The Cardinals have spent 2026 showing real signs of life in the first year of their rebuild under Chaim Bloom, but the work ahead is still obvious. St. Louis is younger, deeper in the system and trending in a better direction, yet the roster still has holes that need attention this winter if the club wants a legitimate shot to end its playoff drought in 2027.
That means change is coming. The back end of the rotation, the bullpen and possibly third base all stand out as areas that need to be addressed, and with additions likely on the way, a few familiar names could be on the outs as the season closes.
Nolan Gorman looks like one of the clearest candidates to move on. The 26-year-old was supposed to get his big opportunity this year with Nolan Arenado out of town and regular run at third base, but the bat never came around.
Gorman is hitting .186, and the production has slipped for several seasons now. He broke out in 2023 with 27 homers and 76 RBIs, then followed with 19 home runs in 2024, 14 in 2025 and just nine in 2026.
Even though he remains under team control for two more seasons, the fit has started to look shaky.
Luken Baker is another name who may be reaching the end of the line in St. Louis.
He was useful in 2025, putting up 1.4 WAR in 112 games while hitting 11 homers and slashing .230/.272/.363. This season has been a different story.
In 80 games, he’s at .215/.267/.312 with four homers and 12 RBIs. With Leo Bernal expected to be the club’s starter in 2027 and other young options such as Jimmy Crooks in the minors, the Cardinals have reason to lean younger when they sort out the roster.
Ryan Stanek’s situation is a little different, but the math still points toward a possible departure. He opened 2026 slowly, then pitched better after the break, and now owns a 4.15 ERA in 68 appearances.
The catch is the $6 million club option for 2027. At that price, it does not sound like a likely return.
In Other News...
Cardinals Fans Will Never Forget What This Scary MLB Injury Brought Back
A scary scene in Chicago on Tuesday quickly turned into a reminder that baseball injuries can linger in a fan bases memory long after the original moment fades. Alex Bregman, the Cubs starting third baseman, was struck near the left eye by a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle, and the early prognosis remains unclear. There was at least one small break in the bad luck, though, as the ball bounced before it reached him, which may have lessened the force of the impact.
For Cardinals fans, the sight likely stirred thoughts of Juan Encarnacin, whose 2007 injury remains one of the most jarring moments in recent team history. That incident ended his career and still stands as a sobering example of how quickly a routine baseball play can turn dangerous. Bregmans situation is still developing, but the resemblance is hard for St. Louis followers to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Are Starting To Feel Better About That Brendan Donovan Trade
When the Cardinals moved Brendan Donovan in a three-team deal with Seattle, the return was always going to be judged over time, not in the moment. St. Louis came away with Jurrangelo Cijntje, Tai Peete, Colton Ledbetter and two draft picks, giving the organization a package built around upside and future value rather than a single established big leaguer.
Tai Peete has given the deal some early life at Double-A Springfield, where he has been one of the more encouraging performers in the Texas League Championship Series, including a five-hit game. Meanwhile, Donovan has been limited to just 39 games for the Mariners this season because of injuries, which has only sharpened the spotlight on what the Cardinals got back and whether the swap may end up looking better for St. Louis than it did when it was made. [Read more 🡒]
Ivan Herrera's Cardinals Future Suddenly Looks Far Less Certain
Ivan Herrera entered the season looking like a catcher with a clear path forward in St. Louis, especially after staying healthy and getting steady playing time. Instead, his bat has backed up, and that matters for a Cardinals team that has been trying to sort out its long-term picture behind the plate while keeping an eye on the next wave of talent.
Leonardo Bernals early offensive showing in his rookie debut has only added to the pressure, with the possibility he could be the clubs starting catcher in 2027. Add in strong minor league seasons from Rainiel Rodriguez and Jesus Baez, and Herreras hold on the role starts to look a lot less secure than it did just a short time ago. [Read more 🡒]