The Texas Rangers have strengthened their bullpen by acquiring veteran reliever Phil Maton from the St. Louis Cardinals. In return, the Cardinals received two pitching prospects—left-hander Mason Molina and right-hander Skylar Hales. This marks the third bullpen arm the Rangers have added at this year’s trade deadline, and the third reliever the Cardinals have dealt away.
The Rangers also included international bonus pool money in the deal, as confirmed in an official team announcement.
Phil Maton Bolsters an Already Strong Rangers Bullpen
Maton, who has served as the Cardinals’ primary set-up man behind closer Ryan Helsley, brings a strong résumé into a Rangers bullpen that already ranks fourth in MLB with a 3.37 ERA. In 40 appearances this season, Maton owns a 2.35 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 20 holds.
Texas also traded for starters Merrill Kelly from the Diamondbacks and lefty Danny Coulombe from the Twins—moves expected to deepen their pitching staff both in the rotation and the bullpen. Coulombe has posted a 1.16 ERA over 31 innings this season.
Currently tied for the final AL Wild Card spot and trailing by five games in the AL West, the Rangers are clearly pushing to contend. Maton, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season, is owed roughly $634,000 for the remainder of the year.
Cardinals Continue Prospect Haul with Molina and Hales
By sending Maton to Texas, the Cardinals added two more arms to their growing stable of young pitchers. Molina, ranked as the Rangers’ No. 28 prospect, is in Single-A, while Hales, ranked No. 29, is currently pitching in Triple-A. These two additions bring the Cardinals’ total to six new prospects acquired at the deadline—four of whom are pitchers.
Earlier, St. Louis traded closer Ryan Helsley to the Mets for right-handers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt, as well as infielder Jesus Baez. They also received corner infielder Blaze Jordan from the Red Sox in exchange for veteran starter Steven Matz.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak noted that while the team aimed to target young starting pitching, the returns were ultimately guided by available offers and perceived upside.
Overhauled Cardinals Bullpen Faces Uncertainty
With the departures of Maton, Helsley, and Matz, the Cardinals’ bullpen will see a significant shakeup. Previously ranked sixth in the league with a 3.54 ERA, the unit now turns to arms like left-hander JoJo Romero (2.04 ERA) and righty Kyle Leahy (2.78 ERA) to handle late-inning duties.
According to The Athletic’s Katie Woo, right-hander Gordon Graceffo is also in line to potentially take over closing duties. Graceffo has moved between Triple-A Memphis and the major league club this season.
While the Cardinals could explore veteran free agents, the most immediate bullpen reinforcements are likely to come from within their minor league system.
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