The St. Louis Cardinals have balanced contention with youth development through the first half of 2025, staying in the NL Central race while evaluating their next generation. President John Mozeliak’s spring training plan to simultaneously compete and develop players has produced mixed results but kept the club relevant.
Several young players have capitalized on their opportunities, with Alec Burleson emerging as a standout. Since April 22nd, Burleson ranks among MLB’s top left-handed hitters with a 148 wRC+ and .324 average. While his defense remains average, his offensive surge has made him a lineup fixture. Other youngsters like Matthew Liberatore and Ivan Herrera (when healthy) have shown promise, though Jordan Walker continues struggling with consistency.
Veterans have provided stability, with Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and relievers JoJo Romero and Ryan Helsley delivering expected production. The bargain signing of Phil Maton (1 year, $2M) has proven particularly valuable, outperforming his contract as a reliable bullpen arm.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Cardinals appear more likely to make marginal upgrades than splashy moves. Potential targets include Miami’s Dane Myers, a right-handed outfield bat crushing lefties (182 wRC+), and reliever Anthony Bender (2.41 ERA). Both would address needs while remaining under team control beyond 2025.
With an 88-win pace at midseason, St. Louis could push for 90+ victories with smart additions. The organization faces the delicate balance of maintaining playoff hopes while continuing to evaluate young talent – a tightrope walk that will define their second half.
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