The Cardinals have only been in offseason mode for a few days, but Ryne Stanek’s club option is already shaping one of their first real bullpen choices.
Stanek has a $6 million club option for the 2027 season, and that price tag makes a pickup feel unlikely. He earned $3.5 million in 2026, and for a rebuilding club with a 35-year-old reliever, jumping that far up would be a tough sell. Spotrac currently pegs his projected market value at just under $3.5 million, which only adds to the case against exercising the option.
Still, there’s a real baseball argument for keeping him around. Stanek gave St.
Louis a steady presence in a bullpen that needed it. From April 30 through the end of the season, he posted a 2.84 ERA across 56 appearances.
That kind of reliability matters for a group the Cardinals are trying to rebuild.
If St. Louis does decide to bring him back, the bullpen picture gets a little cleaner.
Riley O'Brien, Gordon Graceffo, Justin Bruihl, Luis Gastelum, Cooper Hjerpe and Ryan Fernandez are all considered close to locks for the 2027 group, at least to start. Even with those names in place, the Cardinals would still have to add multiple arms.
Keeping Stanek would at least give them one spot already covered.
There’s also the financial side. Locking in a bullpen arm now helps down the road, but it also removes money that could be used elsewhere.
If the Cardinals turn down the option, there’s still a path to keep Stanek at a lower number. That would be the ideal outcome. But once the option is declined, he’s a free agent and free to sign anywhere.
The deadline is close, too. The Cardinals have to make the decision within five days of the World Series ending, which is Monday, Nov. 2.
If Stanek walks, St. Louis would suddenly have at least two or three bullpen spots to fill.
Either way, the Cardinals have to get the relief corps right this winter if they want any real shot at surprising people in 2027. Stanek’s option is the first one to watch.
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