The St. Louis Cardinals are entering a new era as Chaim Bloom replaces John Mozeliak as president of baseball operations. With a rebuild on the horizon, the front office faces important decisions about the future roster.
One of the key questions is which young players the Cardinals will prioritize as long-term building blocks. While trimming payroll is expected, there may also be opportunities to lock in rising talent.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently highlighted 10 MLB players who could receive extensions this offseason. Among them was Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn, considered St. Louis’ top candidate for a long-term deal.
Winn, just 23 years old, has quickly established himself as one of the premier defensive shortstops in the league. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks second only to Bobby Witt Jr. in Fielding Run Value. His defensive brilliance, paired with steady offensive production, makes him a strong extension candidate.
At the plate, Winn is hitting .258 this season with a .688 OPS—slightly below his 2024 numbers (.267 average, .730 OPS). While not an elite hitter, his combination of average offense and elite defense provides substantial value. A long-term contract could secure his services through at least 2030, likely at a manageable cost compared to higher-profile hitters.
For the Cardinals, investing in Winn would represent a commitment to a defensive cornerstone during their rebuild. If his offense improves even slightly, the move would look even better. Bloom and the front office will need to decide whether now is the right time to extend their young star, but Winn has already shown enough to warrant serious consideration.
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