St. Louis Cardinals: 6 under-the-radar closer candidates

Right around this time last year, the St. Louis Cardinals signed Brett Cecil almost completely out of nowhere. With the ‘closer’ role being made of utmost importance, is there another totally random Brett Cecil-type of signing out there? Here are 6 names to know…

Ever since John Mozeliak revealed that a closer is this offseason’s “top priority” for the St. Louis Cardinals and that that pitcher would “likely come from outside the organization,” rumors have swirled and names have been thrown around.

Will it be Greg Holland? What about Wade Davis? Maybe Zach Britton? How about Roberto Osuna? All are beautiful options but would either require excessive contracts or massive prospect hauls in a potential trade.

So, much like I did just the other day in looking at some under the radar ‘impact bat’ candidates for the St. Louis Cardinals, let’s take a look at some of the other guys out there in the closer market.

Quickly, before I get started with the actual list, I’m intentionally leaving Juan Nicasio off because he is already a prevalent option and doesn’t qualify to me as ‘under the radar’ because he might well be right in the center of the radar, hanging out and having drinks with Greg Holland.

Hamstringing the payroll is never good, but in a time where relief pitching is as important and volatile as its ever been, the Cardinals need to shy away from the big money contracts that Wade Davis and Greg Holland will command and instead look to fill the ranks with relatively cheap, yet quality free agents such as the 5 listed above.

With that now out of the way, here we go.