3 free agents Cardinals must sign to win the NL Central and more in 2025.
The St. Louis Cardinals are poised to miss the playoffs after being active at the trade deadline, and if changes aren’t made for 2025, there could be unrest among fans in St. Louis.
The Cardinals find themselves in a difficult position: they’re too old and expensive for a rebuild, yet not strong enough to contend. They are stuck in mediocrity, which is arguably the worst scenario for a franchise.
Despite this, the front office decided to buy rather than sell at the trade deadline, hoping to bolster their chances. Last offseason, they committed significant money to players, and if they want to compete, they’ll need to be aggressive in free agency.
Here are three ideal free-agent targets for St. Louis:
3. SP Blake Snell, Giants
Blake Snell of the San Francisco Giants has experienced a tumultuous season. After a mismanaged offseason led to a short-term deal with the Giants and a missed spring training, he struggled early on. However, he has since regained his form and is once again pitching at a Cy Young level. It’s likely he’ll opt for free agency rather than exercising his player option. The Cardinals could benefit from trading Miles Mikolas to create both salary and roster space for Snell, who would bring a significant upgrade to their rotation as a top-tier pitcher.
2. OF Anthony Santander, Orioles
The Cardinals’ outfield has faced challenges this season, particularly in generating power. While they hoped Jordan Walker would step up, his performance has been inconsistent. They need a reliable, powerful bat in the outfield, and Baltimore’s Anthony Santander fits the bill. He has emerged as a standout player, currently hitting .237/.307/.506 with 41 home runs and close to 100 RBIs. While the Orioles are keen to re-sign him, the Cardinals could attract him with a substantial offer, making him an ideal addition to their lineup.
1. 1B Pete Alonso, Mets
With the likelihood of Paul Goldschmidt departing in free agency, the Cardinals might consider acquiring Pete Alonso from the Mets. If they choose to keep Goldschmidt, their chances of landing Alonso diminish, but they could potentially retain both by shifting one to designated hitter. Alonso has posted impressive numbers this season, hitting .246/.331/.472 with 33 home runs and 86 RBIs, proving himself as one of the league’s top power hitters. Despite ongoing trade speculation, the Mets have retained him, but with the possibility of making moves for Juan Soto, the Cardinals could seize the opportunity to bring Alonso to St. Louis as an ideal replacement for Goldschmidt.