The St. Louis Cardinals must confront some major concerns this offseason after finishing 78-84 and missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
At the end of the season, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak stepped aside in favor of Chaim Bloom, who would supervise a multi-year reconstruction, something the Cardinals had never attempted under Mozeliak’s leadership. However, this does not mean they cannot add some players to the roster.
While pitching was the Cardinals’ primary issue, they also struggled offensively, scoring only 689 runs. Only the Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and Pittsburgh Pirates had fewer runs in the National League. A particular former Cardinal might help them in free agency.
Cardinals Should Bring Back Former Gold Glover Harrison Bader
Harrison Bader was with the Cardinals from 2017 to 22. He was one of five Cardinals players to win Gold Gloves in 2021 before being traded to the New York Yankees for Jordan Montgomery the following year.
He is presently with the Philadelphia Phillies, who are behind the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 in the National League Division Series. For the most of his career, he has been noted for his quickness and defense.
However, his offense should not be underestimated. This year, he cut. With the Phillies and Minnesota Twins, he hit 277/.347/.449 with 17 home runs, 54 RBI, 4.2 WAR, 11 stolen bases, and an OPS of.796. St. Louis’ outfield struggled offensively in 2025, and Bader could be a good fit for a team that could benefit from an established right-handed bat.
With guys like Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson potentially on the trade board, St. Louis will need outfield assistance, and Bloom would not rule out any acquisitions. Bader brings elite defense, speed, and power from the right side of the plate, which St. Louis has lacked over the last two seasons.
Even after a significantly improved offensive season, the veteran outfielder should not be too pricey for St. Louis. The Cardinals might possibly offer him a multi-year contract with opt-out options.
Since his stint in St. Louis and with the Yankees, Bader has also played for the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets. He was a fan favorite during his time with the Cardinals, and re-signing him may be a popular move with a frustrated fan base.