St. Louis Cardinals fans are bracing for a period of rebuilding, a shift dramatically signaled by Monday’s trade of All-Star utility player Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners.
Cardinals Fully Embrace Rebuild, Trading Away Stars
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A flurry of offseason moves indicates a long-term strategy focused on developing pitching talent, even at the cost of immediate contention.
- First-year president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has orchestrated trades involving established players like Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras.
- The Cardinals’ financial situation, impacted by pandemic-era revenue losses, played a role in the decision to prioritize player development.
- The team is investing heavily in upgrading its player development infrastructure and scouting capabilities.
- Young players like Nolan Gorman, Alec Burleson, and Quinn Mathews are poised to take on larger roles.
The Cardinals, once perennial contenders, have embarked on a significant overhaul, trading away key pieces in favor of bolstering their farm system. This isn’t a knee-jerk reaction, but a calculated move stemming from years of underlying issues, and a changing financial landscape.
Financial Realities and a Shift in Philosophy
The Cardinals’ commitment to payroll tied to game-day revenue—primarily ticket sales—was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The DeWitt family, owners since 1996, responded by cutting back on coaching, coordinator, and development roles. Then-lead executive John Mozeliak was reportedly given a single budget covering both MLB payroll and player development, leading to a prioritization of the major league roster over long-term growth. This approach yielded disappointing on-field results—a 0-3 playoff record from 2021-2022 and three consecutive years missing the postseason—and a deteriorating player development system.
Historically, the Cardinals were innovators in player evaluation, pioneering the use of statistical projections to assess amateur talent. However, a combination of “brain drain” and an emphasis on continuity and loyalty—sometimes to a fault—allowed other organizations to surpass them in player development. Delays and cost increases also hampered modernization efforts at their shared spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida, putting them at a disadvantage compared to competitors.
Bloom’s Arrival and a Renewed Focus on Development
Enter Chaim Bloom, initially hired in an advisory role after his departure from the Boston Red Sox. Tasked with a comprehensive audit of the organization, Bloom identified the systemic issues plaguing the player development program. His thorough assessment led to his appointment as Mozeliak’s successor-in-waiting.
During Mozeliak’s final season in 2025, Bloom spearheaded a reconstruction of the player development program, filling vacant positions, expanding staff, upgrading technology, enhancing analytics, and breaking down communication silos. This investment in personnel and resources signaled a fundamental shift in the Cardinals’ approach.
Trades Pave the Way for Youth Movement
The trades of Arenado and Donovan create opportunities for young players to shine. Nolan Gorman is expected to receive consistent playing time and focus on refining his swing, potentially alongside Thomas Saggese and José Fermín. Alec Burleson will be installed at first base, while Quinn Mathews could see time in the rotation in 2026, paving the way for top pitching prospect Liam Doyle. The acquisition of J.J. Wetherholt, CBS Sports’ No. 6 overall prospect, positions him as the likely starting second baseman in 2026.
Bloom’s trades have also brought in a wave of new pitching prospects, shifting the Cardinals away from a pitch-to-contact philosophy towards a more modern approach emphasizing “whiffability.” Players like Brandon Clarke, Blake Aita, and Jurrangelo Cijntje, acquired from Boston and Seattle respectively, represent the future of the Cardinals’ pitching staff. Other arms added this offseason include Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts, Yhoiker Fajardo, and Jack Martinez.
Future Moves and Ownership’s Role
Left-handed reliever JoJo Romero is a likely trade candidate, and the Cardinals’ surplus of catchers could be leveraged to address other needs. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar may also be shopped once he recovers from offseason heel surgery. However, the most significant work of this offseason is now complete.
The DeWitt family’s commitment to the rebuild is noteworthy, particularly given recent financial challenges. The Cardinals’ home attendance plummeted to a dismal 19th in MLB in 2023, with a total of 2.25 million—the lowest in a non-shortened season since 1984. They also faced revenue reductions due to changes in their regional sports network contract. Despite these headwinds, the DeWitts committed over $50 million to facilitate the trades of Gray, Contreras, and Arenado, demonstrating a willingness to invest in the future. Whether they will maintain that commitment to MLB payroll when the team is ready to contend remains to be seen.
The 2026 season will be a crucial test. If Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker don’t demonstrate significant offensive improvement, the Cardinals may need to adjust their timeline and focus on even younger prospects like Wetherholt, Doyle, Joshua Baez, and Rainiel Rodriguez. The hope in St. Louis is that Gorman and Walker will launch baseballs—and their careers—into orbit. Regardless, the Cardinals are charting a new course, one necessitated by years of neglect and a renewed commitment to building a sustainable contender.
The Donovan trade encapsulates this new reality: a move driven by the team’s current position and its aspirations for the future. The major trades are largely complete, but the next chapter of the Cardinals’ story has just begun.
