The starting rotation for the St. Louis Cardinals is in much better shape.

After one of the worst seasons in team history, St. Louis began the summer with the goal of adding at least three starters. The Cardinals did just that, acquiring Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson.

Although the Cardinals are in a better position, they still have a lot of work to do. Because of their strong offensive, St. Louis has a great potential to make some noise in the National League Central.

St. Louis’ additions to the rotations certainly raise the club’s floor but another area the team needs to improve is the bullpen. The Cardinals have made it known that they are turning their focus to the bullpen and one player who could make sense to nab in free agency is former Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees fireballer Keynan Middleton.

St. Louis’ had the 23rd-ranked bullpen ERA and landing someone like Middleton would be the perfect place to start in improving it. The fireballer began the 2023 season with the White Sox and eventually landed with the Yankees. Overall, he finished the season with a 3.38 ERA in 51 appearances. He shined after the trade deadline, though, and logged a 1.88 ERA with the Yankees in 12 appearances.

The 30-year-old wouldn’t cost too much and has a projected market value of just over $7 million according to Spotrac. He would be a very intriguing pickup. His advanced metrics were off the charts last season.

The free-agent bullpen market has been extremely slow this offseason but will heat up soon. A move for Middleton would be a very good place to start for St. Louis.