The St. Louis Cardinals were the last team in Major League Baseball that had not made a single free agent signing this offseason. On Thursday, that finally changed.
The Cardinals signed veteran reliever Phil Maton to a one-year contract, boosting what was a very powerful bullpen in 2024 and replacing the recently departed Andrew Kittredge.
The back end of the bullpen now features Maton, All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, and left-hander JoJo Romero. Katie Woo of The Athletic recently revealed the terms of Maton’s deal with St. Louis.
“Maton’s signing is for $2 million, per sources. This represents the first major-league signing of the offseason/spring for St. Louis, the last of 30 teams to do so,” Woo tweeted. “Maton will throw a couple of live BPs to start, but said he’s ‘completely built up.”‘
This past offseason was a painful one for Cardinals fans. They were led to believe that the organization was going to do a “reset.” However, management went back on their word and accomplished next to nothing. Nolan Arenado wasn’t traded, and St. Louis surprisingly held onto Helsley despite him entering the final year of his contract.
But at the very least, they have finally made a move that directly impacts the Major League roster, and while they are not expected to contend in 2025, Maton could be a trade candidate at the deadline and bring back a few prospects from teams looking to make a push for the postseason.
Maton went 3-3 last year in 71 appearances with the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets, posting a 3.66 ERA and recording three saves. He should fit in nicely with the Cardinals core of relievers early on in the season.
It will be interesting to see if he’ll remain with the team the whole year or ultimately be traded at the deadline.
More MLB: Cardinals sign ex-Mets reliever to one-year deal, boosting bullpen
