The St. Louis Cardinals have signed right-handed relief pitcher Phil Maton to a one-year deal. The team announced the signing early on Thursday. It is the first MLB free agency signing the Cardinals have made this offseason. The Cardinals designated left-handed pitcher Bailey Horn for assignment in a corresponding move.
Maton to be Veteran Presence in the Bullpen
This will be Maton’s fourth team in the last three seasons. Maton started 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays before being traded at the deadline to the New York Mets. Before that he spent three seasons with the Houston Astros. While with Houston, Maton appeared in five games of the 2021 World Series against the Atlanta Braves. He did not surrender a run in 5.2 innings pitched that World Series while the Astros ultimately lost to the Braves in six games.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old Maton pitched in 71 games last season between the Rays and the Mets. He posted a 3.66 ERA, a 1.109 WHIP, and a career best 18 holds. During the Mets stretch run Maton shined. Maton was unscored upon in 25 of his 31 games pitched for the Mets last season and recorded a 1.99 ERA over his final 42 games pitched. He struggled in the Postseason with the Mets. Across three series Maton pitched in six games and gave up seven runs in 6.1 innings pitched.
Maton could slide into the team’s set-up role after Andrew Kittredge left the Cardinals for free agency. Kittredge ultimately signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
Race for Final Bullpen Spots Gets Tighter
The Cardinals have a few sure things in their bullpen heading into the season. 2024 MLB saves leader Ryan Helsley will return to his closer role. Ryan Fernandez, JoJo Romero, and John King will likely return to the ‘pen as well. The Cardinals seem to like Matthew Liberatore as a long-term reliever in the bullpen assuming he doesn’t earn a starting role.
With Maton’s signing, this leaves two bullpen spots open. King, Romero and Liberatore (or Steven Matz if he ends up in the bullpen) are all left-handed pitchers. Six right-handed pitchers have a chance to crack the Opening Day Roster. Nick Anderson, Gordon Graceffo, Kyle Leahy, Roddery Munoz, Riley O’Brein and Chris Roycroft are all vying for the final two spots in the bullpen.
Main Photo Credits: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The post Cardinals Make First Major Free Agency Signing appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.