The St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles are both in the thick of reshaping their rosters this offseason, but they’re coming at it from very different angles.
For the Orioles, a disappointing 2025 campaign has pushed the front office into go-big mode, and they’re not wasting time. Their headline move so far?
Locking up slugger Pete Alonso with a five-year, $155 million deal-a clear signal they’re serious about adding power and presence to the heart of their lineup.
But the O’s didn’t stop there. They also brought in outfielder Taylor Ward from the Angels, adding another right-handed bat with some pop and versatility. And now, they’re reportedly eyeing bullpen help-specifically, left-hander JoJo Romero from the Cardinals.
Romero, 29, is coming off a career year in St. Louis.
He posted a 2.07 ERA over 66 innings, carving out a key role in the Cardinals’ bullpen. With one year left before free agency, he’s an appealing piece for any contender looking to shore up the back end of their relief corps.
According to reports, the Orioles are one of several teams that have been in contact with the Cardinals about Romero. The Yankees and Mariners are also said to have expressed interest, which makes sense given the recent surge in demand for reliable lefty arms.
Romero’s emergence in 2025 was one of the few bright spots for a Cardinals team that missed the playoffs for the third straight year. His ability to neutralize left-handed hitters and handle high-leverage situations made him a go-to option for St. Louis, and that kind of performance doesn’t go unnoticed-especially in a market where quality relievers are flying off the board quickly.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals appear to be embracing the role of offseason sellers, and they’ve got another name drawing even more attention: Brendan Donovan. The versatile infielder is generating serious buzz, with the Mariners and Giants reportedly leading the chase. Seattle in particular has been linked to Donovan for a while now, and this winter might finally be the time they make their move.
Donovan, 28, was the Cardinals’ most consistent player in 2025. He posted a .287/.353/.422 slash line with a 119 OPS+ over 118 games, good for 2.7 bWAR.
He’s the kind of player who can slot in all over the field, grind out at-bats, and bring stability to any lineup. That versatility is gold in today’s game, and it’s no surprise St.
Louis is asking for a significant return.
Reports suggest the Cardinals are seeking two top prospects in return, and names like Felnin Celesten and Lazaro Montes have come up in conversations with Seattle. Montes, in particular, is a fascinating prospect-big-time power potential, but with some questions about his long-term hit tool and defensive profile. Still, he’s a name that turns heads, and if the Mariners are serious about landing Donovan, it might cost them someone like him.
For the Cardinals, this offseason is shaping up to be about retooling with purpose. They’ve already added arms like Ryan Helsley, Andrew Kittredge, and Shane Baz to the bullpen, but the bigger story is who they’re willing to move-and what they can get in return.
With Donovan and Romero both drawing interest, St. Louis has a real opportunity to restock the farm and set the stage for a stronger future.
As for the Orioles, adding Alonso and Ward is just the beginning. If they can land a reliable lefty like Romero, it would be another step toward building a more complete, postseason-ready roster. After a tough 2025, Baltimore looks ready to turn the page-and they’re doing it with urgency.