Ryne

Stanek

Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told reporters the deal is now official. The hard-throwing 34-year-old middle reliever fortifies St. Louis’ bullpen after recording an underwhelming 5.30 ERA — 4.40 FIP — 1.57 WHIP and 58/32 K/BB ratio across 56 innings for the Mets last year. He’s been a durable innings-eater, making 55 appearances or more in each of the past five seasons, and has some experience in high-leverage spots. He isn’t a threat to close with the Cardinals but it wouldn’t be shocking if he wound up vulturing the occasional save from Riley O’Brien or JoJo Romero.

Financial teams have not been disclosed as of yet, but it’d be a surprise if this wasn’t a one-year deal. Stanek forged a disappointing 5.30 ERA in his time with the Mets in 2025, but the 34-year-old still throws hard and can generate whiffs. He’ll have a chance to be a high-leverage option for St. Louis in 2026.

Stanek, 34, has had several teams showing interest in him as of late, including the Cubs. The 34-year-old right-hander would have a chance to be a high-leverage option for St. Louis in 2026, but it seems a little unlikely he’d be competing for saves.

The report from North Side Baseball’s Matthew Trueblood here is extra interesting, because it suggests the Cubs are looking for just one more reliever on a major league contract. If that’s the case, one would think they should try to do much better than the 34-year-old Stanek, who has finished with ERAs of 4.09, 4.88 and 5.30 while pitching for contenders the last three seasons. That said, his stuff numbers are still very good, and the Cubs might think they have a fix for him.

With Edwin Diaz having had worked on Monday night, Mets’ manager Carlos Mendoza turned back to Stanek while nursing a one-run lead in the ninth on Tuesday. He walked the tightrope — allowing a leadoff single to Logan O’Hoppe and a two-out single to Nolan Schanuel — but ultimately retired Mike Trout on a pop out to first base to end it. He has now recorded two saves in the Mets’ last three ballgames and holds a 4.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 38/18 K/BB ratio across 34 2/3 innings on the season.

The Mets were being cautious with Edwin Diaz, who secured a save on Saturday, so he was not available today. Stanek started the frame by allowing a double to Alex Call, then got a groundout before CJ Abrams tied the game with a single. After a walk, Pete Alonso committed a throwing error on a ball hit by Luis Garcia, and Abrams came around to score the winning run. Stanek has now blown his last two save chances when Diaz is not available, and the Mets may need to re-think that strategy.

The Mets called on Stanek for the save with Edwin Díaz unavailable following a hip cramp in his last appearance on Wednesday. He allowed a triple and single which set the stage for the Mets to eventually lose this game. Stanek took the blown save and the Mets are certainly hoping Díaz will be ready to pitch soon.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza downplayed concern about the issue following Wednesday’s dramatic walk-off victory. Díaz tossed a scoreless ninth inning in a tie ballgame before leaving with a trainer in the ensuing frame. It doesn’t appear to be a serious issue, but it’s a situation fantasy managers should monitor in the coming days. He’ll presumably undergo further evaluation and testing to determine the severity of the issue. It would likely be some combination of Ryne Stanek, A.J. Minter, Reed Garrett or Max Kranick handling the closing duties if he needs some time off.

Stanek got the call to protect a two-run lead in the final frame with closer Edwin Díaz unavailable after throwing 34 pitches combined in the previous two days. He got Jonah Bride to fly out to center field, struck out Eric Wagaman and got Griffin Conine to line out to end the contest.

The deal, which was agreed to on Wednesday, is now official. Stanek, 33, also has the potential to earn an additional $500,000 in incentives. He’ll join the ranks of an improving setup corps in front of closer Edwin Diaz in 2025, though his fantasy value will be limited mostly to leagues that count holds.