St. Louis Cardinals reportedly want to add two relievers post-lockout

St. Louis Cardinals reportedly want to add two relievers post-lockout, with Ryan Tepera and Joe Kelly among names of interest.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ biggest weakness is the bullpen and having lost Luis Garcia, makes an already difficult fix that more challenging. It’s why I have consistently said throughout the last few months that the front office should add not two relievers after the lockout.

And that is indeed the plan, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch relays that the Cardinals want to add “at least” two relievers, “either of whom could be part of holding leads in the late innings.”

As Goold reported, the Cardinals had conversations earlier this offseason with free-agent relievers Joe Kelly and Ryan Tepera. Both remain available, though Kelly reportedly might be out of their price range, which would leave Tepera as the best realistic option, and industry people expect him to land a two-year deal in the $4-5 million per year range.

Adding Tepera, and one of Brad Boxberger, Andrew Chafin or Collin McHugh, would turn the Cardinals bullpen from a weakness into a borderline strength. Even if they add two of the names on that list, I would expect the front office to keep a close eye on available relievers, both via trade and free agency, especially during the regular season.

After all, just look at what happened during the 2021 season. Injuries nearly derailed what was perhaps the most hyped regular season in recent years after the Nolan Arenado trade. A consistent mantra from Cardinals people ever since then has been “You can never have enough pitching.”

It’s also why the front office has been looking for a sixth starting pitcher even after signing Steven Matz to a four-year, $44 million deal.

The search for pitching is merely beginning – and once the lockout ends, will continue to be the primary focus of the remainder of their offseason.