Woe Is The Cardinals Bullpen

The Cardinals bullpen has been…for lack of better words….a work in progress this year. The future outlook is terrific, but for the time being it has been somewhat shaky.

Currently this is the list of the Cardinals bullpen:

*Brian Tallet – age 33
*Bryan Augenstein – age 24
*Eduardo Sanchez – age 22
*Fernando Salas – age 25
*Jason Motte – age 28
*Miguel Batista – age 40
*Ryan Franklin – age 38
*Trever Miller – age 37

Mitchell Boggs was amongst the names but was sent down to Memphis the other day to do work and become molded as a starter.

Last night, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak was questioned in the matter and said for now there is no talk of bringing anyone in. He did stress that June or July may be the time they really start to evaluate the situation and make rash decisions.

“The good thing for us right now is we’re competing, we’re doing it in a lot of different ways, and as long as we can stay in contention and be in a place where we can compete, the St. Louis Cardinals always look for ways to improve themselves at the Trade Deadline.”

– John Mozeliak (Read The Entire Article Here)

Early on in the season there were plenty of talks in the closer role as Ryan Franklin has been struggling and he was subsequently pulled. Fernando Salas, Eduardo Sanchez, Mitchell Boggs, and even Trever Miller in one case stepped up to fill in as part of the carousel that is the Cardinals closer role.

Talks early on really only brought forth two major names:

Heath Bell has been the most frequently mentioned talent thus far. Heath is expensive but is exactly what the Cardinals would like to have on their staff. He is talked about all over the league right now as being on the trade block and someone the Padres may be looking to unload in the coming months before the trade deadline.

Heath Bell

San Diego Padres

Age: 33

2011: 1.96 ERA – 9 Saves

Career: 3.11 ERA – 100 Saves

Matt Capps is indeed another interesting proposition. The Cardinals have seen a alot of Capps in the past when he was a member of the Pirates. He is still a prominent closer in the making and while only maybe half a million a year cheaper than Bell, he is the younger option and a much better prospect.

Matt Capps

Minnesota Twins

Age: 27

2011: 5.09 ERA – 7 Saves

Career: 3.48 ERA – 116 Saves

Whether or not the Cardinals act on either one, or any pitcher in general is yet to be seen. Hopefully the closer role is solved soon, but I am not incredibly sure spending even more money is truly the way to go.

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