Don’t Let April Push You Into a Bad Move

 
The Cardinal Chronicle
Armchair GM: Why Bruce Zimmermann Isn’t a 40-Man Move—Even Now
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

The injury to Richard Fitts created something every front office both values and fears—flexibility.

Two open spots on the 40-man roster isn’t just room. It’s opportunity. And how you use it says everything about your organizational philosophy.

That brings us to left-hander Bruce Zimmermann.

On the surface, he checks a lot of boxes.

Zimmermann, 31, has been sharp early at Triple-A Memphis—3.15 ERA, 28 strikeouts in 20 innings, a 1.15 WHIP. He’s throwing strikes, missing some bats, and doing exactly what you want a veteran depth arm to do.

He’s experienced. Durable. Left-handed.

And yet… this is exactly why you don’t make the move.

Let’s walk through it.

The Illusion of Need
Yes, Fitts’ injury thins the depth chart.

But the 40-man roster isn’t about plugging today’s hole—it’s about protecting tomorrow’s value.

Zimmermann is what he’s always been:
A high-floor, low-ceiling arm.

His career MLB numbers tell the story—5.64 ERA, modest strikeout rates, and a history of giving up the long ball. When the command is there, he survives. When it isn’t, big-league hitters don’t miss.

That profile doesn’t change at 31.

The Real Value He Provides
Zimmermann’s value to this organization is actually maximized right where he is.

He’s:

A steady Triple-A innings-eater
A plug-and-play emergency option
A stabilizer for Memphis’ rotation
And most importantly—
He’s available without commitment.

The moment you add him to the 40-man, you lose flexibility:

You burn a roster spot
You expose yourself to DFA risk later
You potentially block a younger arm who does have upside
That’s a steep price for a pitcher whose ceiling is a spot starter or long reliever.

The Cardinals Way—Depth with Discipline
This organization has always thrived when it stays disciplined.

Not reactive. Not emotional. Not chasing short-term fixes.

Zimmermann is exactly the type of pitcher you keep in your back pocket—not one you lock into your roster.

If you need him, you can get him.

If you don’t, you haven’t sacrificed anything.

That’s smart roster management.

The Bottom Line
Bruce Zimmermann is doing his job and doing it well, but the job he’s doing isn’t forcing your hand. It’s reinforcing your depth.

And sometimes, the smartest move a front office can make…is the one it doesn’t make.

Cardinal Chronicle in association with Gateway Sports