With roster changes looming around the trade deadline, these three players will be moving scenery in August.
As we enter June, the 2025 MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching. The St. Louis Cardinals have positioned themselves as postseason contenders and are making a serious run at the NL Central crown. For any team in the hunt, standing still isn’t an option—you have to be proactive in improving the roster to stay competitive. Whether the Cardinals aim to bolster their 2025 playoff push or begin shaping the roster for the future, changes are inevitable. Some players on the current roster are either underperforming or likely trade candidates, which means further roster moves are coming. Here are three players who are the most likely to be off the major league roster by the trade deadline.
3. Steven Matz
The likeliest player to be moved by July is Steven Matz. Once a promising starting pitcher, he’s now operating as a stopgap reliever for the Cardinals—likely the only reason he’s still on the big-league roster. Since signing a four-year, $44 million contract, Matz has dealt with injuries and inconsistency. Now in the final year of that deal, he’s trying to reinvent himself as a dependable back-end starter. With the Cardinals prioritizing opportunities for younger talent, Matz’s spot is easily replaceable. A contending team looking for rotation depth may take a chance on him, and the Cardinals should focus on turning that into a long-term gain.
2. JoJo Romero
Romero’s 2025 season got off to a rough start. He was one of the bullpen’s least reliable arms early on, posting a 4.36 ERA in March and April and looking like a DFA candidate. However, his FIP suggested some bad luck, and after a stronger May, his ERA is down to 3.44. Still, the red flags remain. In 18.1 innings, he’s recorded just 13 strikeouts, issued 12 walks, and owns a 4.50 FIP. While his stock has risen, the inconsistency in his performance makes now a good time to explore trade options.
The Cardinals probably won’t get much in return, but it’s better to make a move now than risk needing to DFA him later. Upgrading his bullpen spot could be a key part of maintaining momentum toward the playoffs.
1. Nolan Gorman
Time is running out for Nolan Gorman. Once considered a top-tier power-hitting prospect, his development hasn’t lived up to expectations. The Cardinals entered 2025 hoping Gorman could finally prove himself, but so far, it’s been more of the same. Through limited playing time, Gorman has posted a -0.3 WAR with just 17 hits in 91 at-bats, along with 1 home run and 9 RBIs. His .280 OBP and .297 SLG suggest he’s struggling to get on base and failing to deliver the power he was known for.
Defensively, he’s been average, but with only about half the season’s games played, other contributors have taken on larger roles. It’s uncertain whether the Cardinals will try to trade him by the deadline, but a demotion to Triple-A Memphis seems inevitable. His story with the Cardinals is beginning to feel like a broken record.
