The Cardinals bullpen could be a fluid group on the team in 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals have been working to balance their roster this offseason in preparation for their top-to-bottom rebuild.
The Cardinals traded many of their established veterans in 2025 in efforts to build assets for the future. Closer Ryan Helsley, starting pitcher Sonny Gray and first baseman/catcher Willson Contreras. St. Louis acquired several minor league players and major league starting pitchers Richard Fitts and Hunter Dobbins in the respective deals.
The Cardinals have balanced their trades in free agency by signing veteran players to short-term and/or cheap deals.
St. Louis signed starting pitcher Dustin May to a one-year, $12.5 million deal earlier this offseason with the reported intention of potentially dealing him at the 2026 trade deadline for more assets, should he have a bounceback season.
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The Cardinals added another veteran to their bullpen Friday and signed 34-year-old right-handed reliever Ryne Stanek to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with a $6 million club option for 2027.
Following the deal with Stanek, the picture of St. Louis' bullpen in 2026 has become a lot clearer.
According to FanGraphs' depth chart projections, here's how the Cardinals' major league relievers shape out in '26: right-handed pitcher Gordon Graceffo in low-leverage; righty Matt Pushard, southpaw Justin Bruihl, right-hander Ryan Fernandez and Stanek in middle-leverage spots; right-handed pitcher Matt Svanson as the set-up man and left-hander JoJo Romero and righty Riley O'Brien as the closer options.
With those projections, St. Louis' bullpen seems pretty straight forward. There's also the chance Kyle Leahy, who's been a reliever for his entire career to this point, could make several appearances at reliever. He's expected to convert to starting pitcher but Hunter Dobbins is currently recovering from a torn ACL and there will need to be a spot made on the starting rotation when he returns.
O'Brien could also be the Cardinals' full-time closer based on other trades made by the organization this offseason.
Romero has been linked to various trade rumors throughout this offseason, alongside third baseman Nolan Arenado and second baseman (and 2025 All-Star) Brendan Donovan.
Based on whether St. Louis trades Romero, and potential returns for an Arenado or Donovan deal, the bullpen can look even more different going into next season.
Romero posted a 2.07 ERA and struck out 55 batters in 61 innings pitched across 65 appearances in 2025. He had eight saves in nine opportunities.
O'Brien had a 2.06 ERA this past season and fanned 45 hitters in 48 innings pitched across 42 outings. He had six saves in nine opportunities.
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