After missing the playoffs for two years in a row, the St. Louis Cardinals are embarking on a rebuild, letting veterans go and looking to improve their pipeline. As their division rivals improve, it could be a bleak season for a fanbase that hasn’t seen many bleak seasons. Here are our bold predictions for the St. Louis Cardinals for the 2025 MLB season.
The Cardinals let Paul Goldschmidt and Andrew Kitteridge leave in free agency. The sole major-league addition this offseason was relief pitcher Phil Maton. So the squad that only won 83 games last year has taken a step back and isn’t hesitant to admit it. They hired Chaim Bloom, a former Red Sox and Rays executive, to head their minor-league operations this year before taking over the entire franchise next year. This is a transitional year, which informs the Cardinals’ big projections.
Who will be the Cardinals’ standout player this season? Will they eventually trade Nolan Arenado? There are many questions in St. Louis, and our bold forecasts provide some answers.
The Cardinals will finish last in the National League Central
For years, the Cubs and Cardinals have competed for the National League Central title. In recent years, the Milwaukee Brewers have joined the fray as a reliable 90-game winner. However, the Reds and Pirates have always occupied the last two slots, allowing both clubs to win with ease. With Cincinnati and Pittsburgh adding great young players, the Cardinals will finish last in the division this season.
Last season, the Cardinals were tied with the Cubs and 10 games behind the Brewers in the division. They outscored the Reds by six games and the Pirates by seven. However, with their offseason losses and a possible sell-off at the MLB trade deadline, that cushion will vanish.
The Cardinals have three starting pitchers with expiring contracts who should be traded before the deadline. Steven Matz, Erick Fedde, and Miles Mikolas should all be on the move, and if someone wants two years of Sonny Gray, he could follow. That will make them a punching bag for teams jockeying for position in a crowded NL Wild Card race.
Nolan Arenado finishes the year in St Louis
The Cardinals’ offseason was defined by their quest to trade Nolan Arenado. His no-trade clause prevented a trade to the Houston Astros, and they were unable to reach an agreement with anyone on his approved list. So the former MVP will remain at the hot corner in St Louis with three years left on his deal. He will stay with the Cardinals through this season and the drama will pick up again next year.
Arenado will most likely not fulfill his contract with the Cardinals, but he will be there until the end of the season.
Masyn Winn takes a big offensive step forward
The Cardinals’ rebuild is based on a number of players, but Masyn Winn is the first to make a name for himself in the big leagues. Despite average offensive numbers, the shortstop led St. Louis with 4.2 bWAR last season, and his 102 OPS+ was impressive for a 22-year-old. However, his offense will improve significantly this season.
Winn made his MLB debut in 2023, appearing in 37 games with very dismal offensive stats. He had a .467 OPS, which increased to .730 over a 150-game sample in 2024. Another little tick up and Winn might join some of the finest shortstops in the league as terrific defenders and dominant hitters.
The Cardinals need great offense from Winn to give fans hope that this rebuild will succeed. With pressure on the organization to make this rebuild work, Winn’s performance this year will be critical.
What are your big predictions for the Cardinals this season? Can they surprise everyone by making the playoffs?
