With Chaim Bloom officially taking the reins of Cardinals baseball operations, the rebuilding phase the team has been expected to go through since it was announced that Bloom would replace John Mozeliak in the offseason now looks like it may begin in earnest. That means exploring possibilities on the trade market, with Derek Gould of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporting that the Cardinals told agents at last week’s general manager meeting that their interest in at least some free agents will depend on the team’s ability to clear payroll in trades.
The biggest names in this winter’s rumor mill so far are super versatile Brendan Donovan. Donovan has been linked to the Royals, Guardians and Astros, and other teams are expected to be involved. While the market for the 28-year-old’s services appears to be strong, taking his salary (which MLBTR writer Matt Swartz projects will be $5.4MM in 2026) off the books won’t do much for the team’s bottom line. Of course, Donovan is far from the only name from St. Louis on the trade market. Six Cardinals appear on MLBTR’s list of 40 trade candidates this offseason.
Included are three veterans making big money: Right-handed pitcher sonny graythird baseman Nolan Arenadoand a first baseman who was a catcher. Wilson Contreras. The front office is reportedly willing to include cash in deals for high-priced veterans, and the club’s three veterans with no-trade clauses have all expressed a willingness to implement no-trade protections more loosely than they did last winter. Gould wrote that the Cardinals were “Actively look for ‘fit points'” For Arenado and Gray on the trade market. St. Louis struggled to move Arenado last winter, and it’s no surprise that Gray is guaranteed $400,000 between his $350,000 salary in 2026 and a $50,000 option in 2027.
Even if some salary is retained, the transfers of Gray and Arenado will greatly increase the club’s financial situation. RosterResource projects the Cardinals’ 2026 payroll to be $1.24 million. While that’s down about $200,000 from last year and nearly $400,000 from two years ago, the team’s front office and front office have been candid about plans to reduce payroll in recent years. However, if trading Gray and Arenado can shave $30 to $40 off the Cardinals’ books this year, it should give them more flexibility when considering short-term upgrades in free agency that could either help the club compete next year or become trade chips themselves in the summer.
Notably, Contreras did not appear in Gould’s rumor roundup. This is an interesting development as Contreras could theoretically be the easiest of the three to move on. Having said that, he is also the person least willing to give up non-trade protection. While he said he’s open to considering a possible trade, he still prefers to stay in St. Louis and serve as a veteran leader in the clubhouse as the team retools its roster to get younger. A surprise deal for Contreras could take some trade pressure off Gray and Arenado or open up more possibilities on the trade market for St. Louis, but it’s fair to expect the Cardinals will spend most of their energy trying to trade the veteran most willing to waive his no-trade clause.
In addition to the club’s expensive veterans, Donovan also joins the likes of Lars Nootbar and JoJo Romero As a potential trade chip, Gould wrote, the Cardinals told rival clubs they were willing to listen. Gould noted that all three players will be free agents in two years, as will Gray and Arenado. The only other player in the organization with less than three years of team control is John KingHe was reportedly a trade candidate this summer and filed for waivers after the deadline Jorge Alcala. It wouldn’t be surprising to see King’s name pop up in the rumor mill again at some point, although it seems unlikely that Alcala will have any real trade value after posting an ERA over 6.00 last year.
In terms of returns for the players they hope to trade, Gould added that the Cardinals have made it clear to rival clubs that they will prioritize pitching help and look to the future. As mentioned before, Kansas City and Cleveland have been mentioned as candidates for Donovan and have young, controllable pitching staff that could tempt the Cardinals. The same could be true for teams like the Yankees and Dodgers, which have previously expressed interest in Donovan. Teaming up with the Buccaneers could be an interesting option.
Intra-division trades aren’t typically particularly common, but Pittsburgh general manager Ben Cherington has shown himself to be comfortable dealing with the Cardinals in the past, such as when the two sides came together on a deal involving Jose Quintana and John Oviedo 2022 Trade Deadline. The Pirates have a lot of young pitching and will need help from Donovan and Nootball in the outfield. Boston, Bloom’s old stomping grounds, also has a wealth of young pitching, though their current glut of left-field talent may make them less suitable for the likes of Donovan and, especially, Nootball.
