Cardinals Reportedly Close To Extension With Flamethrowing Closer

St. Louis is poised to hold onto an impending free-agent reliever

With the disastrous season the St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen has had, it's hard to imagine any reliever feeling safe about his job at the trade deadline.

Recent reports, however, indicate that there is one hard-throwing asset that St. Louis plans on keeping after this season.

"The team is exploring a multi-year extension with prized right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks, who is set to be a free agent at the end of the 2023 season, according to multiple league reports," The Athletic's Katie Woo wrote Tuesday.

Since Ryan Helsley was placed on the injured list for a right forearm injury back in June, Hicks has stepped up and assumed the closer role for the Cardinals.

Hicks, best known for his triple-digit velocity numbers, should also be recognized for posting a 2.03 ERA and safely securing eight of nine save opportunities since becoming the closing pitcher.

The soon-to-be 27-year-old was set to hit free agency this offseason but the Cardinals appear to be trying to prevent that from happening. 

St. Louis is selling at this year's trade deadline and pitching is at the forefront of areas where the team needs to focus on. Luckily, it seems that the Cardinals will not have to worry about finding a new closer over the winter.

This latest rumor indicates that although the Cardinals will be selling, they are not looking to rebuild just yet and are confident in being able to build around the weapons they currently have for next year's season.

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