The St. Louis Cardinals are heading into a pivotal offseason, and it’s clear they’re not just tweaking around the edges-they're making wholesale changes.
After missing the playoffs for the third straight year and finishing fourth in the NL Central with a 78-84 record, the organization is shifting gears. With Chaim Bloom stepping in to replace longtime president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, the message is loud and clear: it’s rebuild time in St.
Louis.
And that rebuild? It’s starting with the trade block.
According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the Cardinals have emerged as the most active sellers on the market this offseason. They’re listening on just about everyone, and multiple teams are circling. Among the names drawing the most attention: Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, Lars Nootbaar, and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero.
Let’s break that down.
Brendan Donovan is arguably the most versatile piece in this group-an infielder-outfielder hybrid with a high-contact bat and defensive flexibility that makes him a perfect fit for a team looking to plug multiple holes. The Seattle Mariners are reportedly the frontrunners for Donovan, and it makes sense. They’re a club that values positional versatility and could use a lefty bat with on-base skills.
Willson Contreras, meanwhile, is a trickier case. He’s still got pop in his bat, but his contract and defensive metrics have made him a polarizing figure behind the plate.
The Cardinals took a gamble last offseason when they brought him in, and it hasn’t paid off the way they hoped. Now, they’re exploring ways to move on, even if it means eating some money in the process.
Nolan Arenado is the headline name here-and for good reason. He’s a 10-time Gold Glover and one of the most accomplished third basemen of his generation.
But at 34 years old and coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career-.237/.289/.377 with 12 home runs and an 87 OPS+ in just 107 games-his value isn’t what it used to be. He’s still owed significant money through 2027, though the Colorado Rockies are covering a portion of his 2026 salary.
The Los Angeles Angels are reportedly interested in Arenado, contingent on working out a buyout with their current third baseman, Anthony Rendon. That move would free up part of Rendon’s $38.5 million salary and potentially open the door for Arenado to step in at the hot corner in Anaheim. No deal is imminent, but as Rosenthal noted, Arenado’s market could heat up once top free-agent third basemen like Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suárez come off the board.
Lars Nootbaar is another name drawing interest, with the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly in the mix. Nootbaar brings energy, athleticism, and a left-handed bat to the outfield-traits that fit well with what the Dodgers typically look for. He’s also under team control, making him an appealing option for a contender looking to bolster its depth without breaking the bank.
JoJo Romero, the lefty reliever, might not have the name recognition of the others, but he’s quietly become a valuable bullpen piece. Left-handed arms with swing-and-miss stuff don’t stay on the market long, and Romero could be a sneaky pickup for a team looking to shore up its relief corps.
All told, the Cardinals are signaling a clear intent to reset. After years of trying to patch holes and stay competitive, they’re finally embracing a longer-term vision. It’s not just about moving contracts-it’s about reshaping the core of the roster and building something sustainable for the future.
For fans in St. Louis, it’s a tough pill to swallow.
This is a franchise with a proud tradition and high expectations. But sometimes, the hardest step is the first one-and right now, the Cardinals are taking it.