Cardinals Reportedly Plan To Add Pair Of High-Leverage Relievers This Offseason

St. Louis appears primed for a notable offseason

Scott Neville | Nov 1, 2023

Cardinals Reportedly Plan To Add Pair Of High-Leverage Relievers This Offseason /

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals know what it takes to get back into postseason contention after a last-place finish in the National League Central.

The conversation starts and ends with pitching, and St. Louis appears highly aware of their weaknesses.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak publically admitted that the organization will attempt to add at least three starters this offseason. It turns out, that will not be the only overhaul to the pitching staff.

"Relief pitching is also high on the organization’s priority list. St. Louis will likely look to add at least two high-leverage arms to bolster the bullpen behind Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos," The Athletic's Katie Woo wrote Monday.

That news should become highly encouraging for Cardinals fans. If St. Louis were to add three solid starters and two more high-leverage arms, they'd be right back into playoff contention.

There are some intriguing relievers entering free agency, including San Diego Padres' Josh Hader, Texas Rangers' Aroldis Chapman, Philadelphia Phillies' Craig Kimbrel and Houston Astros' Hector Neris.

However, with the international market seemingly as strong as ever, the Cardinals could turn to Japanese closer Yuki Matsui -- whom they've reportedly shown interest in -- or Cuban reliever Yariel Rodriguez to aid their World Series pursuit next season.

The willingness to overhaul the pitching staff is going to be the only way to save this club next season. So far, all reports are promising.

More MLB: Cardinals Could Try To Sign Frontline Starter Reportedly Entering Free Agency

Published Nov 1, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the St. Louis Cardinals for FanNation's "Inside The Cardinals" on Sports Illustrated. Before starting "Inside The Cardinals", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join FanNation and the Sports Illustrated Media Group as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." After a few months as the top Major League Baseball site in the program, Neville sought expansion and pitched "Inside The Cardinals," one of the newest additions to FanNation and the Sports Illustrated Media Group. The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Cardinals" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu