Win now? Reset? Cards' crossroads complicates roster decisions

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JUPITER, Fla. -- In a perfect world, defensive ace Michael Siani and/or speedster Victor Scott II would handle the center-field duties for the Cardinals in the season ahead, but instead the club is considering working corner outfielder Lars Nootbaar into the mix.

In a perfect world, Cardinals 2023 Minor League Player of the Year Iv¨¢n Herrera would show dramatic defensive improvement as a catcher, fulfill his enormous potential as a hitter and grab control of the starting job instead of battling Pedro Pag¨¦s for reps behind the plate.

In a perfect world, Matthew Liberatore would be in the bullpen instead of being stretched out as a starter, rookie Michael McGreevy would already have a spot locked down in the regular rotation and 2024 standout Andrew Kittredge would still be setting up games for closer Ryan Helsley instead of pitching for the Orioles.

However, as the Cardinals are quickly learning this spring, roster composition rarely operates in a perfect world. Those issues are some of the ones St. Louis is already grappling with as it tries to project a potential Opening Day lineup. Part of the club¡¯s dilemma is the fence-straddling position it finds itself in following a frustratingly unproductive offseason.

The Cardinals announced a ¡°reset¡± last October that would lead them to trimming payroll and training their focus on developing their young core instead of chasing a 12th World Series title. However, those best-laid plans were thrown off course by a series of events. Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras wanted to return -- positive developments, for sure -- and the team was then unable to accomplish ¡°Goal Nos. 1, 2 and 3¡± of trading Nolan Arenado, who prefers to play for a contender. Instead of being all in on a World Series-or-bust mode or being all in on a ¡°reset,¡± the Cards are perched on a fence somewhere in between.

Follow along with me here: Having Arenado on the roster affects Nolan Gorman, which affects second baseman Brendan Donovan, which affects Nootbaar in left field, which impacts Siani in center. Dizzying stuff, for sure.

Are the Cards in win-now mode, or are they building for the future? Are they resetting around their young core or locked in to playing vets still in the mix? Are the baby ¡®Birds plucky enough to surprise everyone and get to the playoffs, or are they destined to finish just short of the postseason like they did in 2024, when they went 83-79 ¡­ with Paul Goldschmidt, Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson and Kittredge?

¡°There¡¯s a bigger conversation to be had organizationally to be sure that we are making decisions that not only impact the short term, but also the long [term],¡± Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has said repeatedly this spring when asked about what the construction of the roster will look like. ¡°As we get closer to breaking camp, those will be easier to determine.¡±

Those are dilemmas for president of baseball operations John Mozeliak to work out. Undoubtedly, Chaim Bloom, the man in line to run the front office in 2026, will also be in on the decision-making. As for Marmol, he understandably wants to win now, but he also understands the importance of giving youngsters Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker, Gorman, Nootbaar, Herrera and McGreevy long runways at the big league level with which they will either sink or swim.

¡°It¡¯s a great opportunity for all those guys, and we have to make the best decision based on how that impacts other positions,¡± Marmol said. ¡°There¡¯s no secret to it, right? Nolan [Arenado] at third creates different dynamics at second and in the outfield.¡±

The Cards are contemplating trying Nootbaar in center even though he¡¯s had the tough luck of being on the injured list five times in the past two seasons. The club knows it might have to sacrifice defense for offense, and Nootbaar might have to shift to center if Donovan is in left, Gorman is at second and Arenado is at third. The same could happen with the defensively sound Pag¨¦s and Herrera.

Liberatore, who struggled with consistency and getting right-handed hitters out early in his career as a starter, had enormous success as a short-burst reliever in 2024. However, the club is grappling with whether he is best suited as a reliever or a starter long term. Ultimately, Liberatore might be the relief replacement for Kittredge, who signed with the Orioles after leading the National League in holds in 2024. As for McGreevy -- who impressed in four MLB appearances last season -- his chances of making the roster could depend on whether the Cards deal Steven Matz, Miles Mikolas or Erick Fedde.

How the Cardinals ultimately construct their roster will likely speak volumes about their intentions -- win now, or build for the future? -- in the season ahead.