Inside The Cardinals

One Of Cardinals' Top Priorities Should Be Signing $2.6 Million All-Star

Will the Cardinals bring the hurler back to St. Louis?
Patrick McAvoy|
Jun 28, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andrew Kittredge (27) throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images
Jun 28, 2024; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andrew Kittredge (27) throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images | Jeff Le-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals may not make any massive investments this offseason, but that doesn't mean that they can't add some pieces and be competitive in 2025.

One of the Cardinals' biggest strengths last season was the bullpen. The Cardinals finished sixth in the league with a 3.64 ERA. If the Cardinals want to have a chance to be competitive in the division in 2024, one of the best ways to do so would be to continue to bolster the bullpen.

A strong bullpen would lead to less reliance on the starting rotation and shorten games. Because of this, the Cardinals should make re-signing veteran reliever and former All-Star Andrew Kittredge a priority.

He made just about $2.6 million in 2024 and had a 2.80 ERA across 74 outings. Kittredge also logged a 67-to-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 70 2/3 innings pitched. He's still out there in free agency and likely wouldn't cost too much to bring back. Spotrac currently is projecting his market value to be $5.5 million over one year.

The Cardinals certainly could afford a deal of that nature. Kittredge proved he can have success in St. Louis in 2024 and formed a scary duo with Ryan Helsley. It makes a lot of sense to just run it back in that respect. The free agent bullpen market hasn't heated up too much yet so the Cardinals should dive in and get Kittredge before it does.

More MLB: Cardinals 7-Time All-Star Linked To Twins With Free Agency Heating Up

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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