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Cardinals expected to shop around key pieces this offseason | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 0:42 GMT by Sporting News
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Cardinals Gear Up for a “Key Pieces” Off‑Season

The St. Louis Cardinals’ 2023 campaign was marked by a dramatic postseason run that ended in a heartbreak against the Mets in the National League Championship Series. As the club’s front‑office and coaching staff now look toward the future, Sporting News has reported that the organization is “expected to shop around key pieces” in the coming off‑season. The Cardinals are facing a clear set of priorities: replace the long‑time shortstop Yadier Molina, shore up their pitching staff, and add power‑hitting depth—while still trying to preserve a core that has brought the team playoff contention in the last decade.

Molina’s Exit and the Shortstop Void

Perhaps the most glaring question for the Cardinals is who will take the reins at shortstop after Molina’s announced retirement at the end of 2024. The veteran, a perennial All‑Star and three‑time World Series champion, has been the face of the franchise for 13 seasons. With the “Molina” brand embedded in the team’s identity, the Cardinals will need a player who can match or exceed his defensive reliability, while adding a decent bat in the middle of the order.

Sports insiders point to a handful of free‑agent options that could fill that gap. One name that frequently surfaces is Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians, a former National League MVP who can contribute both power and speed. Another candidate is J.D. Martinez, who spent 2023 with the Mets and returned to his power‑hitting form—though he is a first baseman, his bat could be used in a hybrid role. In the trade market, the Cardinals’ willingness to part with a key piece such as Nolan Arenado has been the subject of much speculation. A deal that would bring in a premium shortstop in exchange for the veteran third baseman could create a new, more balanced lineup.

Reinforcing the Bullpen and Rotation

While the Cardinals have a strong top of the pitching staff with starters like Kyle Gibson and a deep bullpen featuring Jack Flaherty, they will also seek to strengthen depth and address a particular left‑handed disadvantage. Several free‑agent left‑handers have surfaced on the Cardinals radar, most notably Luis Severino, who finished the 2023 season with the Mets. Severino’s ability to deliver strikeouts and his left‑handed advantage in match‑ups would complement the current rotation and fill an important void.

The Cardinals’ management has also been listening for a right‑handed reliever who can close out games, potentially looking at the “hot‑hand” pitchers in the trade market. In the event the team decides to stay with its core, the front office has already been monitoring prospects like Tyler Sneed, a rising right‑hander in the minor league system who could develop into a high‑impact arm for the big‑league club.

Adding Power‑Hitting Depth

A perennial weakness in the Cardinals lineup has been a lack of sheer power from the middle and lower spots. Sporting News’ piece noted that the front office is already on the lookout for a “power hitter” who can slot into the lineup and give the team an extra edge. Among free‑agent targets, J.D. Martinez is again cited because of his 2023 production with the Mets—he hit 39 home runs, albeit with a lower batting average. However, the Cardinals might also consider a younger, upside‑filled power bat from the farm system if a trade or free‑agent acquisition proves elusive.

In addition, the Cardinals have been looking at strengthening their offensive depth by extending or renegotiating contracts with existing players like Daniel Cabrera and John Schreiber, who have shown flashes of high offensive potential. Ensuring that these players remain in the Cardinals' orbit will help preserve continuity while the organization seeks to add a power bat.

Timing and Logistics

According to the article, the Cardinals will first evaluate their prospects and the depth of the roster before committing to any major free‑agent deals. The front office is expected to set a timeline that includes signing major free‑agents by early November, finalizing any trades by late November, and securing a “key piece” within the first half of the off‑season. This schedule will allow the team to have a clear, stable roster heading into spring training, especially with the arrival of the new season’s opening day.

The Sporting News article also points out that the Cardinals are mindful of their luxury tax situation and will look for deals that do not overly burden the payroll. This fiscal discipline means that the club will likely pursue “win‑now” targets who fit within the existing budget, rather than making large, risky acquisitions that could jeopardize their financial flexibility.

Conclusion

In sum, the Cardinals’ “key pieces” strategy will focus on a multi‑pronged approach: finding a suitable shortstop to replace Yadier Molina, bolstering the pitching staff—particularly with a quality left‑handed starter and a bullpen closer—adding a power bat in the lower order, and managing the internal farm‑system pipeline to keep the roster deep and dynamic. While the exact moves remain to be announced, the organization’s clear intent is to preserve the competitive momentum that has defined the Cardinals’ recent history while addressing the inevitable gaps that arise as a team ages and seeks a new direction.

By following these steps, the Cardinals aim to stay competitive in the National League Central, ensuring that their storied franchise continues to be a contender in the MLB landscape for years to come.