searching for options to avoid falling too far behind in the NL Central.
Let's take a look at five veteran pitchers that could provide an instant boost to the Cardinals' struggling bullpen:
5. Kenta Maeda
Although Maeda may not be the most popular choice, he's still a solid option to keep an eye on. Designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers, he could offer the Cardinals plenty of value, despite a seemingly lackluster performance in 2025. At 37 years old, Maeda has expertise in deception throughout his career with a range of seven different pitches. He could also impart valuable wisdom to the young pitchers on the Cardinals' staff.
4. Spencer Turnbull
Turnbull versatility as both a starter and a reliever makes him an appealing choice. Before an injury in 2024, he made 17 appearances for the Phillies, posting a 2.65 ERA. At only 32 years old, there's plenty of upside for Turnbull to contribute high-quality long relief for the Cardinals, especially considering their early struggles in 2025.
3. Joe Kelly
The old saying goes, "You can't go home again." Or can you? If Cardinals fans have their way, they'd love to see another reunion with Joe Kelly. While he's regressed over the years, his fastball velocity still ranks in the top 2% according to Baseball Savant. Kelly could give Oli Marmol another trustworthy arm in tough situations, relieving him from over-relying on Kyle Leahy and Phil Maton.
2. Drew Smyly
Just like Maeda and Turnbull, Smyly could provide the Cardinals with long relief out of the bullpen or even start for the team if needed. To reiterate, the Cardinals have a pressing need for more lefty options in their bullpen, and Smyly could be that reliable left-handed arm they're looking for.
1. David Robertson
If there were a pitcher Cardinals fans would love to seen sign with the team, it would undoubtedly be David Robertson. Besides his spectacular 2024 season, his addition would be well-received in the clubhouse and provide valuable flexibility when it comes to a Ryan Helsley deal. Plus, he could potentially fetch a solid prospect at the trade deadline if the team decides to deal him in July.
While it's easy to say the Cardinals should sign the best pitcher available, the reality is that getting a big name may not be feasible. If the Cardinals can't land Robertson, it's acceptable but continuing to struggle beyond this early season frustrations is not. It's high time for the Cardinals to go out and make moves to stabilize their struggling bullpen.
Enrichment Data:As of the 2025 season, the St. Louis Cardinals made some key moves to strengthen their bullpen, including signing Phil Maton and acquiring Andrew Kittredge in offseason moves. The team's offseason efforts were more extensive in 2024, which helped them excel in their bullpen last year.
However, the current bullpen situation involves a mix of existing talent and potential adjustments. Ryan Helsley, a key figure, is speculated to be a potential trade candidate, which could impact the team’s bullpen strategy. No major moves beyond Maton's signing have been announced for the 2025 season, but the team may explore trade options as the season continues, especially if Helsley gets traded.
- The Cardinals are considering signing veteran pitcher David Robertson, who had a stellar 2024 season and could provide valuable experience for the team.
- If the Cardinals fail to sign Robertson, they must make moves to stabilize their struggling bullpen, as continuing to struggle beyond the early season would be unacceptable.
- The Cardinals' bullpen has been plagued with regression from Ryan Fernandez and JoJo Romero, which has added to their early season woes.
- The Yankees' Spencer Turnbull, with his ability to provide high-quality long relief as both a starter and a reliever, is one of the five veteran pitchers being considered to boost the Cardinals' bullpen.
