Three Cardinals Who Should Be Off the Roster by the End of August
As the St. Louis Cardinals hit the midpoint of August, they’ve hovered around a .500 record for weeks. While a playoff run is still technically possible, the odds are slim, and the team’s focus should shift fully toward building for the future. Despite some moves in that direction, the roster still includes players who offer little long-term value and are blocking younger talent.
Garrett Hampson — Claimed off waivers from the Reds in June, Hampson has provided minimal offensive impact, batting just .143 with 10 strikeouts in 22 plate appearances. His defense hasn’t been enough to make up for his struggles at the plate. The Cardinals could replace him with Nathan Church, a promising left-handed outfielder batting .329 with power, speed, and a strong arm in the minors.
Ryan Fernandez — After showing potential in 2024, Fernandez struggled early this year with an 11.42 ERA over his first 8.2 innings. He rebounded in Triple-A with a 3.12 ERA, but the Cardinals have other bullpen options, such as Chris Roycroft or newly acquired Jorge Alcala, who could take his spot.
Pedro Pages — While Pages is valued for his defense, game-calling, and rapport with pitchers, his offense has been weak, hitting just above .200 with a 60 wRC+ and a high strikeout rate. A potential replacement is Jimmy Crooks, the club’s No. 5 prospect, who offers solid hitting, plus defense, and strong base-stealing prevention skills. If the team wants to preserve his rookie status for 2026, they would need to wait until after August 15 to promote him.
By removing these players and promoting younger talent, the Cardinals could give their prospects valuable MLB experience while positioning themselves for a stronger future.
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