After back-to-back seasons of missing the playoffs, the St. Louis Cardinals are set to entrust their rebuild to Chaim Bloom.
Bloom, who spent the bulk of his career building and maintaining a competitive Tampa Bay Rays team despite a meager payroll, will now be tasked with turning one of the proudest franchises in the game into a contender.
For now, he will focus on player development, helping the Cardinals develop their prospects into pros. Following the 2025 season, he will take on an even bigger role as President of Baseball Operations.
For Chaim Bloom to effectively execute his vision for the Cardinals, the team must create flexibility on the active roster, starting with Nolan Arenado. Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Colorado Rockies before the 2021 season, Arenado has delivered on his superstar billing, earning three All-Star nods, two Gold Gloves, and a Silver Slugger in four seasons. However, with Arenado heading into his age-34 campaign, this offseason might be the perfect time to move on.
Reports from multiple MLB insiders suggest the Cardinals are planning to explore trade options for Arenado this winter. Here’s why St. Louis should make every effort to deal the veteran third baseman during the offseason.
This may be the Cardinals’ last chance to trade Nolan Arenado
Nolan Arenado, while no longer the perennial MVP candidate he once was, still carries significant trade value. His most recent season, marked by a 101 OPS+, may not have lived up to his usual elite standards, but it wasn’t catastrophic either. However, the Cardinals must weigh the risk that this performance dip could signal the start of a gradual decline for the veteran third baseman. Trading him now allows St. Louis to capitalize on his remaining value while avoiding potential long-term regression.
If Nolan Arenado struggles early next season, his trade value could plummet, making it much harder for the Cardinals to get a worthwhile return at the trade deadline or the following offseason. With $27 million owed to him in 2026 and $15 million in 2027, his contract is a significant commitment that teams will only consider if they believe he can still perform at a high level.
While the ideal time to trade Arenado may have been last offseason, the Cardinals can’t afford to wait any longer. Acting now gives them the best chance to maximize his value and set the stage for a successful rebuild.
The Cardinals want to cut payroll
With Paul Goldschmidt’s $26 million salary coming off the books next year, the Cardinals are already positioned to reduce payroll. However, keeping Nolan Arenado would still leave the team on the hook for $27 million annually, with the Rockies covering an additional $5 million. By parting ways with both Arenado and Goldschmidt, St. Louis could save $53 million, aligning with their goal of cutting payroll while also creating room for long-term investments.
The urgency to offload Arenado’s contract grows when considering Sonny Gray’s escalating salary, which jumps to $25 million in 2025 and $35 million in 2026. While the Cardinals reportedly plan to shop Gray, his full no-trade clause complicates the process, as he would need to approve any potential deal. This makes moving Arenado’s contract a more critical and potentially feasible step toward financial flexibility.
St. Louis has young infielders to plug into the lineup
If the Cardinals are serious about a rebuild, they need to prioritize evaluating their young talent, starting with No. 4 prospect Thomas Saggese. Acquired from the Texas Rangers in last year’s Jordan Montgomery trade, Saggese represents a key piece of the team’s future.
Although his 18-game stint with the Cardinals this season was unremarkable, Saggese’s track record in the minors speaks volumes. He consistently hit well at every level and showcased his versatility by playing across the infield. His strong performance in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .391 with a 1.118 OPS over 18 games, only adds to the optimism surrounding his potential.
Thomas Saggese and Masyn Winn have the potential to bring youthful energy and excitement to a rebuilding Cardinals roster, offering fans a reason to stay invested even if contention isn’t immediate. Winn, in particular, had a standout rookie campaign with a 3.6 fWAR, 15 home runs, a .267 batting average, and excellent defense, positioning him as a cornerstone player.
The bigger question for St. Louis is whether to build around their existing young core or commit to a full-scale teardown and rebuild. Trading Nolan Arenado wouldn’t necessarily dictate the direction of the rebuild, but it feels like an essential first step regardless of the path they choose.
