Cardinals expected to shop around key pieces this offseason

The St. Louis Cardinals have plenty of soul searching to do this offseason. After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the team will re-evaluate its roster, and search for upgrades heading into 2026.

The Cardinals are currently 77-80, and are soon-to-be eliminated from postseason contention in the National League. Even before the offseason officially begins, there is already much speculation about which direction the team may go in. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch expects the Cardinals to shop both Sonny Gray and Nolan Arenado this offseason. 

“Gray has yet to see a playoff game with the Cardinals. The Cardinals have not won a playoff game with Arenado at third,” Goold said. “The two veterans are set to make a combined $60 million next season, and the Cardinals want to trim costs and lean into a farm-fueled model that could take several years before they contend.”

Both players have been key to the Cardinals’ success in the past, but aren’t the same impactful pieces they once were. Arenado dealt with injuries throughout the season, and is slashing .236/.290/.365 with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs this season in 103 games. 

As for Gray, he’s pitching to a 14-8 record with a 4.33 ERA, his highest-mark since he posted a 4.90 ERA with the New York Yankees in 2018. As the Cardinals are facing a potential rebuild, it’s expected that both he and Arenado will be shopped around this offseason as the Cardinals look to gain assets for their once valuable pieces.