The St. Louis Cardinals enter a pivotal offseason with several veterans drawing trade attention — and not just the familiar headline names like Nolan Arenado or Sonny Gray. While those stars naturally command interest due to their performance and salary commitments, the organization appears open to exploring a much broader range of possibilities as it reshapes the roster. With newly hired president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom beginning his tenure, virtually the entire team is under evaluation.
Bloom’s arrival signals a shift toward long-term sustainability, placing every position group under scrutiny. Only a select few young cornerstones, such as shortstop Masyn Winn and right-hander Michael McGreevy, seem fully insulated from trade discussions. For everyone else, the message is clear: nothing is guaranteed. The Cardinals’ disappointing recent seasons and stalled contention window have made this winter a critical opportunity to reassess the club’s direction.
According to reporting from The Athletic insiders Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, St. Louis is already generating interest around the league. At the general manager meetings, rival executives were told the Cardinals are expected to listen to offers on outfielder Lars Nootbaar, slugger Nolan Gorman, and catcher Pedro Páges. None of the three are being aggressively shopped, but the organization is remaining flexible as it explores ways to strengthen the roster.
Nootbaar, in particular, stands out as a name to watch. Once considered a long-term piece of the Cardinals’ outfield, he has attracted heavy demand in past trade windows, including the most recent deadline. Rosenthal and Sammon report that interest could once again materialize, though his offseason surgery complicates the situation. The 28-year-old underwent double heel surgery at the end of the year, introducing uncertainty around his Opening Day readiness and overall trade value.
Despite the medical setback, Nootbaar’s skill set still makes him appealing to teams seeking outfield support. His on-base ability, defensive versatility, and years of club control give him upside for clubs willing to be patient with his recovery timeline. If his rehab progresses positively, the outfield market could quickly heat up, especially given how few reliable options are available via free agency.
While the Cardinals are open to offers on several players, they reportedly prefer to keep outfielder Alec Burleson and catcher Iván Herrera. Both young contributors took significant steps forward in 2024 and are viewed as potential foundational pieces. Burleson’s emerging power and improved approach, combined with Herrera’s development as a viable everyday catcher, give the team reason to hold onto them.
Still, St. Louis is keeping communication lines open. Even players like Gorman, a key source of left-handed power, and Páges, a developing defensive catcher, are not fully off-limits. The willingness to listen on the majority of the roster reflects the organization’s desire to retool efficiently rather than commit to a full rebuild.
With the winter meetings approaching and Bloom officially steering baseball operations, the Cardinals seem poised to be one of the more active teams on the trade front. Whether they pursue major roster reshaping or more incremental adjustments, trade chatter around several veterans is likely to intensify — and the next few weeks could set the tone for the franchise’s future direction.
