Cardinals Eye Playoff Push: Will Kittredge Be the Key Addition?

St. Louis, USA - The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves at a crucial juncture in the 2025 MLB season. Currently, the team is locked in a three-way tie for the final National League Wild Card spot, boasting a respectable record of 47-41. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the question looms: what moves will the Cardinals make to capitalize on their playoff hopes?

The Cardinals‘ approach to the upcoming trade deadline remains a mystery. They could adopt multiple strategies—becoming buyers, sellers, or somewhere in between. As highlighted by Yardbarker, the team is eager to reinforce its bullpen, particularly with the performance of Phil Maton being the sole free agent signing thus far.

New Addition to the Roster

In a recent development, the Cardinals have traded for Andrew Kittredge, a right-handed pitcher previously with the Tampa Bay Rays. This trade involved sending outfielder Richie Palacios to Tampa in exchange for Kittredge, a player familiar with the Cardinals, having had a successful stint with them in 2024 where he achieved a 2.80 ERA across 74 appearances. Kittredge is an intriguing candidate for the role of a late-game strategist, projected to pitch in critical situations as the team aims to solidify its postseason run. As MLB.com points out, Kittredge made a name for himself in 2021, boasting a 1.88 ERA and earning an All-Star nod.

Since signing a one-year, $9 million deal with the Orioles, Kittredge has had a rollercoaster season. He struggled initially, posting a 4.50 ERA over 18 games, but his potential remains clear given his previous success and the boost in performance following his return from Tommy John surgery.

Strategic Moves Ahead

As the trade deadline looms just over a month away, the Cardinals are navigating a tricky landscape. Although they are currently 2.5 games behind the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card race, there are hints of uncertainty surrounding the direction the team should take. Described as a „tweener“ team, the Cardinals‘ roster is a mix of prospects and seasoned players, and they are weighing the benefits of adding talent versus the necessity for future development.

According to ClutchPoints, the Cardinals have several valuable pitchers who could be on the trading block, including closer Ryan Helsley and starting pitchers Erick Fedde and Miles Mikolas. Each of these players is set to become a free agent following the season, adding complexity to potential deals. If the right opportunities arise, the Cardinals may decide to shake things up.

The upcoming schedule holds matchups against formidable opponents like the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds, which will be pivotal in assessing the team’s strengths and weaknesses. The front office’s commitment to long-term building—yet the desire for immediate success—creates a tantalizing tension for fans and analysts alike.

With Kittredge now added to the roster, the Cardinals might just have the firepower they need to navigate this critical period. Whether they choose to bolster their lineup further or make calculated trades remains to be seen. For now, they’re in a position to make the most of upcoming games as they push toward a playoff berth.