When the St. Louis Cardinals signed 32-year-old reliever Phil Maton to a quiet, one-year, $2 million deal in the offseason, few fans batted an eye. It was a classic low-risk move — a bullpen depth piece, some thought, maybe a stopgap until a bigger name came along.
But nearly two months into the 2025 MLB season, Maton hasn’t just earned his paycheck — he’s become a critical piece in a surging Cardinals bullpen and arguably one of the best-value signings across the entire league.
A Reliever With Something to Prove
Maton arrived in St. Louis with little fanfare. Coming off a solid, if unspectacular, 2024 campaign split between the Mets and Rays (3.66 ERA, 60 strikeouts in 64 innings), expectations were modest.
Now, he’s rewriting the narrative.
In 19 appearances so far this season, Maton has logged 17 innings with a 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts. But the raw numbers don’t tell the full story. He’s been manager Oli Marmol’s most trusted arm in high-leverage situations — stepping up consistently in late innings to shut down rallies and preserve slim leads.
A Hometown Dream Realized
The Paducah, Kentucky native grew up rooting for the Cardinals, idolizing legends like Mark McGwire. Now, Maton wears the red and white with pride — and is thriving in the moment.
“Ten-year-old me would be over the moon,” Maton told MLB.com. “I had all the Cardinals gear growing up. I remember this little red plastic locker with the team logo on it in my bedroom. To actually wear the jersey now… it’s surreal.”
Numbers Don’t Lie — Maton is Locked In
Analytically, Maton has made major strides. His walk rate, previously in the 33rd percentile last year, has rocketed into the 81st percentile. His strikeout rate has surged as well, now sitting in the 91st percentile — a massive leap fueled by tighter command and a subtle pitch mix adjustment.
He’s added over 2 MPH to his fastball, and it’s paying off. Hitters aren’t barreling the ball like they used to, and his chase rate has improved significantly. Simply put: he’s missing more bats and making fewer mistakes.
An Unsung Hero Holding It All Together
With the Cardinals holding a 24-20 record, just one game behind the division-leading Cubs, every win matters. The bullpen, once seen as a vulnerability, is turning into a quiet strength — and Maton is a big reason why.
While names like Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt dominate headlines, it’s Phil Maton — the unassuming reliever on a low-cost deal — who has become the glue holding late innings together.
Trade Rumors Already Brewing?
Maton’s performance hasn’t gone unnoticed. If the Cardinals falter in the standings, he’s likely to become a hot name at the trade deadline. Affordable, experienced, and effective relievers are always in demand for playoff contenders.
But Maton isn’t thinking about any of that right now.
“It’s a business, sure,” he said. “But I want to be here. I want to help this team win.”
From Underrated to Unmissable
Sometimes the biggest moves are the ones that don’t make headlines. In Phil Maton, the Cardinals may have found the unexpected hero they didn’t know they needed — and exactly the arm they can’t afford to lose.
