The St. Louis Cardinals didn’t just tweak around the edges this offseason-they tore it down and started reshaping the foundation.
After a disappointing 78-84 finish in 2025 and a fourth-place showing in the NL Central, the front office made it clear: it’s time for a new direction. And under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, they’ve committed to a full-scale reset.
Bloom, who previously led baseball operations in Boston, has wasted no time putting his stamp on this Cardinals roster. Gone are several of the team’s veteran cornerstones-Sonny Gray, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and Wilson Contreras were all moved in a flurry of trades that signaled a hard pivot toward the future.
That’s a lot of leadership and production out the door in one offseason, and it’s not without its risks. But Bloom’s vision is starting to take shape, and some around the league are already giving him credit for having the conviction to make bold moves.
“We don't know exactly how this is going to turn out, but the direction he has taken with this team, that is the proper direction,” said MLB insider Ken Rosenthal on Foul Territory. “The moves he has made so far have been pointing toward a better future.”
That future is now firmly tied to the Cardinals’ farm system and their ability to develop the next wave of talent. And in return for those veteran deals, St.
Louis has significantly bolstered its organizational pitching depth. It’s not just about adding arms-it’s about adding the right arms.
Chaim Bloom is going in the proper direction with the Cardinals, says @Ken_Rosenthal.
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 3, 2026
"This is what they need to do, at this moment in time, in their evolution as an organization." pic.twitter.com/kgrfyLgoKN
Young, controllable pitchers who can form the backbone of a new era at Busch Stadium.
But here’s the trade-off: while the long-term outlook may be improving, the short-term is going to be a challenge. As CBS Sports’ Dayn Perry put it, the Cardinals “have greatly improved the organizational pitching reserves, both in terms of quantity and quality, but have also greatly diminished their chances of relevance in 2026 and, very likely, 2027.”
That’s the reality of a rebuild. You can’t have it both ways.
You either push for contention or you reset the clock-and the Cardinals have clearly chosen the latter.
Still, there are reasons for optimism, especially if you’re a fan of player development. One name to watch closely is JJ Wetherholt, a top shortstop prospect who could be a key piece of this rebuild.
With Donovan now out of the picture, there’s a clearer path for Wetherholt to get regular playing time, and evaluators are high on his upside. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel noted that Wetherholt’s “infield fit, standout approach and contact, 20-20 upside” make him a strong candidate to translate minor league success quickly to the big-league level.
That’s the kind of prospect profile that can change the tone of a rebuild quickly-if he hits the ground running.
For now, the Cardinals are a team in transition. There will be growing pains, no doubt.
But this isn’t a half-hearted retooling. This is a full-on reset, led by an executive with a clear plan and the backing to execute it.
Whether that plan pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Cardinals are betting big on the future, and they’re not looking back.
Spring Training kicks off later this month, and with it comes the first real glimpse of what this new-look roster might become. Keep an eye on the young arms.
Watch how Wetherholt handles the spotlight. The rebuild is underway-and the next chapter in Cardinals baseball is about to begin.