The St. Louis Cardinals appear to be entering a rebuilding phase this season. This became evident early in the offseason when the team chose not to re-sign veteran pitchers like Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn.
The sense of a rebuild grew stronger when the Cardinals put third baseman Nolan Arenado on the trade block and allowed Paul Goldschmidt to depart via free agency, signaling to fans that a new direction was underway.
However, the team has yet to make any significant trades. Key players such as Arenado, Sonny Gray, Erick Fedde, and Ryan Helsley remain on the roster. Trading them could bring back promising prospects and create opportunities for younger players to step into major league roles.
At the moment, top prospect Thomas Saggese is blocked from regular playing time because Arenado still holds the everyday third base job. Moving Arenado would open a path for Saggese to earn consistent at-bats.
It’s time the Cardinals leave Thomas Saggese in the big leagues for good
Thomas Saggese has earned a spot in the big leagues, consistently showcasing his talent when given the chance. Earlier this season, the Cardinals called him up, and he impressed by slashing .341/.364/.512 with a home run and four doubles over 14 games before being sent back to Triple-A. While it’s unrealistic to expect him to maintain those numbers long-term, he was performing far too well to be demoted.
The Cardinals should bring Saggese back to the major league roster before June 1. Though he may not be a future Platinum Glove winner, his defensive versatility allows him to play multiple positions or fill the designated hitter role.
A key part of rebuilding is putting faith in young talent and giving them real opportunities. While the Cardinals have made progress in developing prospects, too many veterans are still blocking the path to meaningful playing time. If they’re serious about rebuilding, they need to clear space for players like Saggese to grow and contribute.