The St. Louis Cardinals have made it clear: this is no longer the team of household names and perennial All-Stars.
With Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Brendan Donovan all shipped out, the Cardinals have hit the reset button in a big way. And while the front office may not be calling it a rebuild outright, the roster tells a different story.
What’s left is a group that’s young, unproven, and-at least for now-missing a veteran voice in the outfield.
New president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom isn’t sitting still, though. He’s actively looking to add a right-handed-hitting outfielder-someone who can balance out a lefty-heavy group and bring some experience to a clubhouse that’s suddenly short on it. Whether that player comes via free agency or trade is still up in the air, but with the free agent market thinning fast and other teams in the mix, the window to act is closing quickly.
The Cardinals aren’t alone in this search. The New York Yankees are also looking for a right-handed bat to round out their outfield.
With Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham bringing left-handed power to the corners and Aaron Judge and Jasson Dominguez batting from the right side, the Yankees have a bit more balance-but they’re still in the market for depth. That puts them in direct competition with St.
Louis for the few remaining options.
And let’s be clear: the pickings are slim. Miguel Andujar, Austin Slater, Randal Grichuk, and Tommy Pham are among the names still available.
None of them are game-changers at this stage in their careers, but each brings something to the table-whether it’s power potential, positional versatility, or a track record of handling big-league pitching. For a team like the Cardinals, who are likely more focused on development than contention in 2026, the right veteran could serve as a stabilizing force and a bridge to the next wave of talent.
The Cardinals’ current outfield mix leans heavily to the left side. Lars Nootbaar, Victor Scott, and Nathan Church all hit left-handed, leaving Jordan Walker as the lone right-handed bat in the projected starting group.
Nelson Velazquez has been added for depth, and there’s talk of giving infielder Thomas Saggese some outfield reps. But none of those solutions scream “reliable veteran,” and if Nootbaar isn’t ready to go at the start of the season-he’s recovering from surgery on both heels-the need becomes even more urgent.
A short-term deal seems to be the most likely route. Reports suggest the Cardinals are only willing to offer a one- or two-year contract, and they’re not looking to take on a significant salary.
That limits their options, especially if other teams-like the Yankees-are more aggressive in their offers. But it also makes sense given where St.
Louis is in its competitive cycle. This is about filling a gap, not building around a cornerstone.
Interestingly, the Cardinals’ current situation could work in their favor when it comes to attracting the right kind of player. Veterans who are looking for playing time-and maybe a chance to rebuild their value-might prefer St.
Louis over a more crowded, win-now roster like the Yankees’. There’s a path to regular at-bats here, and if someone performs well, there’s always the possibility of being flipped to a contender at the trade deadline.
That’s the kind of opportunity that can appeal to a player on a prove-it deal.
Chaim Bloom has already made his mark by restocking the farm system. Now, as the next generation of Cardinals gets its reps in the minors, he’s looking for a stopgap-someone to soak up innings in the outfield and help guide a young, evolving roster through what’s likely to be a challenging season. The pieces are still moving, but one thing’s for sure: the Cardinals aren’t done yet.