Cardinals' Offseason Moves: Adding Right-Handed Power
The Cardinals are gearing up for an active offseason, with a focus on bolstering their lineup. With several key players traded away, including Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras, the team is looking to make strategic additions. Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and JoJo Romero are also on the trading block, but that doesn't mean they won't bring in some short-term talent. They've already signed Dustin May to a $12.5MM deal for the rotation, and Chaim Bloom, the president of baseball operations, has identified a specific profile they're targeting on the position player side.
Bloom's statement to reporters reveals their desire to add an outfielder, ideally one with right-handed power. This decision is an indirect result of the Contreras trade. Alec Burleson, who made only 38 starts at first base last season, is expected to take on a more prominent role in 2026, potentially replacing Contreras as the primary first baseman. Burleson's versatility is notable, as he made 72 starts in the corner outfield and 18 at designated hitter.
St. Louis already has a projected corner outfield tandem in Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker. However, Nootbaar is under arbitration control for just two years and could be traded this offseason. Walker, on the other hand, had a well below replacement-level performance in 2025 and still has a minor league option remaining. Adding a right-handed corner bat could also address the need to balance left-handed hitters Burleson and Iván Herrera at first base and designated hitter, respectively.
Free agency options are limited, but the Cardinals could consider one-year deals for players like Miguel Andujar or Austin Hays, both of whom had strong seasons with the platoon advantage. Tommy Pham, a familiar face, is coming off a middling season against lefties but has a solid career line of .261/.368/.434 in those situations. Chas McCormick, however, hasn't shown much power in the past two years, with a 20-homer season in 2023 being his most recent notable performance.
Additionally, the Cardinals could explore switch-hitting utility options like Willi Castro or Luis Rengifo. These players offer the added benefit of versatility, especially if the team decides to trade Donovan and/or Arenado. Nolan Gorman would then be in line for more playing time at third base, while top prospect JJ Wetherholt is expected to become the everyday second baseman, assuming a trade for Donovan. However, the 23-year-old Wetherholt is likely to start the season in Triple-A.
The Cardinals' strategy is clear: they're aiming to add right-handed power and versatility to their lineup, addressing the consequences of recent trades and preparing for the upcoming season.
