Some pitchers take the league by storm right away. While the others, take a long path, floating between teams, displaying flashes of resilience, but never really putting it all together. They struggle, adjust, and grind hard through the decades, searching for that perfect rhythm. And if people start to doubt that aspect, they flip the script.

That’s Phil Maton for you! Right-handed pitcher, also known as “Spin Rate,” is ready to head towards the St. Louis Cardinals, for a $2 million, one-year major league deal. This move, announced on March 13, 2025, has fans buzzing, particularly since Maton has profound connections to Central Illinois—making this a bit of a homecoming. Did anyone have this on their offseason bingo card? Certainly not.

Maton brings it all—being 6 feet and 206 pounds, he brings significant experience, control, and a wicked spin to the Cardinals bullpen. And if it rings any bells for you, it’s none other than his brother, Nick Maton, who is also making cuts in pro baseball.

To make room for him, the Cardinals have designated lefty Bailey Horn for assignment. Maton has had quite an unpredictable journey. If his late-season hot streak is any indication, the Cardinals might have just pulled the most underrated signings of the offseason.

This isn’t just another deal for the Cardinals; it’s a calculated move to strengthen their pitching staff and shake things up for this season. Will signing Maton be the game-changer they have been looking for? We won’t have to wait too long to know. One thing we know for sure: this contract just made the NL Central a lot more interesting.

Cardinals bet on Phil Maton’s late-season dominance

Maton, turning 32 later this month, was one of the enhanced relief arms who was available in free agency. He had one of an up-and-down 2024 seasons. He kicked off with the Rays, recording a 4.58 ERA in 40 appearances. But the tables turned when he was traded to the Mets on July 9th. Maton delivered an exceptional 2.51 ERA in his 31 outings. This helped the Mets in their NLCS run.

The Cardinals witnessed that late-season dominance and calculated their move. Signing Maton to a one-year deal, they bet on his skills to strengthen their bullpen after they lost Andrew Kittredge to Baltimore. Maton was drafted in the 20th round by the San Diego Padres in 2015. His early years were all about floating between teams, struggling with a 4.76 ERA in his first five seasons. In 2022, it all changed with Housten. He had a strikeout rate (25.2%) and walk rate (8.2%) that remained stable, but his results refined drastically. Over the past three seasons, he has recorded a firm 3.50 ERA in 206 games.

With over 415 career appearances and a proven record for reliability, Maton isn’t just another addition to the bullpen; he is a proven arm with significant playoff experience. Looking back at his performance with the Mets, the Cardinals have landed one of the offseason’s sneakiest signings.