PITTSBURGH — His role has changed some since Giovanny Gallegos and the Cardinals initially had momentum for a contract extension, but that only added to the appeal of finalizing one.
Once the closer, now the setup man, and always utilized in a variety of high-leverage spots, the versatile right-hander Gallegos and the Cardinals finalized a two-year contract extension Monday afternoon. The deal covers all of Gallegos’ remaining arbitration-eligible seasons and includes a team option for 2025, which would otherwise be the 31-year-old relievers first crack at free agency.
“Right now,” Gallegos said, “with the extension my confidence is 100%, 200%.” Gallegos opened the season as the Cardinals closer and eventually yielded the ninth to All-Star Ryan Helsley. Still, Gallegos has tied a career high with 14 saves, and in 56 appearances he has a 2.91 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings. He has proved adept at handling assignments in the seventh, eighth, or multiple late innings. At his best, Gallegos gives the Cardinals a way to shorten games with Helsley by as many as three innings, and that will become apparent with the expected aggressive use of the bullpen in this weekend’s wild-card series.
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“He’s been used in multiple roles, (and) he’s excelled at all of them,” said John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations. “It’s invaluable. As you’re looking to develop a bullpen, obviously creating the most flexibility in it usually allows you to get through that 162. And then when you turn the page and have to play in a short series, having someone who can pitch in the eighth or ninth is very important. He has shown he can handle any of those roles.”
The Cardinals acquired Gallegos from the Yankees at the trade deadline in July 2018. He came with Chasen Shreve in exchange for Luke Voit going to the Bronx. The next season, Gallegos began his swift move toward the back end of the bullpen and a prominent late-inning role that peaked with 14 saves as the closer in 2021. This past spring, his agent and the Cardinals made progress on an extension – but ultimately he signed a one-year, $2.41 million deal to avoid arbitration, and extension talks only resumed recently.
Gallegos sought what Mozeliak described as “peace of mind.”
Financial details of the contract were not immediately known. Other relievers with similar service time would suggest a guarantee that could be around $15 million.
Gallegos beamed about finally getting the deal he sought completed.
“Since the day I got here, I wanted to stay here,” Gallegos said. “And my focus has always been to win. Let’s win. Let’s win together.”
Arenado scratch ‘precautionary’
Nolan Arenado was scratched from the lineup shortly before first pitch Tuesday night due to “precautionary” reasons, Mozeliak said. The team did not want him to “push through” any soreness or fatigue when it wasn’t necessary. Arenado took part in batting practice and the Cardinals’ full complement of infield drills for the first game of a series. Arenado said before the game that he expected to play in each game but have his time shortened – get a few at-bats and then get out as he prepped for the weekend playoff series.
