Office personnel of the Cardinals keep creating obstacles for themselves
The St. Louis Cardinals' front office's recent decisions have sparked a wave of fan frustration, contributing to a decline in team performance and a shift towards rebuilding. This rebuilding phase, initiated by the trading of key players at the 2025 trade deadline, has left fans dismayed.
The front office's move to trade fan favourite and All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan, a versatile player adored by the fans, is a significant point of contention. New president Chaim Bloom sees Donovan as a player to trade while his value is high, signalling a departure from maintaining fan favourites. The trade may lead to Donovan's move to the outfield and potential replacement, marking a new organisational philosophy under Bloom.
Another contentious decision was the trade of two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, despite his strong performance. The front office's selling mode is reflected in this move, as Helsley himself expects to be traded. The team's poor performance, with a 6-12 July record and recent sweeps, underscores the difficulties the team is facing on the field.
The front office also made deals involving setup man Phil Maton and left-hander Steven Matz, effectively gutting the big league roster and pivoting towards rebuilding.
John Mozeliak's stepping down at the end of the season, handing control over to Chaim Bloom, marks a significant leadership transition for the Cardinals. Bloom is expected to overhaul player development and the roster, focusing less on immediate contention and more on long-term growth. Despite some indications from Mozeliak that ownership might support investments if needed, the team struggled to cut payroll and shifted strategy by selling established players to acquire prospects, further frustrating fans attached to popular players and diminishing the team’s competitiveness in the short term.
The trade of 2024 NLCS MVP Tommy Edman for Erick Fedde is a decision being defended by some as the correct one. However, the disastrous 2025 season that Fedde had with the Cardinals, followed by his Designated for Assignment (DFA'd) by the team, has led to criticism. The trade of Fedde to the Atlanta Braves is being viewed as another dumpster dive effort by the Cardinals' front office, a decision that has backfired, according to some.
The Cardinals' inaction in addressing rotation issues has positioned them as sellers before the trade deadline, costing them any chance at being a serious playoff threat in the National League. The team's players, led by Oliver Marmol, are not responsible for the team's current position in the NL Wild Card race.
Despite recent history suggesting that the team's moves will continue to be a disaster for Cardinals fans, the front office remains focused on getting the best return for expiring veteran contracts. The team did not tap into the free agency market to find depth pieces for their rotation, a decision that has cost the team the 2025 season and potentially more in the future.
In conclusion, the St. Louis Cardinals' front office's decisions have caused fan unrest and a potential downturn in the team’s immediate performance. The combination of trading popular, productive players, a losing record in the current season, and a leadership transition towards rebuilding has left fans frustrated and uncertain about the team's future.
The decision to trade fan-favorite Tommy Edman, despite his MVP performance, has contributed to the wave of fan discontent. In addition, the trade of Ryan Helsley, a two-time All-Star, signifies the team's shift towards rebuilding and selling veteran players, further fueling fan frustration. Despite the ongoing challenges, the front office remains focused on enhancing the team's future prospects by trading expiring veteran contracts, leading to questions about the current team's competitiveness in MLB.
