The St. Louis Cardinals wrapped up another disappointing season at 78-84, finishing fourth in the National League Central and 19 games behind division champion Milwaukee.
This offseason marks the first under Chaim Bloom, who was hired to lead baseball operations after longtime president John Mozeliak stepped down at the end of the regular season. With the franchise signaling a commitment to younger talent, Bloom faces critical decisions on how to reshape the roster.
Several veterans could be trade candidates, including third baseman Nolan Arenado, starter Sonny Gray and catcher Willson Contreras. All three hold no-trade clauses, meaning each would need to approve any deal. Arenado has already expressed openness to leaving and has indicated he would expand his list of preferred destinations. Gray was initially reluctant but plans to evaluate options this winter, while Contreras has said he is open to discussions but would prefer to stay in St. Louis.
One of the biggest questions is whether the Cardinals will be willing to absorb salary in trades — a move Mozeliak avoided but Bloom appears more flexible about.
“As far as cash being a lever on the trade front, that should never be off the table,” Bloom told The Athletic. “Obviously, you’d prefer not to do that, but you could end up in a situation where adding cash to make a preferred deal work just makes sense.”
For a team not expected to spend heavily in free agency, using payroll space as a trade asset could allow St. Louis to maximize returns on veterans, stockpile young talent and strengthen its farm system for the future.