St. Louis’ bullpen has improved this season but still could use some work

The St. Louis Cardinals’ bullpen has improved this season, but there is still space for progress.

St. Louis presently has the 16th-best bullpen ERA in baseball (3.88). Last season, the Cardinals’ bullpen placed 23rd, with a 4.47 ERA. Things have improved, but the Cardinals could still use some additional seasoned depth.

Mychal Givens, a former reliever with the Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and Miami Marlins, just became available and could be a good fit for the Cardinals.

According to MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams, Givens, who signed a minor league contract with the Marlins for the 2024 season, has recently triggered an opt-out option and will become a free agent.

“Veteran right-handed reliever Mychal Givens triggered an opt-out clause in his deal with the Marlins, MLBTR has learned,” Adams told reporters. “Givens received his release and is now a free agent. Givens signed with the Fish back in mid-March.

“He only appeared in two spring games after signing and began the season with the club’s Triple-A affiliate in Jacksonville. He showed some early rust when he was hammered for five runs in 1 1/3 innings in his maiden start, but he has since improved; in his last 5 2/3 innings, he has allowed one run and has an 8-to-1 K/BB ratio. Following that terrible start, Givens still has an unappealing 7.94 ERA after 11 1/3 innings.

He may not have gotten off to the start he hoped for this season, but he is a nine-year big league veteran with a career 3.47 ERA. If the Cardinals want to add more veteran depth, they likely could sign Givens for cheap at this point.