St. Louis Cardinals: Waiver arms the Cards should consider claiming

The St. Louis Cardinals, if not interested in Storen, may look elsewhere for another closing arm.

While they do not need a closer, as was discussed in the previous slide, the St. Louis Cardinals might look to another team to grab a back-of-the-pen arm with closing experience. Enter Jim Johnson.

The St. Louis Cardinals were kind to the Atlanta Braves earlier this season by providing them a left-handed slugger to man first base while Freddie Freeman was on the disabled list. Matt Adams, who struggled this season for the Cards, has exploded for the Braves. Surely, they thank the Cardinals for this.

Johnson has cleared waivers but no one has grabbed him (yet). If the Cardinals have any interest in a closing arm, Johnson should be at the top of that list. This All-Star who recorded 51 saves in 2012 and then followed this by recording 50 saves in 2013, has recorded 22 saves this season already.

Many believe that his waiver has already been revoked since no team has claimed him. That doesn’t mean that this has happened but with his stats, it would make sense for a team to grab him which is why many believe him to go nowhere.

Whether he is or is not available, the St. Louis Cardinals should place a claim. Adding a dominant arm like Johnson- who has recorded 54 strikeouts this season already (on his way to besting his season-best of 68)- could assist the bullpen and could help the Cardinals climb into the postseason.

In addition, Johnson would be more than a rental as he is under team control through 2018. This is yet another reason that some believe his cleared waiver has already been revoked.