SIGNING: Former Cardinals Closer Giovanny Gallegos Finds New MLB Home

He'd acted as closer, and a top high-leverage option out of the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen over the previous three seasons, but a disastrous 2024 led the Cards to DFA Giovanny Gallegos. He's now latched on with the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins are signing Giovanny Gallegos to a minor-league deal, per @ByRobertMurray

He was recently DFA'd by the Cardinals pic.twitter.com/zw1KsRrqm1
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 6, 2024

Gallegos, 32, entered this season with a career 3.29 ERA over 315 innings, and 45 saves, most of them over the previous three years. But he struggled mightily this year, to the tune of a 6.53 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP, while doubling his career walk rate, to 4.4 BB/9.

He was free to find himself a new opportunity after St. Louis designated him for assignment recently, and he'll now get a chance on a minor league contract with the Twins. For now, he's been assigned to Triple-A St. Paul, and if he can get his act together, he could be a superb add to the Minnesota bullpen down the stretch.

The Twins are currently on a nice run, with a 5-game winning streak going into Tuesday night, pulling them to within 3.5 games back of the 1st place Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central, while also holding down the 3rd Wild Card spot.

The Twins also bolstered their bullpen with the acquisition of reliever Trevor Richards from the Toronto Blue Jays at the deadline. He can pitch in all situations, from starting to middle relief to high-leverage, late-game. He's holding batters to a .189 average this season.