So, it actually happened. After years of the St. Louis front office talking about "retooling" or "resetting" while basically just doing the same old thing, the band-aid hasn't just been pulled off. It’s been vaporized. If you’ve been following the trade rumors STL Cardinals fans have been obsessing over since October, the reality of January 2026 is hitting like a mid-winter Missouri ice storm.
Nolan Arenado is gone. Sonny Gray is gone. Willson Contreras is in Boston.
It’s a lot to process for a fan base that’s used to being "in it" every single year. But honestly? This might be the most honest the organization has been with itself in a decade. Chaim Bloom has taken the keys from John Mozeliak and started a literal fire sale. But the smoke hasn't cleared yet. While the big names have moved, the rumor mill is still churning because there are still a few valuable pieces left on this roster that don't exactly fit a timeline focused on 2027 or 2028.
The Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar Situation
If you want to know what the scouts are whispering about right now, it’s not the superstars. It’s the "glue guys." Specifically, Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar.
Donovan is basically the ultimate trade chip. He’s got that Gold Glove versatility, he’s cheap, and he’s controllable. Teams like the Mariners or even the Dodgers (who always seem to want every versatile infielder on the planet) are reportedly sniffing around. The rumor is that Bloom wants "high-upside pitching" back for Donovan. Not just some "innings eater" like the Cardinals usually target, but actual arms with velocity and swing-and-miss stuff.
Nootbaar is a trickier one. Fans love him. The international marketing value is huge. But if the Cardinals are truly tearing it down to the studs, you have to ask if Noot is more valuable as a starting outfielder in 2026 or as the centerpiece of a deal that brings back a top-50 pitching prospect.
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- Brendan Donovan: High probability of being moved before Spring Training.
- Lars Nootbaar: The "internal debate" candidate; front office is split on whether to keep his personality in the clubhouse.
- JoJo Romero: Almost certain to be traded to a contender needing a lefty specialist.
The Diamondbacks just snagged Arenado, but word is they aren't done talking to St. Louis. They need more than just a 35-year-old glove at third; they need depth, and the Cardinals have it.
Why the Nolan Arenado Deal Changed Everything
We have to talk about the money. The Cardinals sent $31 million to Arizona just to make that Arenado trade happen. Think about that. They are paying a guy $31 million to play against them.
According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, the Cardinals are currently on track to pay about $41 million in 2026 to players who aren't even on their roster. That is the second-highest "dead money" total in MLB history, trailing only the 2024 Mets. It sounds like a disaster, but it’s actually a strategy. By eating that cash now, Bloom was able to get Jack Martinez and other prospects that would have been untouchable if Arizona had to pay the full salary.
It’s a total shift in philosophy. Usually, the DeWitts hate "wasting" money. This year, they are treating that cash as a tool to buy better prospects.
Who is Actually Left?
With Gray and Arenado gone, the rotation is... well, it’s a "work in progress," to put it kindly. They signed Dustin May and Ryne Stanek to one-year "prove it" deals.
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You’ve seen this movie before. The Cardinals sign a veteran on the cheap, hope he pitches well for four months, and then flip him at the July deadline for more prospects. It’s the "Chaim Bloom Special." If Dustin May’s arm stays attached to his body, he is 100% going to be the #1 name in trade rumors STL Cardinals fans hear about come July.
The "Young Core" (The Un-Tradeables)
There are a few guys that Bloom has reportedly taken off the table. If a team calls about these names, the conversation ends pretty quickly:
- JJ Wetherholt: The future. He’s the crown jewel of the new era.
- Masyn Winn: The shortstop of the next decade.
- Jordan Walker: They still believe in the ceiling, even if the floor has been shaky.
- Tink Hence and Quinn Mathews: The only young arms with "Ace" potential currently in the system.
The Right-Handed Bat Search
Despite the "sell, sell, sell" vibe, the Cardinals are actually looking to add one specific thing: a veteran right-handed bat.
Kyle Gibson recently mentioned on the Cardinal Territory podcast that Isiah Kiner-Falefa would be a perfect fit. Why would a rebuilding team want IKF? Because the lineup is incredibly left-handed. Between Alec Burleson, Nolan Gorman, and Brendan Donovan (if he stays), they are drowning in lefties.
They need a professional adult in the room who can hit a left-handed slider and play three different positions while the kids figure out how to be big leaguers. Rhys Hoskins is another name that keeps popping up. He’d provide some much-needed pop and a veteran presence that left the building when Paul Goldschmidt’s contract expired.
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What Happens Next?
The next two weeks are going to be chaotic. Pitchers and catchers report in mid-February, and the Cardinals want their roster "reset" finished before then.
Expect at least one more "significant" trade involving a core veteran. If I’m a betting man, I’m looking at the bullpen. JoJo Romero is a luxury a rebuilding team doesn't need. He’s a high-leverage lefty that could net a very decent Double-A starter from a team like the Phillies or Rangers.
Honestly, the "Cardeway" of doing things—mediocre consistency—is dead. This is a full-scale demolition. It’s going to be a rough summer at Busch Stadium if you’re looking at the win-loss column, but for the first time in years, the farm system is actually gaining top-tier talent instead of trading it away for 38-year-old starters.
The Actionable Takeaway: If you’re a fan, keep your eyes on the Mariners and Blue Jays. Both teams need the exact type of "high-floor" utility players the Cardinals are currently shopping. If a trade for Donovan or Nootbaar goes down, look for the return to be "projectable" pitching—guys who throw 98 mph but might be a year away from the Bigs. That’s the Chaim Bloom blueprint.
Watch the waiver wire too. The Cardinals have the payroll flexibility now to take on a "bad" short-term contract if it comes with a draft pick or a prospect. It’s a boring way to build a team, but it’s how you get back to 90 wins by 2027.