The St. Louis Cardinals may be eyeing a surprise bullpen move in free agency: a reunion with veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge. Critics and analysts are increasingly urging the club to pursue him, pointing to his past success in St. Louis and his capability in high-leverage spots.
Kittredge, who most recently pitched for the Chicago Cubs, spent the 2024 season with the Cardinals and posted impressive numbers — including a 2.80 ERA across 74 appearances. His familiarity with the organization, including having been acquired under front office structures now under new guidance, makes him a logical target.
One advocate, Curt Bishop of SB Nation, argues the Cardinals’ bullpen could benefit from a reliable veteran presence, especially one who already “knows the system.” With Helsley, Maton, and Matz gone, the club’s bullpen depth has taken a hit.
There are financial questions. Kittredge’s one-year deal last season with the Orioles was reportedly for $10 million, including salary and a team option, and his performance has had ups and downs. That kind of contract could be a hurdle for a rebuilding squad trying to pick its spots.
Still, proponents argue he’d be a relatively inexpensive way to bolster late-innings depth. Even if St. Louis doesn’t contend immediately, they could view him as a short-term veteran fix — and potentially flip him at the deadline for assets if needed.
Another plus: Kittredge has ties to the current front office. When he was brought to the Cardinals, the deal had fingerprints of Chaim Bloom, who is now one of the architects of the club’s direction. That preexisting relationship could make negotiations smoother.
On the flip side, his more recent stints have been mixed. After leaving St. Louis, he posted inflated ERA numbers with the Orioles and Cubs, which may temper enthusiasm from teams worried about regression.
At the moment, the call to reunite with Kittredge remains speculative. But with bullpen holes and a desire to stabilize the bullpen during a roster rebuild, it’s a name that’s drawing louder attention than many expected.
