The St. Louis Cardinals have taken a strategic step to bolster their bullpen during a rebuilding phase by signing right-hander Ryne Stanek to a one-year contract. This move comes after Stanek’s challenging season with the New York Mets, making him a low-risk, high-reward addition for the Cardinals, who do not anticipate immediate contention for a division title.
In the previous season, Stanek struggled, posting an ERA over five and experiencing a significant drop in his strikeout rate from 27.8% in 2024 to just 22.7%. Yet, this presents an opportunity for the Cardinals to reshape his potential. The organization hopes that with the right guidance, particularly in fine-tuning the execution of his fastball—which averaged 98.5 mph last season—the 34-year-old can become an effective reliever once again.
The Cardinals are taking a calculated gamble, not only with Stanek but also with other veterans they are adding to the roster, like starting pitcher Dustin May. The idea is to develop these players into trade assets by mid-season should they perform well. There’s a possibility that if Stanek rebounds and the team exceeds expectations, the Cardinals might reconsider their stance on dealing him at the trade deadline, which would be viewed as a positive dilemma in what is projected to be a transitional year.
In embracing this approach, the Cardinals aim to create a more competitive bullpen while simultaneously fostering opportunities for player development and trade assets, reflecting a well-rounded strategy for the upcoming season.