At the end of the day, the issue isn’t just about whether or not Ramaswamy should have gone barefoot in his home. It’s about how American society, and the media, perceive and label public figures of immigrant descent. It’s a reflection of the broader cultural struggle between maintaining one’s heritage while trying to fit into a society with very specific expectations.
As the controversy unfolds, Ramaswamy may find himself at the center of a larger cultural debate — one that goes beyond the question of whether going barefoot in your own house is appropriate. For now, he must decide how to navigate the complex terrain of American identity in an era where every action is closely examined and every choice has consequences.
BREAKING: Cardinals Seize Opportunity in the Transfer Season – Justin Bruihl Officially Joins St. Louis, Causing Turmoil for Bullpen. y1
In a surprising turn of events at the beginning of 2026, the St. Louis Cardinals made a trade that surprised both rivals and fans by officially acquiring left-handed shooter Justin Bruihl from the Cleveland Guardians for cash, opening up a potential turning point in their plans to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season.
The Cardinals confirmed in an official announcement that they acquired Justin Bruihl, 28, from the Guardians in a cash exchange. This is a rather unusual move, as Bruihl was only recently recruited by the Guardians and has not yet had the chance to establish a significant role on the team.
The Cardinals’ willingness to pay for a shooter with a history of transfers across multiple MLB teams shows they are actively seeking to strengthen their bullpen depth, particularly in the left-handed shooting group which is considered “thin” in their current roster.
Bruihl has appeared in 94 MLB games across five seasons, playing for teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays before joining the Guardians. In his career, he has a 2–2 record with a 4.72 ERA and has shot as both a starter and a reliever.
The 2025 season saw Bruihl make 15 appearances with Toronto, recording a 5.27 ERA in 13 2/3 innings and participating in a postseason game with the Blue Jays in the ALDS. These numbers don’t suggest an explosive shooter, but experts still see Bruihl as a bullpen component with potential, especially given his shooting versatility and ability to “force the groundball,” helping him cope with powerful groundball hitters.
To make room for Bruihl on the 40-player roster, the Cardinals designated for assignment (DFA) right-hander Zak Kent, who was only acquired through a waiver in December. Kent, 27, had an MLB appearance last season with a 4.58 ERA but was dropped to make way for rookie Bruihl.
This move shows the Cardinals’ willingness to eliminate options that don’t contribute enough to create opportunities for a bullpen boost—believing that Bruihl’s presence will bring more tactical flexibility to coaches and pitching coaches throughout the season.
Notably, the Cardinals sold off several big-time bullpen players last season, such as Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz, leaving them short of late-game shooting options—especially left-handed. Fans and analysts believe Bruihl’s arrival could partially fill that void, particularly given rumors that JoJo Romero might also leave the team.
If Romero does leave, adding a left-handed like Bruihl would be a timely effort to prepare for the unpredictable tactical scenarios of the 162 regular season games and potential playoffs.
Bruihl has had a rather inconsistent offseason. He was initially DFA-ed by the Toronto Blue Jays after being contracted, then given to the Guardians on December 17th, only to be DFA-ed again just three days later. Ultimately, the Cardinals acquired Bruihl on a cash trade, creating a lightning-fast trade cycle in recent weeks.
Some fans and observers believe this process is a clear reflection of the modern MLB market—where teams actively rotate their rosters to optimize costs, DAC (depth at cost), and bullpen rotation over the long season.
While Bruihl isn’t a big name or a daily star, this move could be a smart strategic piece for the Cardinals—a team looking to restructure its bullpen cost-effectively rather than with expensive blockbuster contracts.
The addition of an experienced left-handed shooter also opens up flexibility in matchups against strong teams in the NL Central and playoff contenders. If Bruihl can rediscover his early career form and receive the right tactical adjustments, the Cardinals could turn this “bullpen depth trade” into a surprisingly good deal next season.
