You won't find a live box score for the Birds today. No home runs at Busch, no web gems in the outfield, and definitely no "Final/10" popping up on your phone. It’s January 17, 2026, and the only St Louis Cardinals score now that matters is the tally Chaim Bloom is keeping in the front office.
While the diamond is covered in literal or metaphorical frost, the organization is currently smack in the middle of its most aggressive identity shift since the early 90s. If you’re looking for a result, look at the roster. It's being gutted and rebuilt in real-time. The "score" is a massive reduction in payroll and a sudden influx of prospects that actually have scouts excited for the first time in years.
The Winter Warm-Up is the Real Scoreboard
Honestly, if you're in downtown St. Louis today, the action is at Ballpark Village. The Winter Warm-Up is officially underway. This is the two-day fan fest where the "score" is measured in autograph lines and the "vibe check" of a fanbase that's been through the ringer.
Fans are getting their first look at the post-Arenado era. Just four days ago, the unthinkable happened: Nolan Arenado was shipped back to the desert. The Diamondbacks grabbed the future Hall of Famer, and in return, the Cardinals got a massive salary dump and a right-handed lottery ticket named Jack Martinez.
It hurts. You've probably seen the jerseys being put in the back of the closet already. But this is the reality of the 2026 Cardinals. They finished 78-84 last year—fourth in a mediocre NL Central. The old way of "retooling" while staying competitive just wasn't working anymore.
Who is Actually on This Team?
Basically, Chaim Bloom is doing exactly what he was hired to do: clear the deck. Gone is Sonny Gray (sent to Boston). Gone is Willson Contreras (also to the Red Sox). The "score" for Bloom is how many cost-controlled arms he can stack up before Spring Training starts in Jupiter next month.
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Here is the current state of the rotation, which looks wildly different than it did six months ago:
- Dustin May: The high-risk, high-reward signing of the winter. If he stays healthy, he’s an ace. If not... well, it’s a one-year flyer.
- Matthew Liberatore: He finally settled his arbitration at $2.26 million. He’s no longer the "prospect with potential"; he’s a 29-start veteran who needs to lead this staff.
- Hunter Dobbins: A key piece from the Contreras trade. He’s young, cheap, and has the kind of strikeout stuff the Cardinals haven't developed internally in a decade.
- Andre Pallante: The groundball king who just avoided arbitration himself. He’s the safety net.
The infield is where things get truly weird. Without Arenado at third, the path is wide open for JJ Wetherholt. If you haven't seen his highlights from Springfield last year, go fix that. He's the guy. He’s the reason fans are actually showing up to the Winter Warm-Up today with a sliver of hope. He’s expected to be the centerpiece of the 2026 Opening Day lineup.
The Arbitration "Win"
Most years, the Cardinals have at least one messy public fight over a few hundred thousand dollars. Not this time. Bloom managed to get everyone—Nolan Gorman, Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, and Alec Burleson—signed and sealed before the deadline.
Getting the St Louis Cardinals score now to reflect "Zero Arbitration Hearings" is a massive win for team chemistry. It avoids that awkward week where the front office has to tell a player's agent why their client isn't actually that good just to save a buck.
Nolan Gorman, in particular, is an interesting case. He settled for $2.655 million. That’s a steal if he hits 30 homers, but a headache if his strikeout rate stays north of 33%. With Arenado gone, Gorman doesn't just have to be a power threat; he has to be a cornerstone.
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Why This Offseason Feels Different
For years, the Cardinals operated under a "budget-conscious but competitive" mandate. It led to a lot of 82-80 seasons and early playoff exits. This year? The payroll is projected to be the lowest it’s been since 2010 (inflation-adjusted, it’s even lower).
It’s a full-blown rebuild, even if they won't use that word in the brochures. By trading away the "untouchable" veterans, they’ve cleared space for guys like Victor Scott II to actually play every day.
"Adding experienced guys back there is definitely something on our minds," Bloom said recently regarding the bullpen.
He isn't lying. He just signed Ryne Stanek to a one-year deal. It’s a classic "flip candidate" move. If Stanek pitches well in April and May, expect him to be traded for more prospects by July. That is the 2026 Cardinals playbook.
What’s Next for the Birds?
The "live score" won't change until March 26, when the Cardinals host the Tampa Bay Rays for Opening Day at Busch. Between now and then, the focus stays on the trade market.
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There are still rumors swirling around Brendan Donovan. He’s the ultimate "glue guy," but his value has never been higher. If a team like Seattle or Baltimore gets desperate for a versatile leadoff hitter who doesn't strike out, Bloom might pull the trigger on one more blockbuster.
If you're a fan, the actionable steps are simple:
- Watch the Prospect Rankings: Keep an eye on Jack Martinez and the arms coming up from Memphis. That's where the real wins are happening.
- Monitor the Bullpen Market: There are still lefties like Justin Wilson and Andrew Chafin out there. If the Cardinals grab one, it means they're trying to at least stay respectable in the standings.
- Check the Caravan Schedule: The Cardinals Caravan is hitting places like Memphis and Evansville this weekend. It’s the best way to hear the "unfiltered" thoughts of the broadcasters and alumni about where this team is headed.
The St Louis Cardinals score now is 0-0, just like everyone else. But for the first time in a long time, the front office isn't just playing for today; they're finally playing for the future. The rebuild is here, it’s loud, and it’s about time.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire over the next 48 hours. With the Winter Warm-Up in full swing, the team usually likes to make one "fan-friendly" minor move—think a veteran bench bat or a familiar face on a minor league deal—to keep the headlines moving. Otherwise, enjoy the break from the box scores; the stress of the NL Central will be back soon enough.