The Cardinals are going to look different in 2027, and not just because the offseason gives them a chance to add new pieces. There are also a handful of familiar names who may have already worn the St. Louis uniform for the last time.
That much is part of the reality in St. Louis right now: the front office should have room to make additions, and the winter market should bring in some help.
Eugenio Suarez, JoJo Romero, Paul Sewald and Shane Bieber are among the names the club has already been linked to as possible targets. The Cardinals need more talent coming in.
But when new pieces arrive, somebody often gets squeezed out.
One of the clearest candidates is Nolan Gorman. His major league track record has never really settled into something consistent, and he even found himself back at Triple-A during the 2026 season. At this point, a fresh start may be the best outcome for both sides.
Alec Burleson, meanwhile, is not expected to open 2026 as the Cardinals’ starting catcher, with Leo Bernal projected to get that job right away. Burleson brings value behind the plate, but the bat has not carried the same weight. With younger players moving up, the club may decide it’s time to move on.
Thomas Prieto is another name that fits this category. He appeared in 16 major league games in 2026 and hit .079.
He simply didn’t provide much offensive help during his time in the majors, and if St. Louis were to part ways with him, it would not be a major shakeup.
Ryan Stanek turned in a respectable year overall, finishing 2026 with a 4.02 ERA across 70 appearances. That number looks a little rough because of a few difficult outings early in the season, but he was generally dependable. Still, he has a club option for 2027, and it would be somewhat surprising to see the Cardinals exercise it.
JoJo Romero also figures into this winter conversation. He made 70 appearances in 2026 and posted a 4.23 ERA over 66 innings.
His season went up and down, and while he remains under team control, the bullpen is clearly in need of a reset. St.
Louis needs multiple arms, and that kind of overhaul usually forces hard choices.
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Cardinals Linked To A Power Bat Who Could Solve A Tricky Need
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