The St. Louis Cardinals have played solid baseball so far this season, but one glaring issue continues to hold the team back — the bullpen. While St. Louis entered Tuesday with an impressive 23-17 record, the relief corps has struggled to consistently protect leads, ranking 23rd in Major League Baseball with a 4.65 bullpen ERA. If the Cardinals hope to remain competitive throughout the season and potentially contend for a playoff spot, strengthening the bullpen should become a priority sooner rather than later.
Fortunately for St. Louis, the answer may not require a blockbuster trade or a major financial commitment. Instead, the organization could look toward free agency for an experienced veteran capable of adding depth and stability to the pitching staff. One intriguing option still available is veteran right-handed reliever Chad Green, who previously pitched for both the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Green has built a respectable career as a reliable bullpen arm. Across 382 major league appearances, the veteran owns a strong 3.43 career ERA and has gained plenty of experience pitching in high-pressure situations. His postseason résumé is also notable, as he has recorded a 3.95 ERA in 19 playoff outings. That kind of experience could provide value to a Cardinals bullpen that has lacked consistency at times this year.
Although Green’s recent seasons have been somewhat uneven, there is still reason to believe he could contribute. During the 2024 campaign with Toronto, he appeared in 53 games and posted a solid 3.21 ERA, proving he could still be effective against major league hitters. However, his 2025 season did not go nearly as smoothly, as he struggled to a 5.56 ERA across 45 appearances. Prior to that, he had mixed results after returning from injury, including a 5.25 ERA in 12 outings during 2023 and a more encouraging 3.00 ERA in 14 games in 2022.
Despite the inconsistency, the Cardinals may view Green as a worthwhile low-risk project. The organization has developed a reputation for helping pitchers improve and maximize their potential. Young arms like Michael McGreevy have shown progress under the team’s system, and St. Louis could believe it has the resources to help Green rebound from his rough 2025 season.
Another factor working in Green’s favor is his experience pitching in demanding environments. Spending years with both the Yankees and Blue Jays means he is familiar with pressure-packed games and intense fan expectations. That veteran presence could be beneficial for a Cardinals bullpen that still needs leadership and dependable innings.
At this point in the season, quality relievers are rarely available on the open market, which makes Green an intriguing opportunity. Rather than committing to a guaranteed major league role, the Cardinals could offer him a minor league contract and allow him to rebuild his value in Triple-A. If he performs well, St. Louis could then promote him to the major league roster and potentially gain an affordable bullpen upgrade without sacrificing prospects or payroll flexibility.
For a Cardinals team that already possesses talent throughout much of its roster, making a small but smart move like signing Green could help address one of its few weaknesses and strengthen the club moving forward.
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