St. Louis Cardinals: One crazy idea to help the bullpen

The St. Louis Cardinals bullpen is struggling, there is no way around it. If the team wants to turn it around in the second half, the bullpen needs to improve.

People are calling for Greg Holland‘s head at this point. Okay, well just for him to be DFA’d. Either way, help needs to come. There is no way to swap out every arm in the bullpen for someone else, and relievers in the trade market aren’t worth parting with prospects. That leaves the St. Louis Cardinals needing to find help from within.

The disclaimer is that this idea is a little crazy. But, there is a method. Crazy things sometimes work.

Memphis Starters

If the Milwaukee Brewers are any indication, taking a promising starter and using them in the bullpen works. They have done it with Josh Hader and Corbin Burnes in the last two years. So, why not give it a shot? There is precedent for success.

The Cardinals appear to have some personal vendetta against giving Dakota Hudson a chance to start in St. Louis this year, so the bullpen could help both sides. It gives Hudson experience in the MLB, and it gives Mike Maddux a guy who will probably be really good.

Make no mistake, I still firmly believe Hudson should be getting his chance to start.

Hudson is not the only option. The St. Louis Caridnals number four prospect is Ryan Helsley, and he is also in Memphis. It would not be the worst thing in the world to find room for this pair in the bullpen.

They are both stretched out as starters, which means they could cover multiple innings, and give the experienced bullpen guys a little more rest. But the biggest key is getting top prospects some time with the big club.

Beyond 2018

There is no saying that the two have to stick there by any means. Both guys will probably make excellent starters, but not this season. I just see no reason not to get them time now. They won’t lose their rookie limits, they will just be helping the St. Louis Cardinals.

Something needs to happen, and this could be an idea that not only helps the Cardinals now, but sets up smoother transitions for top prospects in the future. Look at the recent bullpen numbers and try to justify not doing anything.

Next: Carlos Martinez to the DL

When a rotation spot is up for grabs, guys who have pitched in the majors will be able to make that jump a little easier. It looks as if Hudson and Helsley have great futures ahead of them, and the St. Louis Cardinals should help out both sides right now.