The St. Louis Cardinals' bullpen is a dynamic and ever-changing group, and with the recent roster additions, it's time to take a closer look at who's who and what's next. The Cardinals' pitching staff is a work in progress, and the bullpen is no exception.
Currently, the closer role is held by JoJo Romero, but his future with the team is uncertain. The Cardinals may be looking to trade Romero, and his high-leverage lefty skills could be a valuable asset to another team. This move would create an opening in the bullpen, and the Cardinals have a few options to fill it.
One potential candidate is Matt Svanson, who had a breakout season last year and became a reliable late-inning reliever. Svanson's impressive performance earned him a spot on the major league roster, and he could be an early contender for the ninth-inning role if Romero is dealt. His strikeout rate and ERA were both impressive, and he has the potential to become a closer in the future.
However, the bullpen is far from settled. Kyle Leahy, who filled a firefighter role last season, is expected to compete for a starting spot in the rotation this year. This creates a big vacancy in the relief corps, and the Cardinals have a few options to fill it. Riley O'Brien, who showed flashes of electric stuff last season, could be the first man up to grab that spot. However, he also has some command issues that could be a concern.
If O'Brien struggles or if the Cardinals prefer a veteran presence, they could turn to Ryne Stanek, a newly signed major league free agent. Stanek has experience in every role in the bullpen and could provide versatility for the coaching staff. However, his high-velocity fastball doesn't always find its target, and this could be a risk for the Cardinals.
The bullpen also includes Ryan Fernandez, who failed to build on a great 2024 season, and the Cardinals hope he can regain his form. The Cardinals also selected Matt Pushard during this year's draft, and he will have to stay on the major league roster or be offered back to the Marlins. Pushard has shown some quality stuff in the minors and could make an early impression on the St. Louis coaching staff.
Additionally, left-handed reliever Justin Bruihl could find his way into a John King role, hoping for more success than King had in a disappointing 2025 season. The eighth man spot in the bullpen is sure to be a revolving door, as the Cardinals look to keep the bullpen fresh and give other arms a chance to shine.
Gordon Graceffo, Chris Roycroft, Nick Raquet, and Andre Granillo have all seen major league time and will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The current alignment is sure to change, especially with the potential trade of JoJo Romero, and the rotation is also a storyline with a trickle-down impact on the roster. With the acquisitions of Richard Fitts, Hunter Dobbins, and Dustin May, the Cardinals have a few options for the rotation, and Andre Pallante and Leahy could be fighting for spots or moved back to the bullpen for now.
The Cardinals' bullpen is a work in progress, and with the potential trades and roster moves, it's sure to be an exciting and unpredictable ride. Who will step up and shine? Who will be dealt away? The answers may surprise you.
