The St. Louis Cardinals have made it clear this offseason: the focus is on the future.
After shedding several key pieces and signaling the start of a rebuild, the front office isn’t standing pat. Despite the youth movement, there’s still a push to add major league talent-specifically in the outfield.
President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has his eye on bolstering the Cardinals’ outfield depth, and he's not limiting the search to just one path. Whether it's through free agency or a trade, Bloom is actively exploring ways to bring in a new face-ideally one who can balance a lineup that currently leans heavily to the left side of the plate.
That pursuit isn't coming out of nowhere. St.
Louis had been in the mix for Austin Hays before he landed with the White Sox. And Bloom has previously stated his intent to add a right-handed bat to help diversify the offense.
The need is real, and the clock is ticking.
Where the Cardinals Stand Now
The current outfield picture in St. Louis is dominated by left-handed hitters.
Lars Nootbaar and Victor Scott II are both projected starters, and Nathan Church is another lefty option in the mix. Alec Burleson, though now listed as the team’s first baseman, has logged innings in both corner outfield spots.
Jordan Walker is the lone right-handed bat among the group with meaningful big-league experience, but he’s yet to recapture the form that made his 2023 rookie campaign so promising. That leaves the Cardinals with a lineup that’s not just young and unproven-it’s also unbalanced.
The recent signing of Nelson Velasquez to a minor league deal adds some depth, but he’s more of a lottery ticket than a sure thing. Velasquez has flashed potential, but he hasn’t shown the consistency needed to lock down a major league role.
Slim Pickings on the Market
With spring training approaching, the options are thinning. Free agents like Randal Grichuk and Miguel Andújar are still out there, and either could make sense on a short-term deal. Grichuk, in particular, fits the mold of a low-risk, high-reward signing-someone who could contribute early in the season and potentially be flipped at the trade deadline if things go well.
There’s also the trade route. One scenario that’s been floated involves taking on part of Nick Castellanos’ contract from the Phillies.
Castellanos is owed $20 million this season, and if the Cardinals are willing to absorb some of that salary, they might be able to pry away a prospect in return. It’s the kind of creative move that fits a rebuilding club looking to stockpile future assets.
No Rush, But No Time to Waste
The Cardinals aren’t expected to contend in 2026, so there’s no pressure to make a splashy move. But there is value in finding a veteran who can bring some stability to the outfield and potentially mentor the younger players. More importantly, adding a right-handed bat could help create a more competitive lineup day-to-day.
With the market drying up, Bloom may need to move quickly if he wants to land someone who can make a meaningful impact-whether that’s a bounce-back candidate like Grichuk or a trade piece with some upside.
Rebuild or not, the Cardinals still have holes to fill. And with the outfield looking thin on experience and offensive balance, it’s clear the front office isn’t done making moves.