The St. Louis Cardinals are heading into an offseason filled with difficult 40-man roster decisions. With several players set to depart through free agency—including Erick Fedde, Garrett Hampson, and Miles Mikolas—the team is expected to have some roster space open. However, other players like Ryan Helsley and Phil Maton remain question marks, depending on whether the team makes qualifying offers or signs extensions. Additionally, some underperforming or out-of-options players are likely to be designated for assignment, including Luken Baker, Matt Koperniak, and Roddery Muñoz.
The Cardinals must also consider which prospects to protect from the Rule 5 Draft. Among the players considered locks to be added to the 40-man roster are Leonardo Bernal, Joshua Baez, Jimmy Crooks, Cooper Hjerpe, and Nathan Church. These players are either top-ranked in the organization or are at risk of being selected by other teams if left unprotected. Church’s inclusion is somewhat surprising, but given previous roster decisions, his addition seems likely.
A few others are considered likely additions, such as Brycen Mautz and Hancel Rincon. Mautz is a left-hander with strong strikeout numbers in Double-A, while Rincon has made noticeable improvements at the plate this season. While not as highly regarded as the top prospects, their performance and potential make them strong candidates for protection. The team may also explore minor league extensions to retain players without using a 40-man spot.
On the bubble are pitchers like Pete Hansen, Max Rajcic, and Jeremy Rivas. Hansen and Rajcic have shown mixed results and may not offer enough upside to justify a roster spot. Rivas, meanwhile, may need to be added if he’s eligible for minor league free agency. Players such as Ian Bedell, Jose Davila, and Austin Love are unlikely to be added due to injuries or underwhelming performance and are not considered high risks to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft.
Finally, some of the organization’s bigger names, including Chase Davis, Quinn Mathews, and JJ Wetherholt, are not yet eligible for Rule 5 protection. This gives the team more flexibility but could influence how aggressively they promote these players late in the season. While some may argue the team could delay promotions to preserve roster space, the Cardinals must balance immediate needs with long-term development as they prepare for what promises to be a complex and crucial offseason.
