Cardinals preseason capsule: Slashing cash, St. Louis embraces rebuild

St. Louis Cardinals

2024 record: 83-79 (2nd place, NL Central)

He gone: DH Matt Carpenter, RHP Kyle Gibson, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, RHP Andrew Kittredge, RHP Lance Lynn, RHP Kenyan Middleton.

New faces: RHP Nick Anderson, RHP Phil Maton.

Biggest question entering Opening Day: How long will 3B Nolan Arenado be with the Cardinals? He used his no-trade protection to nix a trade to the Houston Astros in the offseason. He remained on the trade block with St. Louis committed to slashing payroll and deploying younger players in John Mozeliak's final year as president of baseball operations. At some point the Cardinals figure to trade Arenado and create more playing time for young players such as 2B-3B prospect Thomas Saggese.

Top prospect: LHP Quinn Mathews climbed the organizational ladder with successful stops at Palm Beach, Peoria, Springfield and Memphis last season. He finished 8-5 with a 2.76 ERA in 26 starts at four minor league levels, then impressed the Cardinals in spring training. Barring injury, Mathews and RHP Michael McGreevy (3-0, 1.96 ERA in four major league appearances in '24) will join the rotation at some point.

Breakout player: C Ivan Herrera hit .301 with an .800 OPS last season in 72 games. If his defensive work improves after an offseason of work, his bat could make him a lineup fixture with Willson Contreras transitioned to first base.

2025 outlook: Chaim Bloom is the personnel boss-in-waiting to succeed Mozeliak atop the management chart. The Cardinals are counting on improvement from young veterans like Herrera, OF Jordan Walker, 2B-3B Nolan Gorman, OF Lars Nootbaar, RHP Andre Pallante and LHP Matthew Liberatore to remain competitive, which would require rebound seasons from veterans such as RHP Miles Mikolas and LHP Steven Matz.

--Field Level Media