The St. Louis Cardinals didn’t exactly break the bank this offseason, but they may have just added a sneaky weapon to their bullpen with the signing of veteran reliever Ryne Stanek.

The deal? One year at $3.5 million, with a $6 million club option for 2027.

It’s a classic low-risk, high-upside move – the kind of bet a team makes when it believes it can unlock something others couldn’t.

Stanek, now 34, is no stranger to the big-league carousel. St.

Louis marks the sixth stop of his MLB journey, and most recently, he wrapped up a stint with the Mets after being acquired at the 2024 trade deadline. The numbers in New York weren’t pretty – a 5.47 ERA and a walk rate north of 12% – but there’s more to Stanek than just the back of the baseball card.

Let’s start with the fastball. Stanek’s heater still sizzles, regularly touching triple digits and making up 57% of his pitch usage last season.

It’s got the kind of late life and arm-side run that can make hitters uncomfortable – when it’s working. The problem is, when hitters do connect, they tend to do damage.

Opponents posted a .360 expected wOBA against it last year, and his overall hard-hit metrics weren’t much better. He ranked in the 23rd percentile in hard-hit rate (43.6%) and gave up an average exit velocity of 90.3 mph.

So why take the chance?

Because when Stanek’s right, he’s a legitimate late-inning weapon. We saw it in 2022 with Houston, when he posted a sparkling 1.15 ERA over 54 2/3 innings.

That year, he leaned more heavily on his splitter, especially against lefties, burying it low and away with conviction. Fast forward to 2025, and that pitch all but disappeared from his arsenal, replaced by an inconsistent sweeper that rarely found the zone and didn’t miss many bats.

The result? A .367 wOBA allowed to left-handed hitters and a whole lot of frustration.

If the Cardinals can help Stanek rediscover that splitter – or simply refine his pitch mix to better suit his strengths – there’s a real path back to effectiveness. Unlike some of the other bullpen additions this winter, like Rule 5 pick Matt Pushard or trade acquisition Justin Bruihl, Stanek brings legitimate high-leverage experience to the table. He’s pitched in big games, handled pressure, and has the raw stuff to be more than just a depth arm.

And then there’s the business side of it. The contract structure gives the Cardinals flexibility.

A $3.5 million salary for 2026 is modest for a veteran reliever with upside, and the $6 million club option for 2027 adds potential value if Stanek rebounds. That’s the kind of deal that could turn into a trade chip come July – especially if Stanek is pitching well and St.

Louis finds itself in seller mode. Teams are always looking for bullpen help at the deadline, and relievers with extra control years tend to fetch a premium.

Pair that with JoJo Romero – another potential trade asset nearing free agency – and the Cardinals could head into the 2026 deadline with two of the more attractive bullpen arms on the market. But for that to happen, they’ll need to help Stanek smooth out the rough edges: cut down the walk rate, get back to missing bats with the splitter, and maybe shelve the sweeper altogether.

It’s not a sure thing. At 34, Stanek is at the stage of his career where adjustments are harder to come by. But the arm talent is still there, and if the Cardinals can tap into it, this signing could end up looking like a steal – whether they keep him or flip him for future assets.

In a division where margins matter and bullpens can make or break a season, Stanek is a bet worth making.