The St. Louis Cardinals, who have endured a two-year postseason absence, are overhauling their approach to constructing their roster. This offseason, they will not be engaging in an extensive spending spree in free agency. Instead, they are prioritizing the development of their minor league talent in order to bolster their chances of mounting a strong challenge in the 2025 season.
Low-Key Offseason Expected for the Cardinals
Organizational Changes
The day after the Cardinals’ disappointing 2024 season ended, the organization announced several changes. Among them was signing Chaim Bloom as the next president of baseball operations starting in the 2026 season. The current president John Mozeliak will step down after the 2025 season. The two will work together on the job through next season.
Along with the shift, the team owner Bill Dewitt Jr. and team president Bill Dewitt III announced a refocus and re-investment to player development. The organization wants to re-organize their priorities from acquiring talent to growing it.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on drafting and developing our own players. It’s clear that we need to make significant changes to get back to this model,” Dewitt Jr. said.
Among the changes will be Bloom adding his personnel to the player development side. Longtime director of player development Gary LaRoche is retiring. That leaves Bloom with the task of leading the search for his replacement. Bloom said he wants to look for innovation and use people already in the organization as he rebuilds this department.
“There is no area of the game that just stands still. So, if you want to get out front you should be looking at everything,” Bloom said.
Likely Payroll Decrease Coming
The Cardinals had the 12th-highest MLB payroll in 2024 at $175.9 million. A large sum of that is already expected to come off the books with the departure of former MVP first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. The team will part with Goldschmidt and his $26 million price tag.
Beyond reading the tea leaves of the player development refocus, Mozeliak confirmed payroll will look different next year in the end-of-season press conference.
“I would anticipate seeing payroll go down because of these investments,” Mozeliak said.
The Cardinals hold team options for veteran starters Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn, who are slated to earn $12 million and $11 million, respectively, in 2025. However, considering their advancing age – both will be 37 or older next season – and the team’s desire to trim payroll, it’s likely that St. Louis will decline their options, paving the way for their departures.
The Cardinals’ 2025 rotation landscape is poised for change, as Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz, and Erick Fedde enter the final year of their contracts. With Mikolas owed $17.6 million, Matz $12.5 million, and Fedde $7.5 million, St. Louis may explore trading these veterans to replenish their farm system with younger talent.
Shedding some of the $60.6 million owed to five pitchers in their 30s could free up funds for the Cardinals to explore free agency. However, don’t expect any big splashes like the big deal with Sonny Gray from last offseason. The team is more likely to fill out its roster with cheaper veterans. They could also kick the tires on free agents who have been down on their luck in recent seasons.
What the Roster Might Look Like
As the Cardinals prioritize youth, a promising core of talent is poised to take center stage. Shortstop Masyn Winn has already cemented his status as a franchise cornerstone. Versatile infielders Alec Burleson and Brendan Donovan, still on rookie deals, offer flexibility and upside. The team remains bullish on outfielders Jordan Walker and Lars Nootbaar, who could blossom into stars with continued development. Thomas Saggesse, the organization’s No. 4 prospect, will get an extended infield audition in 2025 after a tantalizing late-season call-up.
“When you think about it, we ended up winning 83 games. There was a positive. Young players were a big part of that,” Dewitt Jr. said. “I think it’s an exciting team to watch and to follow and to see the other young players coming up. If I were a fan, I would be kind of excited for the future, I see what we have, I see what’s coming and you know change can be good.”
The Cardinals’ core stability is further bolstered by the long-term contracts of former All-Stars Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Gray, all secured through at least the 2027 season. This foundation provides a solid base for the team’s youthful influx.
Starting rotation could see the biggest changes
As the Cardinals consider rebuilding their starting rotation, a talented young core waits in the wings. Michael McGreevy impressed in his late-season cameo, while Andre Pallante, 25, solidified his spot in the 2025 rotation with a strong fill-in performance for the injured Matz. The Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, boasted a prospect-laden rotation, featuring four top-14 prospects: McGreevy (No. 10), Gordon Graceffo (No. 11), Sem Robberse (No. 12), and Adam Kloffenstein (No. 14). Additionally, top prospects Tink Hence (No. 2) and Quinn Mathews (No. 3) could make their MLB debuts in 2025.
Main Photo: © Joe Puetz-Imagn Images
