The St. Louis Cardinals finished below.500 for the second time in three years during the 2025 season, as expected.
With Chaim Bloom in charge of baseball operations, the organization will take a new direction and focus on the future. In all likelihood, St. Louis will not improve significantly by 2026.
Despite the shift in direction, the Cardinals’ hopes are not gone. Even with certain players on the trading market heading into the summer, there are ways to improve for 2026. Here are two big predictions for the next season.
The Cardinals Will Finish With A Winning Record
This is certainly a hot take, as the Cardinals are unlikely to go nuts in free agency following another losing season. However, it is not impossible.
While making the playoffs is unlikely, the Cardinals may still take strides ahead in 2026. Bloom’s arrival should inject new enthusiasm into the club, the front office, and even the coaching staff.
The addition of JJ Wetherholt should also excite the team. While this does not guarantee a postseason appearance, Wetherholt is their top prospect and is anticipated to become a superstar.
With Bloom leading the way and Wetherholt on the roster, the Cardinals will get a breath of fresh air and may surpass expectations as a consequence.
Oli Marmol Will Win National League Manager Of The Year
If one thing was shown in 2025, it was that Oli Marmol is the perfect guy to lead the Cardinals, and he received a contract extension before the 2024 season.
By all accounts, Marmol’s roster was weaker than 2024’s, yet he found a way to make the most of what he had. He was able to carve out playing time for younger players this season, allowing them to make significant progress.
Marmol will face new hurdles in 2026, as the Cardinals’ roster is likely to change, but he has demonstrated that he can accomplish more with fewer resources.
He will continue to grow as a young manager and will once again find a way to make the most of what he has at his disposal, and he will be rewarded for his efforts, not only with some hardware, but also with another contract extension.