The St. Louis Cardinals are clearly leaning into a reset, and Sunday's trade of Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox is the latest sign that this roster is being reshaped from the ground up.
Contreras, who led the team with 20 home runs last season, was one of the few reliable sources of power in a lineup that struggled to clear the fences - finishing 29th in the majors in homers. His departure, following the earlier trade of Sonny Gray, signals a shift toward long-term pitching depth, but it also leaves a glaring hole in the middle of the order.
Burleson Steps In - But With a Different Profile
With Contreras gone, the Cardinals are turning to Alec Burleson to help carry the offensive load. Burleson, who earned a Silver Slugger thanks to his versatility and a career-best .290 average, will be moving to first base on a near-everyday basis.
That’s a notable change for a position traditionally reserved for big boppers. Burleson isn’t that - at least not yet.
His career high in home runs is 21, and while he’s shown steady improvement, he doesn’t bring the same kind of raw power the Cardinals are used to seeing at the position.
Still, the front office clearly believes in his bat-to-ball skills and his ability to grow into the role. He’s not going to replace Contreras’ slugging overnight, but in a lineup that needs contact and consistency just as much as power, Burleson could be a stabilizing force - if he continues trending upward.
Power Vacuum - and Who Might Fill It
The power equation now hinges on more than just Burleson. Catcher Ivan Herrera is expected to take over full-time duties behind the plate, and the Cardinals are banking on his bat playing up with regular reps.
There’s also Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker, two young hitters with serious pop but equally serious question marks. Gorman has shown flashes of elite power but has battled inconsistency and injuries.
Walker, still developing, has all the tools but hasn’t yet put it all together at the big-league level.
Then there’s Lars Nootbaar. He could slide into left field now that Burleson is shifting to first, but that depends on his recovery from double heel surgery - a tough ask for any player, especially one who relies on mobility. The Cardinals haven’t set a timeline for his return, and until he’s fully healthy, they’ll need to plan as if he’s not in the mix for Opening Day.
Chaim Bloom Lays Out the Offseason Blueprint
President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom addressed the media on Monday, acknowledging the offensive setback that comes with dealing Contreras. He made it clear the team is still in the market for a right-handed power bat - ideally someone who can play the outfield, though there’s flexibility to move pieces around the infield as needed. Bloom also mentioned a desire to add another starting pitcher, though he stopped short of calling it a necessity, and emphasized the importance of leadership in the bullpen.
In short: the Cardinals aren’t done yet.
Roster Depth Being Tested
If Nootbaar can’t go by Spring Training, and if trades involving veterans like Brendan Donovan or Nolan Arenado materialize, the Cardinals could be looking at a very young, very unproven roster. JJ Wetherholt is one name to watch - he’s expected to slot into the infield if those moves happen - but beyond him, there aren’t many prospects banging down the door for everyday roles.
Bryan Torres has been promoted to the 26-man roster, but his game is built more around speed and athleticism than power. That’s fine for a utility role, but it doesn’t solve the team’s most pressing issue: finding someone who can consistently drive the ball out of the park from the right side.
Money to Spend - But Will They Use It?
The Cardinals have created financial flexibility by moving both Contreras and Gray, freeing up millions in payroll. That gives Bloom some room to operate, whether on the free agent market or in additional trades - possibly involving JoJo Romero or other veterans.
But it’s unclear just how aggressive the front office will be in the first year of what’s shaping up to be a rebuild. There’s money available, yes.
Whether Bloom gets the go-ahead to spend big is another question entirely.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t a teardown, but it’s certainly a transition. The Cardinals are trying to thread the needle - building a younger, more sustainable core without completely bottoming out.
Trading Contreras is a bold move, especially for a team already short on power, but it’s one made with the long-term picture in mind. Now comes the hard part: finding the right mix of young talent and veteran leadership to keep things competitive while the next wave of Cardinals takes shape.