5 St. Louis Cardinals players in line for contract extensions

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 15, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 15, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – JULY 09: Giovanny Gallegos #65 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on July 9, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – JULY 09: Giovanny Gallegos #65 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on July 9, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Giovanny Gallegos

While Giovanny Gallegos hasn’t matched the success of 2021, where he saved 14 games, he is still a solid and integral cog in the Cardinals’ bullpen. He’s been on an upswing in 2022’s second half, holding opponents to a .138 average in 8.1 innings and serving as a strong complement to primary closer Ryan Helsley when Helsley needs a day off.

Gallegos recently turned 31, so a long extension shouldn’t be in the cards, but bullpen talent this reliable doesn’t grow on trees. I’d suggest extending him for one more year, especially because the Cardinals’ farm system is thinner on the pitching side, with most of the higher-ranked prospects at lower levels of the minors. Gallegos would be a very sturdy bridge between the current relievers and the young arms.