Former St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder Doesn't Believe Team Will Find Designated Closer

The St. Louis Cardinals are likely going to have a much different look in 2026 than they have in previous years.

This is due to the Cardinals being in a rebuild overseen by president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. Several multi-time All-Stars, including third baseman Nolan Arenado and starting pitcher Sonny Gray, have been linked in trade rumors.

There are many needs for St. Louis to fill in order to complete its roster rebuild. One order of business is to find a closer.

The Cardinals dealt long-time closer Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets at the trade deadline. And despite comments from the player that he expects St. Louis to reach out, another former team All-Star isn't confident St. Louis will be able to find a closer. At least this offseason.

Former outfielder Matt Holliday, who played with the Cardinals from 2009-16, recently appeared on the Cards Territory podcast and offered his opinion on St. Louis' closer situation.

"If I had to say right now, it would probably be a combination of who they have, probably situationally," Holliday said on the podcast. "I don't see them going out and signing somebody that you would bring in and say 'Here's our guy.' I don't know how many are out there, I haven't looked at the free agent market for closers. But I doubt they're bringing (Ryan Helsley) back. (Edwin Diaz) is probably not coming in. So I would guess it's probably by committee until somebody on the current staff sort of takes over that role and maybe stands out in spring training. Maybe you give a guy a go in the first week or two of the season. If he does well, he keeps it. If it's a little up-and-down, maybe you play matchups. ... I would suspect it's probably somebody on the staff this year and probably a group effort."

Currently, the most likely pitcher to takeover as the team's closer is left-handed hurler JoJo Romero. He posted a 2.07 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched across 60 appearances. He had eight saves in nine opportunities, which led the team among players on the roster at the end of this past season.

Helsley, despite not playing with the Cardinals after July 30, still led St. Louis in saves. He had 21 in 26 opportunities.

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