Strife Palpably Felt by Cardinals as Depicted by Mark DeRosa This Season
Revised Article:
Hey there! Let's dive into the enigmatic world of the St. Louis Cardinals, a team that's been burning up the field one moment, and freezing cold the next. This rollercoaster season has fans scratching their heads, wondering if this team is a contender or a pretender. Their recent string of games has hinted at their potential greatness, yet finds them lingering around the .500 mark, battling it out in a lackluster NL Central.
As the curtain falls on John Mozeliak's tenure, the Cardinals find themselves in a pickle: not winners enough for a playoff run, not losers enough for a full-blown tank, all while undergoing leadership shifts. With a roster brimming with veteran stars, serviceable regulars, and a sprinkling of promising young guns, it's a puzzle for both the organization and fans to decipher their fate in 2025.
Early in the offseason, there seemed to be a consensus—everyone was expecting a fire sale of valuable trade assets. But in recent weeks, the lack of activity has sparked a 50/50 split: should the team stay the course or hit the reset button before Chaim Bloom takes charge?
Former Cardinal and current MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa calls this team a "confusing bunch" with "pieces teams will want." In a recent segment on MLB Central, he weighed both sides of the equation, eventually settling on the idea that the Cardinals have the pieces to compete—or for other teams to covet. He highlights the talents of Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado, and Ryan Helsley as prime trade bait, but also stresses that Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan are young stars worth holding onto.
Veteran pitcher Sonny Gray has been a consistent performer for the Cardinals and is once again off to a strong start this season. While reports mentioned his reluctance to waive the no-trade clause during the offseason, it seems that no discussions have taken place since. Erick Fedde appears to be a likely trade candidate from the rotation, initially reported to be dealt during the offseason but remaining in St. Louis as a mid-rotation starter. However, the question remains: does the team see Fedde as someone worth dealing given their modest pitching depth beyond Michael McGreevy waiting in Memphis?
The future of third baseman Nolan Arenado continues to be a hot topic in trade rumors throughout the season. Although he was pegged as all but gone numerous times in the offseason, he remains with the Cardinals, anchoring the middle of the order and wowing with his elite defensive skills. Potential suitors like the Red Sox seemed enticing due to Triston Casas going down for the year, but with Alex Bregman playing like an All-Star and Rafael Devers flatly refusing to play a position, those talks may cool quickly. Another obstacle in Arenado's potential exit is his no-trade clause and limited list of preferred destinations. A trade of Arenado would be a clear sign of a full-scale reset, so the team would have to be out of the race or receive a jaw-dropping offer to make it happen.
Helsley seems to be the most likely piece to be moved, considering his expiring contract and track record of success as a shutdown closer. However, his interesting usage pattern and the team's indecision on his future may impact his market value. There have been whispers of offers from teams, including a recent proposal from Jim Bowden, but the market for established relievers for contending clubs remains cold.
While holding onto veterans and settling for incremental roster moves, the Cardinals boast a few intriguing young talents worth mentioning. Nootbaar has developed into a formidable leadoff hitter, while Donovan continues to impress as the three-hitter and a versatile defender. Beyond these two standouts, Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II have flashed potential, while Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, and Gordon Graceffo show promise for a strong pitching staff in the future. If the Cardinals decide to bolster their roster for a division run, they may need to deal from the veteran group or risk their crop of prospects for a more guaranteed upgrade. Adding to the conundrum, the return of Ivan Herrera from his rehab assignment might shake up the lineup, potentially costing playing time for some struggling young Cardinals.
As the Cardinals grapple with this complex situation, they'll likely avoid making any major decisions for the foreseeable future. One moment, they can captivate fans with their brilliance, while the next, they leave audiences questioning their ability to compete. In a season filled with highs and lows, one thing is clear: this team is one to watch.
In the world of Major League Baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves at a crossroads, weighing whether to stay the course or hit the reset button before new leadership arrives. Sports analyst Mark DeRosa sees potential in several Cardinals players, including Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado, and Ryan Helsley, who could either contribute to a division run or be sought after by other teams. Helsley, with his expiring contract and shutdown closer abilities, may have the highest market value, but his interesting usage pattern could impact his appeal to contending clubs.
