The St. Louis Cardinals have made a strategic move to bolster their bullpen by acquiring Jorge Alcala from the Boston Red Sox. Despite a challenging season, where he recorded a 6.64 ERA over 40.2 innings with a concerning 12.1% walk rate, his potential remains appealing due to a fastball that can exceed 100 mph. Comparatively, other elite relievers like Emmanuel Clase and Josh Hader boast significantly better walk rates.

Additionally, the Cardinals secured Anthony Veneziano from the Miami Marlins. Veneziano's performance this year shows a more respectable 4.74 ERA across 21 innings. With JoJo Romero as the only lefty available following John King's injury, Veneziano is expected to make an immediate impact in Triple-A before potentially joining the big leagues. These acquisitions reflect the Cardinals' intent to refine their relief options amidst a season of significant trades.