The St. Louis Cardinals are stepping into a new era under the guidance of their freshly appointed President of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom.
This offseason has seen a significant shift, with Bloom making bold moves by trading away key veterans from the 2025 roster. Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras have taken their talents to the Boston Red Sox, while Nolan Arenado now calls the Arizona Diamondbacks home.
Additionally, the Cardinals' sole 2025 All-Star, Brendan Donovan, was sent to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for promising switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje.
With these departures, the Cardinals find themselves in a challenging position, lacking a clear star presence. FanGraphs' Dan Szymborski offered a rather grim projection for the team, likening their potential floor to the low expectations set early in Willy Wonka's factory tour. It's safe to say the outlook isn't rosy.
Could the Cardinals defy the odds in 2026? Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report seems skeptical, placing them among five teams he considers "already in trouble" for the season.
Despite Bloom's track record of developing talent during his time with the Red Sox, expectations remain tempered. For a fanbase accustomed to winning seasons, the prospect of losing 90-plus games is a tough pill to swallow.
Yet, it's rare for a team to be entirely devoid of talent. The Cardinals still boast some quality players, particularly in their lineup.
However, they risk becoming the first St. Louis team to lose 95 or more games since the days of Miller Huggins in 1913.
One bright spot in the lineup is JJ Wetherholt, whom manager Oliver Marmol has identified as a potential leadoff hitter for Spring Training. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel even highlighted Wetherholt as a contender for NL Rookie of the Year earlier this month.
While the forecast for the Cardinals in 2026 appears bleak, it's hard to imagine them sinking to the levels of the Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, and Washington Nationals. The season ahead will test the resilience and potential of this restructured team.