The St. Louis Cardinals opened their trade deadline business on Sunday with the subtraction of a bullpen stalwart, setting in motion events that are likely to culminate in a significant reshaping of their pitching staff prior to Tuesday’s 5:00 PM deadline. Right-hander Giovanny Gallegos was designated for assignment and replaced on the active roster by fellow righty Kyle Leahy. The move refreshes available innings for a bullpen that has been heavily taxed in recent days, but crucially, also opens up a spot on the team’s 40-player roster for increased deadline flexibility. “Very tough conversation,” Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said. “I have a ton of respect for Gio. He’s thrown some meaningful pitches for this organization from the time we got him in the trade [in 2018]. He’s taken the ball a lot, and he’s always said yes. He’s been extremely competitive, and a big part of that clubhouse when it comes to just modeling what it looks like to be a leverage reliever.” Gallegos led the National League in both appearances and innings pitched by a reliever from the start of 2019 through the end of 2023. Despite flagging results this season – he departs with a 6.53 ERA in 21 appearances and following a stint on the IL with a shoulder impingement – he has been a cornerstone reliever who has pitched in nearly every role a bullpen has to offer. Having been designated for assignment, the Cardinals would ordinarily have seven days to either trade Gallegos or see him claimed on waivers by another team. Tuesday’s deadline, though, functionally gives the team two days to find a trade partner in an attempt to recoup an asset or to lessen the financial burden that would come with offering Gallegos his release. The Kansas City Royals, in search of relief help at a reasonable price point, are perhaps the highest team in the waiver claim order who would have interest in Gallegos, though the belief is that they would prefer to work out a trade in order to avoid paying all that remains of this season’s $5.5 million salary and the $500,000 buyout due on next season’s team option. “He’s a grinder and he works hard,” reliever JoJo Romero said of Gallegos. “It’s not gonna be hard for him to find a job.” Gallegos departs St. Louis with a 3.36 ERA and 44 saves in his 291 relief appearances as a Cardinal. Acquired in the deal that saw Luke Voit sent to the New York Yankees at the 2018 deadline, he pitched his way into prominence after being called up in 2019 to pitch in a regular season series in his native Mexico. At his best, Gallegos pairs a sharp, plunging slider with pinpoint command of a low-90s fastball, creating a difficult tunneling effect that hitters have historically had trouble squaring up for hard contact. He has also been more than willing to take the ball when asked, a trait that has increasing value in an environment in which relievers have heightened awareness of their usage and an occasional hesitance to push their bodies in a way which could risk future earnings. The Cardinals, for several years running, have been able to structure their bullpen around stable innings from the affable Gallegos, building out from that bedrock. “This is a guy that took care of his body extremely well,” Marmol said. “Never wanted to not be available. You can count on him in any situation, no ego, was strictly here to help however we saw fit, from day one he was here until just a few minutes ago.” The Cardinals informed Gallegos of the decision shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday as they continue to work through their deadline process. Saturday’s blowout 14-3 loss to the Nationals saw subpar performances from both Matthew Liberatore and Chris Roycroft, both of whom have minor league options that would have allowed the Cardinals to retain team control while still recalling Leahy. Marmol said that the upside offered by the current repertoires of those pitchers tipped the scales toward keeping them active and sending out Gallegos, who also pitched Saturday, but both the timing and the roster implications suggest further moves in the offing. The relief market began to move in earnest over the weekend, with the Los Angeles Angels trading Carlos Estévez to Philadelphia and the Tampa Bay Rays trading Jason Adam to San Diego. The Cardinals remain engaged in talks for relief additions, including with the Chicago White Sox over former Redbird John Brebbia. The team also plans to pursue an additional starting pitcher as well as right-handed hitting outfield depth as they scramble to shore up a flagging roster that is mired in a tough stretch and at risk of falling back in a tight playoff race in the National League. Marmol said on Saturday that the team’s current goal remains unchanged – they intend to contend with the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central crown. Entering play Sunday, St. Louis trailed Milwaukee by six games in the standings. Meaningful additions will be necessary to bridge that gap.
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