The St. Louis Cardinals’ bullpen has taken a step forward over the past month and now ranks 12th in Major League Baseball in WAR. While the unit is trending upward, the Cardinals must be considering the option of adding reinforcements to strengthen it for the stretch run.
One name that has circulated in trade rumors in recent years is Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks. A St. Louis native, Fairbanks has been a highly effective bullpen arm for the Rays. Before the season, he appeared on the Foul Territory podcast and hinted that St. Louis could be a potential trade destination.
But with the Cardinals already possessing youthful pitching depth and established veterans in the bullpen, why would they look outside the organization?
The team has been developing Gordon Graceffo as a starting pitcher. With several rotation spots potentially opening due to expiring contracts, Graceffo is likely to move back into a starting role next season. While he has shown some promise at the major league level, he has exclusively pitched as a starter this season for Triple-A Memphis. Given that, he could be optioned back to Triple-A if the Cardinals acquire a veteran reliever who commands a spot in the bullpen.
The Cardinals and Rays have completed multiple trades in recent years, including the deal that brought Andrew Kittredge to St. Louis prior to last season. This established trade relationship could make it easier for the Cardinals to pursue Fairbanks.
Fairbanks would be a clear upgrade over a younger arm like Graceffo. He currently has eight saves and a 2.50 ERA, making him a reliable option in high-leverage situation, particularly on nights when closer Ryan Helsley is unavailable due to consecutive appearances.
To acquire Fairbanks, the Cardinals would likely need to part with some mid-tier prospects. However, with Fairbanks under contract for the remainder of this season and a team option for next year, the Cardinals could form a formidable late-inning duo with Helsley this year and potentially next season as well, depending on Helsley’s free agency.