3 free agents Cardinals will regret missing out on

Kenley Jensen

One of the Cardinals’ top needs this offseason was to get a top-tier, effective closer. At 34-years-old, Kenley Jensen is still fitting that bill.

Last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jensen threw 38 saves and 86 strikeouts in the 69 games he appeared in for the club he spent his entire 11 season career.

It’s believed the Cardinals did have some interest in the righty with 350 career saves. The Atlanta Braves swept in and signed Jensen to a one-year contract worth $16 million.

The Cardinals do not have a set closer going into this season. Giovanny Gallegos will likely take the reigns as a closer again after impressing as he closed games for the Cardinals in 2021 after Alex Reyes lost the job late in the season.

The Cardinals have a young bullpen and while Gallegos excelled as closer toward the end of the 2021 season, he’s been more of a set-up man. Having a veteran arm of Jensen’s caliber would have provided some security for the ‘pen.