3 star free agents Cardinals can sign when the lockout ends

By Mark Powell | Dec 4, 2021

Dominican Albert Pujols of the Leones del Escogido is seen during a Dominican League baseball game against the Toros del Este at the Quisqueya stadium in Santo Domingo, on November 3, 2021. - Pujols made his debut in the league of his country on Sunday. (Photo by Erika SANTELICES / AFP) (Photo by ERIKA SANTELICES/afp/AFP via Getty Images) /

3 of 3

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 21: Closer Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks at the baseball after giving up a two-run home run to Wilmer Flores of the San Francisco Giants in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Cardinals: Can Kenley Jansen alone fix bullpen?

Jansen can’t be the only Cardinals’ bullpen move, but he’s a start.

Giovanny Gallegos, Alex Reyes and T.J. McFarland are a start, but the Cardinals still lack a lockdown closer they can depend on come playoff time. Kenley Jansen has that name notoriety, and the postseason resume to back it up. Just last season he had a 2.22 ERA, 1.043 WHIP and 38 saves to boot.

FanSided’s own Robert Murray details Jansen’s free agent expectations just over a month ago, and why the Cardinals are a fit:

"Jansen, 34. is going to land a lucrative multi-year extension this offseason and is unlikely to return to the Dodgers for that reason. That price is likely to take the Cardinals out of that bidding – they have so many other pressing holes on the roster to address – but it would behoove them to check in on Jansen to see if they can make an agreement happen."

It’s hard to forget Reyes’ and manager Mike Shildt’s blunder in the 2021 NL Wild Card game, but the closer on the other side of that matchup could be the answer to any Cardinals’ bullpen woes in 2022.

Next. 3 moves Cardinals should make after missing on Max Scherzer. dark

Home/St. Louis Cardinals