The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a deal with free-agent reliever Phil Maton, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The contract is worth $2 million with additional bonuses possible. Maton split time between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Mets last season, performing better with the Mets with a 2.51 ERA in 28 2/3 innings. He will likely fill a middle relief role in the Cardinals’ bullpen as they potentially enter a rebuilding stage. If Maton has a strong first half of the season, he may become a trade candidate, similar to the high-demand for relief pitchers seen last season.
Maton’s performance in the first half of the season could lead the Cardinals to consider trading him and fellow pitcher Ryan Helsley to contending teams in exchange for prospects. The reliever market was particularly active last year, with teams paying a premium for bullpen help. The Cardinals could also opt to retain Maton, as he comes at a relatively low cost. With his strong performance in New York, there is potential for Maton to be a valuable asset to the Cardinals’ bullpen this season.
The market for relievers in Major League Baseball has been significant in recent years, with teams willing to pay top dollar for quality bullpen arms. Maton’s signing with the Cardinals adds to this trend, as teams look to solidify their pitching staff with reliable options like Maton. His experience with both the Rays and Mets last season provides the Cardinals with a versatile pitcher who can contribute in various relief roles throughout the season. As the Cardinals potentially enter a rebuilding phase, signing players like Maton to short-term contracts could benefit them in the long run.
As the MLB offseason continues, teams are looking to make strategic moves to improve their rosters for the upcoming season. The Cardinals’ acquisition of Maton is part of this larger trend, as teams assess their needs and make targeted signings to address key areas of their team. Maton’s performance in the first half of the season will be closely monitored, as his success could lead to additional opportunities for the Cardinals to improve their roster through trades or other transactions. With a focus on building a competitive team, the Cardinals are positioning themselves for success in the upcoming season.
