Miles Mikolas is under a three‑year contract worth about $55.75 million, which is set to expire after the 2025 season. His performance this year has improved from 2024, though it’s still mixed. He has a 4.80 ERA over 29 starts this season. Over his last seven starts, he’s shown signs of a rebound — including lowering his ERA in those outings and being more effective than earlier in the year.
Despite the ups and downs, Mikolas has made it clear he’d like to stay with the Cardinals. He’s expressed interest in returning in 2026 under a new front office. He’s also hinted at being open to a more limited role if needed, even joking about doing a “Roger Clemens deal” — meaning maybe just pitching certain games or pitching more at home.
From St. Louis’ side, there’s reason to consider bringing him back. The rotation isn’t deep, especially beyond certain younger pitchers. With limited proven alternatives and some uncertainty in the minor‑leagues right now, having a veteran arm who can eat innings is valuable. Also, his home performance has been better, which could make him a useful piece, even if not necessarily an ace.
That said, there are concerns. His earlier season stretches were shaky, and his overall ERA of 4.80 isn’t going to wow teams expecting high performance. There’s also the question of price: projections put his market value for 2026 at around $8 million for one year if he reaches free agency. That’s a big drop from his current deal, indicating he may need to accept less or a reduced role if he wants to stay in St. Louis (or pitch somewhere else).
On the organizational front, the Cardinals are entering a period of transition. Their front office is changing, with Chaim Bloom set to take over baseball operations after 2025. So any decisions about 2026, including whether to re‑sign veterans like Mikolas, will be framed by this upcoming shift and possibly reorganizing payroll.
