Third base is shaping up as the Cardinals’ one real lineup puzzle heading into 2027, and that’s what makes Alec Bohm such an interesting name to watch if St. Louis decides to look outside the organization.
Right now, the rest of the roster picture is starting to come into focus. The outfield is expected to feature Jordan Walker, Joshua Baez and Nathan Church.
Leo Bernal should be behind the plate. In the infield, Alec Burleson, JJ Wetherholt and Masyn Winn appear to be part of the plan.
That leaves third base as the lone major question mark, with Thomas Saggese or Blaze Jordan looking like the most likely internal answers. Nolan Gorman, by the source’s read, should not be counted on there.
Jesus Baez could also enter the mix at some point in 2027 if his 2026 carryover holds.
That opens the door to an external addition, and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand put Bohm in the Cardinals conversation. Feinsand noted St.
Louis as a possible fit for the Philadelphia Phillies All-Star and wrote: "Are the Cardinals finally ready to move on from Nolan Gorman? St.
Louis had a cumulative .620 OPS from its third basemen, ranking 27th in the Majors," Feinsand wrote. "Gorman slashed .202/.289/.364 in 225 plate appearances at the hot corner, posting a negative fWAR for the second straight season.
With two years of arbitration remaining, it remains to be seen how Gorman fits into St. Louis’ plans, potentially opening the door for Bohm, a Nebraska native who grew up as a Cards fan."
Bohm, who is 30, can handle third base and also first in a pinch. His 2026 season produced a .249/.315/.383 line, a .698 OPS, 15 home runs, 88 RBIs and 29 doubles across 155 games. Those numbers dipped from 2025 in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS, though he did improve in home runs, RBIs and doubles.
Even with that decline, he still profiles as an upgrade over what the Cardinals got from the position. The question is whether St.
Louis will actually spend in free agency this winter. The market is thin, which makes Bohm one of the more appealing bats available, but also leaves the biggest obstacle exactly where it usually is: money.
The fit makes sense. The likelihood, at least right now, does not.
If the price comes down, that could change quickly. And if Bohm winds up on a short-term deal, he could even become a trade deadline chip.
The market will set the number, and if that number stays reasonable, the Cardinals should be in the conversation.
In Other News...
Cardinals Just Held Onto A Key Piece Of Their Progress
Rob Cerfolios rise inside the Cardinals front office has become one of the quieter signs of progress around the organization. Since joining St. Louis in 2024 as an assistant general manager, he has helped shape the clubs pitching development through both talent acquisition and the broader philosophy behind it, giving the team a clearer identity on that side of the game. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes work that does not always draw attention right away, but it has mattered in a system that has been trying to rebuild itself with more purpose.
Cerfolio recently interviewed for a position with the Oakland Athletics, a reminder that his profile has grown beyond St. Louis. But according to ESPNs Jeff Passan, the Cardinals are expected to keep him in place, which is notable for an organization that cannot afford to lose momentum in an area where it has started to see real traction. With the front office vacancy still open, Cerfolios importance only seems to be increasing, and it is not hard to imagine his name coming up for something even bigger inside the club. [Read more 🡒]
Jordan Walker Just Gave Cardinals Fans A Feel Good Reminder
Jordan Walkers rise back into the spotlight gave Cardinals fans something they have been waiting to see again: the version of him who looks like a centerpiece, not a question mark. After two difficult seasons in 2024 and 2025, he put together a strong 2026 campaign that included an All-Star nod and a big offensive line, finishing with 29 home runs and 102 RBIs.
The turnaround carried into the summer showcase stage, where Walker added another reminder of his talent by winning the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park. His performance put him in the mix for the Hank Aaron Award as a finalist, and for a Cardinals fan base that has tracked his development closely, it was a welcome sign that the promise is still very much there. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Front Office Test Other Teams Created
The Cardinals may soon be forced into some front-office housekeeping of a different sort, with John Mozeliak helping the Angels sort through their general manager search while St. Louis continues to build around a respected baseball operations group. For a club that has long leaned on continuity and internal development behind the scenes, the possibility of change in the executive suite is as real as it is familiar.
St. Louis has spent years banking on its front office depth, and now that depth is being tested by interest from other organizations. The club would prefer to keep its structure intact, but it also has to be ready to replace key voices if outside opportunities pull them away, whether through promotions from within or fresh hires from outside the organization. [Read more 🡒]