Projecting the new-look Cardinals' Opening Day roster
John Denton
@JohnDenton555JUPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals' roster this season will look dramatically different than any other in the previous three decades, with youth and inexperience dominating all corners of it. However, the Cards still feel like they have enough budding talent to remain competitive -- and possibly push for a playoff spot in 2025.
Gone are Paul Goldschmidt, Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson and Andrew Kittredge. Third baseman Nolan Arenado could soon join them if he doesn¡¯t flex the no-trade clause in his contract to block a second deal. The Redbirds will lean heavily on veterans Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and Ryan Helsley, supplementing them with younger talents Masyn Winn, Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, Andre Pallante and Michael McGreevy (Cards' 2024 No. 10 prospect).
Here is version 1.0 of what the Cardinals' ¡°reset¡± roster figures to look like on Opening Day, when they host the Twins at Busch Stadium on March 27:
Catcher (2): Iván Herrera, Pedro Pagés
The Cardinals believe so much in Herrera and Pag¨¦s that they moved Contreras to first base. The problem, however, is that neither is a perfect player. Herrera, 24, hit .301 with an .800 OPS, but he threw out just four of 59 baserunners last season. Pitchers love throwing to Pag¨¦s, but he must improve upon a .657 OPS to be an everyday catcher.
First baseman (1): Willson Contreras
Largely a catcher and designated hitter for the past nine seasons, Contreras will switch to first base, a position he¡¯s played just 11 times in his career and not since 2019. The impetus was Contreras appearing in just 84 games last season because of injuries. He¡¯ll split time at first and DH with the blossoming Alec Burleson.
Second baseman (2): Brendan Donovan, Thomas Saggese
Donovan, who is seemingly headed for an arbitration hearing with the Cardinals, has been a do-everything master over the past three years. The Cards are eager to find ways to play No. 4 prospect Saggese, who finished second in hitting (.391) in the Arizona Fall League.
Shortstop (1): Masyn Winn
Winn, who doesn¡¯t turn 23 years old until March 21, cleared up all the questions about his bat during a rookie season that went far better than most expected. The next challenge for Winn: steal 30-40 bases in 2025.
Third baseman (1): Nolan Gorman
This, of course, is contingent on the Cardinals trading Arenado. The Cards want to open consistent playing time for another player named Nolan, one who played the hot corner while coming up through the Minor Leagues. All eyes will be on Gorman at the plate this spring to see if he has figured out the swing issues that led to him striking out 151 times in 365 at-bats in 2024.
Outfielders (3): Lars Nootbaar, Jordan Walker, Michael Siani
Nootbaar finished in baseball¡¯s top 10 percentile in hard-hit rate (49.5%) and made hard contact on 21.9% of his swings last season, which was third best in MLB behind just Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Staying healthy is the key, as he¡¯s been on the IL five times in the past two seasons. Much like with Gorman, the Cards have a lot riding on a big bounce-back season from Walker, who is still loaded with talent and potential despite two rocky MLB seasons.
DH (1): Alec Burleson
When Spring Training started in 2024, Burleson looked like he might get squeezed out because of a lack of opportunities. However, injuries to three outfielders opened chances for Burleson, who evolved into one of the feel-good stories of the season for the Redbirds. Contreras will split time at DH to keep his bat in the lineup and to give Burleson more reps at first base.
Bench/Utility (4): Victor Scott II, Michael Helman, Pag¨¦s, Saggese
The Cardinals need the speed and athleticism of Scott in the lineup, but he must prove he can hit MLB pitching. St. Louis dealt for Helman last week to build third base/outfield depth if/when Arenado is dealt. He¡¯ll face a camp battle from Jos¨¦ Ferm¨ªn.
Starting pitchers (5): Sonny Gray, Andre Pallante, Erick Fedde, Michael McGreevy, Miles Mikolas
Gray chose to stay in St. Louis rather than ask for a trade, and he is the unquestioned ace. The Cards are hoping for big things from reliever-turned-starter Pallante, who allowed three or fewer earned runs in 15 of his 20 starts last season. McGreevy building on his promise and Mikolas bouncing back are big question marks.
Relief pitchers (8): Ryan Helsley, JoJo Romero, Ryan Fernandez, Matthew Liberatore, John King, Steven Matz, Chris Roycroft, Gordon Graceffo
Helsley authored the greatest season by a reliever in the rich history of the Cardinals in 2024, but how long will he remain with the club with free agency looming? Matz is also entering his walk year. Liberatore and Fernandez must fill the high-leverage innings manned by Kittredge in 2024.