With nearly a quarter of their games played, the St. Louis Cardinals still lack clarity on what this season will be. Two things remain true: The Cardinals want to focus on developing young talent and are trying to win. It’s a balancing act that has had mixed results so far. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has been non-committal about what will happen as the deadline approaches.
Where the Cardinals Stand Now
A recent six-game winning streak has put the Cardinals above .500 for the first time since April 5th. They are in second place in the N.L. Central. They are in the middle of the pack for strength of schedule, with the 18th most difficult remaining schedule.
The team has given runway to younger players but is still committed to several of the veterans on the roster. At some point, the Cardinals will have to decide if they want to still get a look at younger players or look for ways to maximize or add to their roster.
“Right now, we’re trying to straddle that fence,” Mozeliak told The Athletic in a recent interview. “By mid-June, there might be a fork in the road for us, but at this point we can at least provide ourselves that opportunity to try (to do both).”
Mixed Results with Younger Players
Some of the Cardinals youngsters have exceeded expectations. 25-year-old starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore has arguably been the team’s best starter. 24-year-old center fielder Victor Scott II won the starting role out of Spring Training. So far this year, he has a slash line of .291/.361/.410. 27-year-old outfielder Lars Nootbaar has stayed healthy so far, which has previously been his biggest hurdle. He’s slashing .245/.373/.410 and is leading the team in home runs with five.
On the flip side, former first-round picks Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman have struggled at the plate. Walker is slashing .193/.268/.263. He has a -/3 WAR and has struck out 40 times in 32 games. Mozeliak praised Walker’s defense in his interview with The Athletic. However, he said they wanted to see more consistent offense.
Gorman is slashing .182/.296/.303 in 23 games. He has a -.2 WAR and has struck out 23 times so far. Mozeliak admitted they’ve struggled to find Gorman at-bats with a crowded infield. The Cardinals want some clarity on Walker and Gorman moving forward. However, if they remain a liability in the lineup and the team is contending for a playoff spot, they must make some tough decisions. Both players were sent down to Triple-A for a significant time last season.
Deadline Could Go Either Way
If the Cardinals decide to sell, they have plenty of attractive pieces. Ryan Helsley, the MLB saves leader from 2025, is entering the final year of his contract. They have three veteran starting pitchers who could draw interest in Erick Fedde, Steven Matz, and Miles Mikolas. All three are entering the final year of their contract. If the Cardinals decide they want to sell, they will likely try to move at least one of those starters to make room for exciting young starter Michael McGreevy.
Then there’s the possibility of moving eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals failed to trade him this offseason. However, they could revisit the possibility mid-season if they are ready to fully commit to young players like Gorman or infielder Thomas Saggese.
If the Cardinals want to try to win now, they have some glaring needs. The bullpen needs help if the Cardinals are going to be contenders for the Postseason. They could also use another consistent bat in the outfield if Walker’s struggles continue. The starting rotation and the infield have been good enough for a playoff team.
Main Photo Credits: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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