The St. Louis Cardinals have spent most of this offseason subtracting rather than adding. Still, the front office insists 2025 won’t be a full-scale teardown.
With Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras already out the door and several veterans on the block, the club is now hunting for a very specific piece. They want a short-term, right-handed power bat for the corner outfield who can also fortify a reshaped lineup in flux.
Cardinals Offseason: A Roster in Transition
The Cardinals’ winter has been defined by movement, but not the kind that usually excites a fan base. Instead of loading up for a run, St. Louis has focused on reshuffling its core as it eyes a more flexible, future-focused roster construction.
Key Departures and the Changing Core
The headliners of the Cardinals’ offseason exodus are familiar names. Sonny Gray, the staff anchor, and Willson Contreras, the high-priced catcher/DH, have already been traded.
The front office has also made it clear that Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, and JoJo Romero could be next in line to move if the right offers arrive. These aren’t minor changes—these are core pieces, and their potential departure underscores how dramatically the roster could look different within a year.
St. Louis seems willing to sacrifice short-term certainty for payroll flexibility, prospect capital, and a cleaner competitive window. It’s a bold approach, but one that might just pay off in the long run.
Dustin May Signing Shows It’s Not a Pure Rebuild
For all the subtraction, the Cardinals made a notable addition in Dustin May, signing the right-hander to a $12.5 million deal. That move sends a clear signal: this is not a franchise punting on 2025.
May, when healthy, offers top-of-the-rotation stuff. His acquisition hints at the Cardinals’ willingness to take calculated risks on upside while they reshuffle the position-player mix.
The front office is still seeking similar short-term upgrades elsewhere on the roster. It’s a little surprising, honestly, but maybe that’s the point.
The Search for a Right-Handed Power Outfielder
With Contreras gone and multiple left-handed bats set for key roles, the Cardinals’ lineup needs balance. That’s where the hunt for a right-handed, power-hitting outfielder comes into focus.
President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has been explicit: adding a right-handed corner outfield bat is a priority. That need has only grown after the Contreras trade removed one of the lineup’s most established right-handed power threats.
Why the Profile Matters
The projected corner outfield alignment currently features Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker. Both come with question marks:
On the infield corners, Alec Burleson is expected to take over as the primary first baseman after only limited starts there in 2025. Iván Herrera profiles as a left-handed DH option.
A right-handed corner bat could:
Free-Agent Fits: Short-Term, High-Impact Targets
The free-agent market isn’t overflowing with perfect solutions. Still, there are several intriguing short-term fits who match what St. Louis is seeking.
Among the more logical names:
Trade Market and Utility Options
Beyond pure outfielders, the Cardinals could also look toward more versatile pieces who help in multiple spots while balancing the lineup.
Potential targets include:
Those types of players align well with Bloom’s clear preference for versatility and adaptability as he reshapes the roster. It’s not flashy, but maybe that’s exactly what the Cardinals need right now.
Infield Picture Without Arenado and Donovan
If the Cardinals pull the trigger on deals for Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan, the infield could be almost unrecognizable from its recent iterations. Yet the organization believes it has internal answers and help on the way.
Nolan Gorman’s Opportunity and JJ Wetherholt’s Timeline
In a post-Arenado world, Nolan Gorman stands out as the top choice for everyday third base duties. He’s got real left-handed power, and maybe a permanent spot at the hot corner lets him focus more on hitting.
Honestly, simplifying his defensive role could help his bat shine even more. It’s a gamble, sure, but one the Cardinals might have to take.
Looking a bit further down the road, top prospect JJ Wetherholt is lurking as a possible game-changer. He’ll probably start the season in Triple-A, but there’s a chance he makes the majors by 2026.
If that happens, the Cardinals get another high-upside infielder to build around as this transition unfolds. There’s always some uncertainty with prospects, but the upside’s hard to ignore.
Right now, the Cardinals’ offseason feels like a balancing act. They’ve got to move veterans, clear space for young talent, and still find a right-handed, power-hitting outfielder to avoid writing off 2025 entirely.
Here is the source article for this story: Cardinals Looking To Add Righty Outfield Bat
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