Cardinals Sign Phil Maton to One-Year, $2 Million Deal

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed veteran right-handed reliever Phil Maton to a one-year contract, ending their offseason inactivity as the last MLB team to make a free agent signing. Maton, who posted a 3.66 ERA over 71 appearances for the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays in 2024, is expected to bolster the Cardinals' bullpen, which recently lost Andrew Kittredge. The Cardinals designated pitcher Bailey Horn for assignment to accommodate Maton on their 40-man roster. Maton's signing reflects a commitment to enhance the team's pitching depth as they prepare for the 2025 season, although there are questions about the effectiveness of other bullpen candidates. The team has faced scrutiny for its lack of moves this offseason, but Maton's addition is seen as a positive step. His performance will be closely monitored, especially regarding potential trade value at the deadline.