After missing their second consecutive postseason, the St. Louis Cardinals are parting ways with three players. On Thursday, general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the Cardinals will decline the 2025 options for Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, or Keynan Middleton. Mozeliak said the decision will give the Cardinals “maximum flexibility” as they begin their “reset” winter.
With Mozeliak set to step down at the end of the 2025 season, St. Louis is getting a head start on their upcoming rebuild. Katie Woo of The Athletic first reported that the Cardinals were unlikely to exercise Lynn’s one-year, $11 million option, nor Middleton’s one-year, $6 million deal. She had speculated that the team could retain Gibson for $12 million if they traded either Miles Mikolas or Steven Matz. Instead, the Cardinals will exercise their $1 million buyout and all three pitchers will enter free agency this winter.
Cardinals Make Payroll Cuts Ahead of Interesting Offseason
St. Louis is cutting payroll going into the offseason and removing these three from their books is just the beginning. Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was also informed that he would not be re-signed by the Cardinals in free agency. The futures of Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras and Ryan Helsley in St. Louis could also be in jeopardy.
“We have an understanding [of next year’s payroll],” Mozeliak said. “But we are still working through some things because there is still some uncertainty on what some of our revenue flows may look like. Ultimately, the direction we’re going is going to be creating a lot of opportunities for some of our younger players.”
With the World Series now concluded, the Cardinals have five days to make decisions on their club options for 2025. St. Louis is anticipated to be active this winter, focusing on rebuilding their farm system rather than pursuing high-profile signings. Mozeliak will start implementing the Cardinals’ rebuild next week during the general manager’s meetings in San Antonio, Texas.
Main Photo: © Joe Puetz-Imagn Images
