In 2024, the St. Louis Cardinals will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year and the fifth time in the last decade. Perhaps most concerning, there is a growing sense among fans and even within the organization that the Cardinals are no longer at the forefront. Other teams have overtaken them, and the franchise requires something it hasn’t done in a long time: a major overhaul.
Indeed, the Cardinals announced shortly after the season concluded that Chaim Bloom, the Red Sox’s former top baseball officer, would succeed longstanding president of baseball operations John Mozeliak in a year. Bloom, who previously worked as an advisor in 2024, will spend the year rebuilding the agriculture system. Mozeliak, as he stated in his season-ending press conference, would want to reduce wages as the club invests more heavily on player development. The Cardinals are shifting.
This is a unique predicament for the Cardinals, who have had only two losing seasons this century. And, to be fair, they intend to be competitive in 2025. However, they are doing so while focusing on their young players, which include Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, Nolan Gorman, Victor Scott II, Thomas Saggese, and Iván Herrera. More players are coming through the system, including left-hander Quinn Mathews, the Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Year.
On the other hand, some of St. Louis’ most established and expensive older players could be traded. It’s an opportunity for the Cardinals to bolster their young talent pool while also allowing some playoff-hungry teams to fill holes or upgrade in preparation for a run in 2025.
Four major Cardinals players could be on the move, and they have the potential to change the complexion of any baseball team. (That excludes experienced pitchers Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz, as well as younger talents Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and Erick Fedde, who could potentially be part of a larger package.)
Here’s a closer look at the core quartet, their potential value, and which teams should be interested. It’s worth noting that the first three contain no-trade clauses that must be waived in order for a deal to go through. (Each player is listed with his 2025 season age.)
Nolan Arenado, 3B, age 34
After a highly enjoyable 2022 season in which the Cardinals made the playoffs, Arenado placed third in MVP voting, and Albert Pujols said his final goodbyes, Arenado stunned several by not opting out of his contract, instead agreeing to stay with the Cardinals until 2027. That move, however, was premised on the Cardinals going all-in every year, which is a reasonable assumption given that they have tried to do so for the past two decades. What about now? Arenado might want to jump right now.
Arenado’s bat has declined in recent seasons, particularly in terms of power, with only 16 home runs in 152 games this year. However, he remains above average at the plate and, after a terrible 2023 in the field, has rebounded to become one of baseball’s best fielding third basemen this year. He’s also Nolan Arenado, a future Hall of Famer and a veteran that everyone wants on their side. He would suit in a variety of situations, as long as the squad is looking to win immediately.
The Mariners would adore him. The Dodgers attempted to deal for him in the past. If Alex Bregman does not return, the Astros could benefit from his services. If Jazz Chisholm Jr. is sent back to second base or center field, the Yankees might do the same. He could be an excellent fit for the Phillies, especially if, as is rumored, they are prepared to sell Alec Bohm. Arenado’s deal has three years and $74 million remaining (not including the portion paid by the Rockies). Are you planning on aiming to win the World Series during the next three seasons? Arenado can absolutely help with this.
Willson Contreras, C, age 33
The Cardinals have stated that Contreras will move from behind the plate to first base (and designated hitter), so this appears to be out of the question. But, through no fault of his own, almost everything about Contreras has been in change since he signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract to join the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2023 season. Why is this any different?
He was strangely removed from the catcher’s position just a month into his first season (right before a series at Wrigley Field against his old teammates), he was chastised for not being Yadier Molina behind the plate, and he suffered multiple freak injuries in 2024, including having his wrist broken on a batter’s swing. Throughout it all, Contreras hit: In 2024, he had the highest OPS+ of his career (136).
The Cardinals want to move Contreras to first base because they have young catchers behind him (Herrera and Pedro Pagés) who would benefit from additional playing time. However, now that Paul Goldschmidt is out, the Cardinals have various different batters to test, such as Gorman or perhaps Walker. And maybe Contreras decides he truly wants to catch again.
If made available, Contreras would immediately become one of the best improvements in the sport — a catcher who can rake, is better behind the plate than he is given credit for, and, don’t forget, is a World Series champion and fierce competitor. His bat is versatile and can play anywhere. San Diego, as well as Houston, a team he nearly signed with instead of the Cardinals in the first place, would be ideal landing spots for him.
Sonny Gray, RHP, age 35
Wait, weren’t the Cardinals just signing Gray? They did it! Gray signed a three-year, $75 million contract (with a club option) in November, and while he wasn’t the Cy Young contender he was in 2023, he was a pillar of the Cardinals’ staff, pitching 166 1/3 innings with a 3.84 ERA. We’ve seen him have ace stuff before, particularly in ’24; he’s a true postseason starter and a rotation element that every team wants.
He’ll be more expensive in 2025 and ’26 than he was in ’24 — the Cardinals still owe him $60 million of that $75 million — but no team will be able to locate a Sonny Gray-caliber pitcher on the free-agent market for just a two-year contract. Isn’t he a great replacement for Max Fried if the Braves lose him to free agency? Gray is originally from Tennessee and has expressed a desire to remain close to home.
Ryan Helsley, RHP, age 30
This is the only player on this list who is still arbitration eligible and does not have a no-trade clause, and he could bring back the highest value. Helsley may have been the finest non-Emmanuel Clase closer in baseball this year, with a 2.04 ERA, striking out 79 in 66 1/3 innings, and leading the Majors with a Cardinals record 49 saves. While he is eligible for a rise in his final year of arbitration after earning $3.8 million in 2024, he will still be relatively inexpensive. Helsley is 30 years old and in his best right now.
He would only be with a team for one season before becoming a free agent, but what a year that could be. Imagine how much better Orioles, Dodgers, or any other team’s fans would feel if this guy entered the ninth inning of a playoff game. He was the Cardinals’ only All-Star in 2024. He may be the best component they have available because any team could use him, but a team with legitimate championship aspirations may benefit from him more than the Cardinals in 2025.
