The Cardinals’ first year of rebuilding has already clarified a few things about where this roster is headed, and not all of the answers are complicated. Some players have shown they belong in the long-term picture. Others have made the case that the organization needs to keep moving.
Matthew Liberatore is one of the clearest examples. He flashed some promise as a starter in 2025, but he faded badly after the midway point and still hasn’t settled in. This season has been rough on the left-hander, who is 5-14 with a 5.53 ERA.
The Cardinals don’t have a minor league fix waiting for him, so a Triple-A assignment doesn’t make much sense. At the same time, the results point in one direction: he doesn’t look like a major league starter. The better path would be a move to the bullpen, where he could still fit into the picture while the Cardinals turn to better starting options in 2027.
Third base has also become much clearer since Nolan Arenado was traded. That move opened the door for Nolan Gorman to claim the job every day, and he hasn’t taken advantage of it. His line sits at .185/.263/.315 with nine home runs, 32 RBI, a .578 OPS and a -0.3 WAR.
The Cardinals have gotten stronger production from Thomas Saggese lately, and Blaze Jordan has also given them solid value, which gives the team real alternatives at the position. Even if St.
Louis doesn’t add someone externally this winter, there are still better answers than sticking with Gorman. The power is there, but the rest of the offensive package hasn’t come together.
He has struck out too much, hasn’t hit for average, and hasn’t gotten on base enough to justify the role.
Ivan Herrera presents a different kind of decision. His bat is too good to keep out of the lineup, and he has to be part of the Cardinals’ future plans. But his defense behind the plate has not really improved, and the roster is getting crowded there with Leo Bernal already on hand and Rainiel Rodriguez coming.
That leaves the Cardinals with a pretty obvious conclusion: Herrera needs to stay in the lineup, but his long-term home is at designated hitter, not catcher.
In Other News...
Cardinals May Be Headed For The Big Spending Move Fans Want
The Cardinals have spent much of the season looking like a club ahead of schedule, and that has changed the tone around how aggressive they can be this winter. One area that still stands out is third base, where the production has lagged and the need for an upgrade is obvious enough that it could push St. Louis toward a bigger splash than many expected in the offseason.
Bo Bichette fits that conversation because he has been working mostly at third this season while still bringing the kind of offensive track record and leadership presence teams covet. Any pursuit would come with a hefty commitment, including two years and $84 million left on his deal and a player option for 2027, but the Cardinals may finally be in a spot where spending to fix a clear weakness feels less like a luxury and more like a statement. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Are Chasing A Late Sign This Roster Is Finally Different
The Cardinals 2026 season has started to look a little more like a roster climbing into place than one simply trying to survive the grind. A run differential of minus-6 is still a negative mark, but it also reflects a team that has been far more competitive than the versions St. Louis has put on the field in recent seasons, especially since 2022. With a young core of position players and a rotation that already looks like the clubs best since that time, the Cardinals have at least given themselves a foundation worth watching.
What makes this stretch more interesting is that the roster is not finished yet. More talent is expected to arrive, and the overall level of ability is clearly trending up even if the bullpen remains a problem area. For a team that has spent too long searching for a workable blend of upside and stability, the late sign the Cardinals are chasing is less about one move than about whether this group can keep turning incremental gains into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
JJ Wetherholts Return Just Changed A Cardinals Roster Battle
JJ Wetherholt is back on the Cardinals active roster after a stint on the 10-day injured list, and his return immediately reshaped the clubs mix in a hurry. The rookie infielder was activated as St. Louis moved to clear space, a reminder that every late-season roster decision comes with a little extra weight when the team is trying to sort out its infield and pitching depth.
Ramn Uras and right-handed pitcher Peter Strzelecki were designated for assignment in the corresponding moves, a sign that the Cardinals were willing to make a tough cut to get Wetherholt back in the fold. Wetherholt has already logged 130 games this season, while Uras appeared in 43 and Strzelecki made eight appearances, and the latest shakeup leaves one more roster question hanging as St. Louis keeps adjusting around its young infielder. [Read more 🡒]