Former All-Star reliever makes sense for St. Louis Cardinals

Former All-Star reliever Archie Bradley makes sense for the St. Louis Cardinals, but there’s reason to believe a deal will not happen.

Joe Kelly. Ryan Tepera. Collin McHugh. Andrew Chafin. That’s not even mentioning the infinite possibilities that exist on the trade market that the St. Louis Cardinals can explore to upgrade their bullpen.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and the front office will have ample opportunities to upgrade the bullpen. And another includes free-agent right-hander and former All-Star Archie Bradley, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, though he notes that the team has not reached out to his representatives.

Still, Bradley presents an intriguing skill set and track record that is sure to intrigue bullpen needy teams. He is only two years removed from recording 18 saves with the Arizona Diamondbacks and was a dominant setup-man in 2016, which is where the Cardinals are looking as it has become apparent that Giovanny Gallegos will be the closer in 2022.

Bradley is likely to land a one-year deal once again in free agency, which should appeal to the Cardinals’ front office. However, he walked 22 batters in 51 innings last season, a number that is far too high, and they will be seeking a reliever with more consistency and less volatility than that. It is possible that pitching coach Mike Maddux could get Bradley closer to the level he was at in Arizona, but it’s likely that they will prefer a safer option.

Which points us back to Tepera, who very well might be the Cardinals’ top target after the lockout. He will command a multi-year deal – say, two years, $10-12 million total – which would leave enough room to add another reliever and potentially another starter.

Bradley is surely someone they will consider. But if the Cardinals were serious about Bradley, they would have reached out to him before the lockout. The fact that they didn’t is very telling and indicates he will not be pitching in St. Louis next season.