Cardinals sign veteran LHP Kyle Ryan to minor league deal

The Cardinals signed veteran lefty Kyle Ryan to a minor league contract, per a team announcement. Ryan, represented by Frontline, will receive an invitation to major league spring training.

The Cards ought to be plenty familiar with Ryan, having watched the 30-year-old southpaw in the bullpen for the division-rival Cubs in each of the past three seasons. Ryan’s best year came back in 2019, when he logged a 3.54 ERA and 3.85 FIP with a 22.3% strikeout rate, 11.2% walk rate and huge 58.2% grounder rate in 61 innings.

While Ryan has scuffled with a 5.90 ERA in 29 frames since that time, he’s continued to post high-end ground-ball rates, which no doubt appeals to a St. Louis club that boasts an all-world defensive infield. Nolan Arenado, Paul DeJong, Tommy Edman and Paul Goldschmidt are among the game’s best at their respective positions, with each of Goldschmidt, Arenado and Edman winning a Gold Glove this past season.

Ryan’s fastball sits at just 89 mph, but he’s never logged a ground-ball rate lower than 46.9%. He’s allowed eight home runs over the past two seasons in those 29 innings, but even with that uncharacteristic spike in round-trippers, he’s still averaged just 0.99 HR/9 in his MLB career. In 218 innings between the Tigers and Cubs, Ryan owns a 4.05 ERA and 54.8% ground-ball rate.

The Cardinals kicked off the winter be re-signing left-handed reliever T.J. McFarland to a one-year contract, and southpaw Genesis Cabrera could very well have a bullpen spot locked down after a solid season of relief work. Well-traveled lefty Brandon Waddell is also on the 40-man roster, but he still has a minor league option remaining.