Sticated Choices of John Mozeliak's Bullpen Structure Affecting effectiveness of Oli Marmol's Strategy Decisions
The St. Louis Cardinals stuck with their purse strings closed, shelling out only a measly $2 million to veteran reliever Phil Maton during the offseason, leaving their bullpen as the lone area of investment. So far, this move has proven fruitful.
But when it came to reinforcing the powerhouse lineup from last year, the Cardinals doubled down on internal improvements and the potential of the youngrellievers like Ryan Helsley, JoJo Romero, and Ryan Fernandez.
With a bullpen full of potential, I was itching to see the season unfold - but boy, was I wrong.
Mozeliak's Lackluster Bullpen Strategy
John Mozeliak's complacency with the bullpen this offseason has set manager Oliver Marmol up for a world of trouble.
JoJo Romero, one of the key players in the bullpen, was a prime candidate for regression. His ERA skyrocketed from a paltry 2.43 in the first half of last year to a dismal 5.40 in the second half. Opponents slashed a dreadful .264/.346/.500 against him in the second half. Home runs were flying out of the park against him, and the signs of an impending collapse were everywhere.
Instead of bolstering the left-handed relief options, Mozeliak chose to stand pat – a decision that's coming back to bite him.
As for Fernandez, he's been struggling all year. His ERA soared to an eye-watering 11.42 following a three-run homer he surrendered to the Atlanta Braves – all in the bottom of the eighth inning on a Wednesday afternoon. John King hasn't been reliable all year, and he blew a one-run lead against the Braves in the seventh inning on the same day.
If Mozeliak insists on keeping Fernandez, King, and even Romero in the lineup, he might as well just hand the game to the opposition.
The Missing Memphis Shuttle
If Mozeliak truly wants the team to compete this year – something he's been preaching for months – he needs to activate the Memphis shuttle more often. There are several promising relievers knocking on the door in Memphis, including Riley O'Brien, Chris Roycroft, and Andre Granillo – all of whom have been pitching lights-out in Memphis.
Meanwhile, the club's third-best starting pitcher, Michael McGreevy, continues to languish in obscurity. After all, this is the year to see what our young players can do for the future.
Mistakes Galore
Oli Marmol isn't entirely off the hook either. There have been times when he could have used Ryan Helsley to hold a game, but instead opted for other, less effective options. The mismanagement of the bullpen is a team effort – and it's costing the Cardinals dearly.
It's high time the Cardinals gave their ailing bullpen a dose of reality – and the only way to do that is by shaking things up, both at the managerial and roster levels. Otherwise, the bullpen woes will continue to drag the team down.
In light of John Mozeliak's approach towards the bullpen this offseason, manager Oliver Marmol may face challenges due to insufficient reinforcements. JoJo Romero, a crucial player in the bullpen, experienced a significant decline in performance during the second half of last season, accompanied by a steep rise in ERA and opposition's batting statistics. Rather than strengthening the left-handed relief options, Mozeliak opted for maintenance, a decision that seems to be backfiring. Similarly, Ryan Fernandez and John King have been underperforming, potentially requiring replacement. If Mozeliak persists with these inconsistent relievers, the advantage might lie with the opposing team. To address these issues, Mozeliak should consider activating the Memphis shuttle more frequently to bring in promising relievers like Riley O'Brien, Chris Roycroft, and Andre Granillo. Additionally, manager Oli Marmol can benefit from more effective utilization of resources, particularly Ryan Helsley, to improve the management of the bullpen.
