"He can take the burden off of Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Fernandez" — Cardinals insider optimistic on Shawn Armstrong despite tough stint with Rays

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired Shawn Armstrong, a right-handed relief pitcher, from the Tampa Bay Rays. Cardinals’ insider JD Hafron pointed out the potential Armstrong could bring to take some load away from Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Fernandez.

The comments about Armstrong's potential impact came from Hafron on the "Locked on Cardinals" podcast.

"They're hoping they get good things out of Shawn Armstrong and that he can take the burden off of Andrew Kittridge and Ryan Fernandez," said JD Hafron (Timestamp — 10:10)

"Shawn Armstrong is a pitcher who, if he can regain his form from 2023, could be a valuable asset for the Cardinals," said JD Hafron (8:35),

Hafron's analysis suggests that the optimism among the Cardinals concerning Armstrong is not merely based on his success in 2023 but also because of their specific need in their bullpen. The primary relievers for St. Louis have been Kittredge and Fernandez, but their constant overuse can be dangerous, making Armstrong’s potential contribution more crucial.

If Armstrong returns to his 2023 shape, then it would be pivotal to stabilize the bullpen as well as enable Kittredge and Fernandez to be deployed in more strategic situations, thus making a stronger team overall.

Despite Armstrong's tough stint with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024, the Cardinals believe they can count on him scoring for the team, because of his experience and previous achievements.

Cardinals Trade Dylan Carlson to Rays for Veteran Reliever Shawn Armstrong

Just before the MLB trade deadline, veteran right-handed reliever Shawn Armstrong was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Carlson to the Tampa Bay Rays. This move is in tandem with the Cardinals' new acquisition of right-hand pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham in a three-sided deal, suggesting the team is targeting its bullpen and lineup depth.

The 33-year-old Armstrong brings experience to the Cardinals' bullpen, though his 2024 numbers — 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 38 appearances — are less than stellar. Despite these numbers, Armstrong's underlying metrics — a 29.8 percent chase rate and 23.4 percent strikeout rate — show potential.

Carlson, once the Cardinals’ best prospect, is on the decline due to injury and inconsistency. After a successful start to his career that saw him finish third in voting for NL Rookie of the Year 2021, his performance has declined steadily. His injuries have included wrist and thumb injuries in 2022 and ankle surgery again in 2023.

The second half of the season will see both teams hoping their new acquisitions can return to form — Carlson with the Rays and Armstrong with the Cardinals.