Though a bullpen arm isn’t generally an Earth-shaking acquisition, putting the right pitcher into the high leverage situation mix can make a big difference to win those close games the Cardinals have struggled to win this season.
So far, the stalwarts in the bullpen have been 33 year old rookie Seung-hwan Oh (1.82 ERA, .81 WHIP, eight holds), Kevin Siegrist (2.38 ERA, one save, three holds) and Trevor Rosenthal (3.50 ERA, nine of ten saves converted).
Who else might they pick up if former stars like Jonathan Broxton (5.06 ERA) don’t start performing up to their past norms? Righthander Blaine Boyer of the Milwaukee Brewers and Alexi Ogando of the Atlanta Braves are two candidates for a possible seventh inning role.
Boyer has a 2.03 ERA in 26.2 innings so far this season. He is pitching in some good luck as his FIP (fielding independent pitching which predicts ERA based on hits and walks) is 3.54, but perhaps this is just the way he gets batters out. Last season for the Minnesota Twins he sported a 2.49 ERA but 4.00 FIP. Certainly, the Cardinals notice his success, as he pitches for the NL Central Brewers. He is making only $950 thousand so he would be an affordable option.
Ogando, a veteran righthander, is earning $2M this year. The former Red Sox and Rangers pitcher has been the topic of many trade talks so far this season for the struggling Braves. Ogando was cruising along with a 2.52 ERA until his last two appearances. He allowed five runs while only getting four outs, spiking his ERA to 4.10. This was against the Los Angeles Dodgers who have scored on him the last three times he has faced them. Cost consideration likely makes Boyer the better option.
Next: Jhonny Peralta is their deadline acquisition