BREAKING NEWS: Cardinals Set To Add Bullpen Help Via Free Agency

The Cardinals have been open about their desire to bolster their bullpen. St. Louis is focusing on the relief corps now that they have met their goal of acquiring three starting pitchers.

President of baseball operations John Mozeliak stated this evening that the team is more likely to add to the bullpen through free agency than through trade (as reported by Katie Woo of the Athletic). That’s a little surprising given that the Cards have been open about their willingness to trade a position player — Mozeliak openly admitted yesterday that they’re taking offers on Tyler O’Neill — for pitching help.

Of course, noting that a free agent acquisition is more likely than a trade does not rule out the possibility of the latter. The front office is undoubtedly investigating both options. On the free agent front, St. Louis has been linked to Phil Maton, NPB closer Yuki Matsui, and old friend Jordan Hicks.

According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via X), the Cards have also discussed KBO pitcher Woo Suk Go. Go has been made available to MLB teams via the posting system by the LG Twins. Go, a 25-year-old righty, had a 3.68 ERA in 44 innings this season. He struck out an impressive 31.1% of batters faced but walked an alarming 11.8%.

Go has until January 3 to decide whether to join a major league club or remain in South Korea. He’s not expected to command the same level of contract as Maton or Matsui (and certainly not in the same ballpark as reuniting with Hicks). According to Roster Resource, the Cardinals’ payroll will be in the $180MM range. This is slightly more than this year’s estimated $177MM Opening Day total.

Mozeliak has previously stated that the Cards will keep their payroll consistent, implying that they are close to their budgetary limit. The front office head confirmed last night, unsurprisingly, that the Cards would not exceed the $237MM luxury tax threshold (via Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat). Roster Resource estimates the franchise’s CBT to be around $208MM, well below the base tax tier.