Cardinals Ownership Signals a Strategic Shift - But Don’t Call It a Rebuild
The St. Louis Cardinals are entering a new era - younger, leaner, and with an eye on the long game.
But don’t expect anyone in the front office to slap the word “rebuild” on it. Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. made that clear during a candid conversation with reporters, pushing back gently but firmly on the idea that the franchise is in teardown mode.
“When you say ‘rebuild,’ it’s ‘build,’” DeWitt Jr. said. “I don’t know about rebuild.”
That distinction matters. It’s not just semantics - it’s a glimpse into the mindset of a franchise trying to reorient itself without losing its identity.
The Cardinals aren’t blowing things up; they’re recalibrating. With Chaim Bloom now steering the baseball operations ship, the focus is on draft capital, development, and patience - a measured, modern approach for a team that’s long been known for consistency and tradition.
“We’re on the same page with what [Bloom] plans to do,” DeWitt Jr. added. “Don’t give up draft choices, try to accumulate them. You know, it could take some time, hopefully not long, and we’re excited.”
That optimism is being tested by a confluence of challenges - on the field and off. The roster is younger and more unproven than it’s been in years.
The payroll is split nearly evenly between players wearing the Birds on the Bat and those playing elsewhere. And behind the scenes, the team is navigating a murky future for its local TV broadcasts.
The Cardinals, like several other MLB teams, are facing uncertainty with their regional sports network deal. President Bill DeWitt III acknowledged the disruption, but emphasized that fans shouldn’t expect to miss a pitch - even if the channel changes.
“From an internal business standpoint, it’s fairly disruptive,” DeWitt III said. “We’re trying to figure out whether we do another deal with FanDuel Sports and have the status quo, albeit at a revised rights arrangement, or move over to MLB Media, which a number of teams have done.”
Both options are still in play, but either way, the team is preparing for a new media landscape - one that could reshape how Cardinals baseball reaches its loyal fanbase.
That uncertainty comes at a time when the club is already tightening its financial belt. Revenue is down at the gate and from media rights, and the front office is leaning into a period of reduced spending. That’s not an easy sell in a city where expectations are always high, but the DeWitts are framing it as part of a bigger plan - one that’s less about quick fixes and more about building a sustainable core.
“It’s hard to quantify, to say what would success be,” DeWitt Jr. said. “We’re building, and success is a winning season and getting our core to do well.”
Identifying that core - the young players who will carry the franchise forward - is now one of Bloom’s top priorities. But that’s no small task in today’s MLB, where player development is as much about navigating market dynamics as it is about scouting and coaching. The upcoming expiration of the collective bargaining agreement in 2026 only adds more uncertainty to the mix, with a potential lockout looming and competitive balance squarely in the spotlight.
“Competitive balance is a huge issue, probably the commissioner’s primary issue heading into the agreement,” DeWitt III said. “It’s probably one of the more significant [labor agreements] we’ve experienced, just because that disparity has exacerbated over the years.”
That widening gap - between small and big market clubs, between teams with massive TV deals and those left scrambling - is reshaping the league. And the Cardinals, long a model of mid-market success, are trying to adapt without losing their footing.
Ownership, too, is preparing for the long haul. While the DeWitts have kept the details of their ownership group mostly private, there have been quiet sales of minority shares in recent years. Those sales have brought in modest capital, but the message from the family is clear: the DeWitts aren’t going anywhere.
“Our family’s - count my father - been in baseball a long time, and I think it will continue. That’s the plan,” DeWitt Jr. said.
“I’m getting to an age where I’m not going to be around forever. Bill the third is at a perfect age to continue on for a long time.”
And there may be another generation waiting in the wings. “Probably fourth underneath him coming along somewhere,” he added with a smile.
It’s a reminder that while the Cardinals are facing a moment of transition, they’re leaning on continuity - not just in leadership, but in philosophy. The DeWitts have been here before.
The climb from the doldrums of the '90s to the sustained success of the 2000s and 2010s wasn’t accidental. It was built on a foundation of smart decisions, steady hands, and a deep connection to the fanbase.
Now, that foundation is being tested again. But there’s a quiet confidence coming from the top - a belief that the strategy is sound, even if the path forward isn’t entirely clear just yet.
“Our fans are smart,” DeWitt III said. “I’ve heard some things this weekend already that many of the fans are glad that our strategy has clarified and is very focused, and it’s very intentional... There’s a sense of relief that we’ve embraced the clarity of it and are doing everything we can in support of that strategy.”
For now, the Cardinals are playing the long game. It may not look like the high-flying contenders of seasons past, but make no mistake - they’re building.
Not rebuilding. And they’re betting that the foundation they’re laying now will pay off sooner rather than later.