The St. Louis Cardinals, one of baseball’s most historically successful franchises, have been mired in disappointment over the past three seasons. Following a stretch in which they reached the playoffs four straight years from 2019 through 2022, the organization has suddenly hit a wall, and the once-reliable October contender is now on pace to miss the postseason for the third year in a row. For a franchise that prides itself on consistency, that kind of downturn has not only raised questions about the roster but has also come at a time when leadership at the very top is shifting. The combination of prolonged underachievement on the field and a change in ownership has sparked speculation that significant roster changes could be coming soon.
Kerry Miller has outlined the possibility that the Cardinals could part ways with three of their most recognizable veterans: catcher Willson Contreras, pitcher Sonny Gray, and third baseman Nolan Arenado. All three players are set to hit free agency after the upcoming season, which makes them natural trade chips for a front office looking to retool. Miller framed their possible departures as part of a larger philosophical reset in St. Louis. With John Mozeliak’s long tenure as the top decision-maker giving way to new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, Miller suggested that the Cardinals may be ready to wipe the slate clean, shed expensive contracts, and pivot fully toward the future rather than clinging to familiar but costly veterans.
That transition from Mozeliak to Bloom has been a recurring theme throughout national broadcasts of Cardinals games this year, and it has fueled the expectation that Bloom could undertake a dramatic housecleaning this winter. Moving Contreras, Gray, and Arenado, however, is not without challenges. Each player has a full no-trade clause in his contract, which means that the front office cannot simply move them at will. Miller acknowledged this complication but argued that the players might be open to leaving if it meant joining a contender.
For veterans who still want a shot at a championship, the appeal of playing for a team with a legitimate title window over the next two years could outweigh the comfort of staying in St. Louis during what increasingly looks like a rebuilding period. Miller even speculated that a candid conversation between Bloom and the players could help pave the way, particularly if the team emphasizes both its future plans and the financial flexibility it would gain by saving upward of \$100 million in payroll.
The dynamics are different for each player. Arenado, for instance, has already exercised his no-trade rights in the past—most notably last year when he vetoed a trade to the Houston Astros, choosing instead to stick with the Cardinals despite the team’s struggles. That decision makes it less certain whether he would waive his clause this time around, though his patience could wear thin if the organization signals a full-scale rebuild. For Gray and Contreras, less is known about how strongly they might cling to their contractual protections. Both are competitors, and if winning remains a priority for them, they might be persuaded to approve a deal to a team with clearer championship aspirations.
Miller even floated the idea of Bloom packaging all three in one blockbuster trade to maximize the return and make a bold statement about the new era of Cardinals baseball. While such a scenario would certainly grab headlines, it seems far more likely that each player would be moved in separate deals tailored to their respective markets. By going that route, the Cardinals could potentially extract more value while also targeting specific needs for their roster moving forward. Regardless of the exact approach, the overall message is clear: the Cardinals appear ready to step into a new phase, and for Contreras, Gray, and Arenado, that could mean their time in St. Louis is nearing its end.