Cardinals Could Be Top Landing Spot For Five-Time All-Star Closer After Impressive Year
The St. Louis Cardinals have made it known that they plan to address their bullpen before spring training.
Pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training in less than two months and at this point, the Cardinals haven't improved the bullpen. St. Louis began the offseason by signing three starting pitchers and has improved the rotation.
Now, the club's next goal is fixing the bullpen. St. Louis had one of the worst bullpens in baseball last season so it could make sense to make a major move. One of the best relievers in baseball still is available in free agency so maybe it could make sense for the Cardinals to take a major swing.
Five-time All-Star Josh Hader has been one of the best closers in baseball over the last seven years and now is a free agent. He likely will land a massive deal this offseason possibly over $100 million, but he could be a perfect option for St. Louis.
The Cardinals entered the offseason linked to superstar pitchers like Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. All three are expected to get massive contracts in free agency, but the Cardinals aren't the ones giving them out. St. Louis still has money to spend. Why not use it on one of the best closers in baseball?
St. Louis struggled at the end of games last year and had the 10th-most blown saves with 28. Hader immediately could help fix that issue. He logged 33 saves last season and an eye-popping 1.28 ERA in 61 appearances.
He may be expensive, but if the Cardinals are serious about winning in 2024 they should go all-in for Hader.
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