For the second consecutive season, the St. Louis Cardinals missed the playoffs under manager Oliver Marmol. The front office now faces the challenge of ensuring an 83-win roster doesn’t regress while aiming for a significant improvement.
By the time the 2025 MLB season begins, the Cardinals’ roster could look drastically different. This offseason might even feature trades involving multiple All-Star players.
With a focus on reducing payroll, the team could explore deals involving key players. According to MLB insider William Fleitch, potential trade candidates include new first baseman Willson Contreras, third baseman Nolan Arenado, and pitchers Sonny Gray and Ryan Helsley.
“They’ve openly discussed slashing payroll, prioritizing their young talent while remaining competitive for a championship,” Fleitch noted. “This strategy opens up trade possibilities for a few players. Contreras’ shift to first base could, however, impact his availability on the trade market.”
Fleitch also highlighted other potential trade candidates, including Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and MLB saves leader Ryan Helsley—all of whom are MLB All-Stars with likely strong trade value.
The real question is how determined the Cardinals are to reduce payroll. Would they go so far as to initiate a near firesale, parting ways with some of the team’s most beloved players? Ultimately, it may come down to whether an irresistible offer comes their way.
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