The St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for a big change in 2025. After tough seasons in 2023 and 2024, the team is looking to shake things up. John Mozeliak is stepping down from his role, and Chaim Bloom is taking charge of revamping player development, which has been ignored for too long.
This means the Cardinals won’t be bringing in new players to improve their roster for 2025. Instead, they’ll rely on current players getting better. They’ve decided not to keep veterans like Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson or make an offer to Paul Goldschmidt for next season.
While it’s not a complete overhaul like Houston or Baltimore did, the Cardinals are considering trading some veteran players. However, no-trade clauses make this tricky. Players like Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray want to stay put in St. Louis for now, but others might be open to moving if they see a chance at winning elsewhere.
Cardinals’ Winter Moves
Fans might think these changes are overdue as the team looks ahead with realistic goals. Ownership isn’t spending big on new talent but wants younger players with potential and control over their contracts.
Trading Nolan Arenado: Moving Arenado won’t be easy due to his contract’s complexity and no-trade protection. The Cardinals plan to discuss trades with him before making any decisions. Although he’s aging and showing signs of decline at bat, his defense remains strong, making him attractive to teams aiming for immediate success.
If Alex Bregman leaves the Astros, they might find Arenado’s pull-hitting style fits well with their field dimensions. While Arenado’s current market value may not match his contract worth $74 million over three years, including some cash could bring young talent back to St. Louis.
Trading Ryan Helsley: Helsley stands out as a valuable trade piece after an impressive 2024 season with a 2.04 ERA and 49 saves across six MLB seasons—all with the Cardinals—making him appealing despite nearing free agency.
Though unlikely to match past blockbuster closer trades like Aroldis Chapman’s move in 2016 (https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-trade-aroldis-chapman-to-cubs-for-four-players/), Helsley’s performance should still yield significant returns from contenders seeking reliable bullpen help.
Keeping Erick Fedde—for Now
Acquired last year during a three-player swap deal following his successful stint abroad (Korea), Fedde enters his final contract year offering promising mid-rotation potential at just $7.5 million—a bargain price given recent performances boasting impressive stats such as ERA+126 & FIP3:86 across starts shared between White Sox/Cardinals leading into ’25 season expectations where he holds considerable trade value if needed later down line come deadline time!
For now though keeping hold ensures maximizing chances competing within standings while balancing future interests alongside possible playoff relevance depending how things unfold early-midterm-wise; returning key figures Contreras & Gray helps solidify decision-making process regarding retaining Fedde short-term until clearer picture emerges around July/August timeframe when reevaluation occurs based upon team position relative postseason prospects then adjusting accordingly per circumstances dictate thereafter allowing flexibility adapting strategies dynamically responsive changing conditions encountered throughout course campaign itself ultimately determining outcomes achieved collectively together moving forward collaboratively towards shared objectives envisioned mutually agreed upon by all parties involved therein accordingly thereof…
As we wrap up our thoughts here today dear reader friends alike what do you make these developments unfolding before us right now?
