Today marks another major checkpoint in the MLB offseason. By 3 p.m. CST, all 30 teams must decide which players to keep on their 40-man rosters and which to remove in order to protect eligible prospects from the Rule 5 Draft on December 10 at the Winter Meetings in Orlando.
With the deadline approaching, this is a good moment to look at where the Cardinals’ 40-man roster stands, which prospects are likely additions, and who may be on the chopping block. As we get closer to the Rule 5 Draft, I’ll break down some players who might interest St. Louis once we know who becomes available. Typically, Rule 5 targets include relievers, backup catchers and bench pieces — though last year’s White Sox selection of Shane Smith at No. 1 showed that exceptions happen.
Players expected to stay on the 40-man roster
C: Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pagés, Jimmy Crooks
1B: Willson Contreras
2B: Brendan Donovan, Bryan Torres
3B: Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, César Prieto
SS: Masyn Winn, Thomas Saggese
OF: Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker, Victor Scott II, Lars Nootbaar, Nathan Church
SP: Sonny Gray, Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante, Kyle Leahy, Tink Hence, T.K. Roby, Sem Robberse
RP: Riley O’Brien, JoJo Romero, Matt Svanson, Ryan Fernandez, Gordon Graceffo, Andre Granillo
That’s 30 players who appear locked in.
Players likely to be added
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C Leonardo Bernal
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1B Blaze Jordan
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OF Joshua Báez
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LHP Brycen Mautz
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LHP Cooper Hjerpe
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LHP Pete Hansen
These additions would push the roster to 36.
A strong case can also be made for RHP Austin Love, who posted a 2.41 ERA with a 27.3% strikeout rate over 56 innings for Double-A Springfield. His high walk rate (11.3%) and 3.50 FIP raise questions, but with a 70-grade slider, he’s the type of high-upside arm the Cardinals should consider protecting — similar to Andre Granillo.
Players on the bubble
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UT José Fermín
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RHP Chris Roycroft
Fermín becomes more expendable with the arrival of Bryan Torres. He’s shown little at the MLB level beyond a strong 50 plate appearances last season and is out of options, making him a likely cut. Roycroft has big-league arm strength and a nasty sinker, but his cutter/slider was ineffective. Unless the Cardinals believe they can fix it, his roster spot is in jeopardy.
Players likely to be removed from the 40-man
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C Yohel Pozo
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LHP John King
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RHP Jorge Alcala
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LHP Nick Raquet
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OF Matt Koperniak
Pozo is expected to be outrighted and then re-signed to a minor league deal for AAA depth. King struggled last season and is tied to the previous regime’s pitching approach, making his $2.1 million projection expendable. Alcala has good stuff but lacks flexibility and is also owed $2.1 million. Raquet was a fun story, debuting at age 30, but doesn’t have a long-term role. Koperniak, despite a better second half, is buried on the outfield depth chart.
The non-tender deadline arrives Friday, Nov. 21, and players like Donovan, Nootbaar, Romero, Pallante, Gorman, Liberatore, and Burleson are all expected to receive contracts.
Once Friday passes, teams will have a clear picture of who’s available and can fully shift into building toward their 2026 goals.