Friday, October 10

ST. LOUIS -- During an introductory news conference and an additional hour-long question-and-answer session following his assumption of the Cardinals' president of baseball operations role, Chaim Bloom talked candidly about players already in place, his beliefs on patience and strategy, and his desires to never stray from a long-term vision that should help the club ultimately return to contention.

Never once, however, did Bloom mention the word “rebuilding” -- even though the 2026 season could feature many of the characteristics that are usually associated with a retool of an organization.

Spending, used to supplement the squad already in place, is likely to mirror revenues that plummeted in 2025 with a reconfigured TV rights deal and lagging attendance. Multiple veteran players are looking to potentially play elsewhere with the Cards likely years away from contention again. And youngsters JJ Wetherholt (St. Louis' No. 1 prospect), Quinn Mathews (No. 5 prospect) and Jimmy Crooks (No. 6 prospect) will likely figure heavily into the makeup of the ‘26 roster.

Still, Bloom wasn’t ready to surrender anything. 

“A lot of people will call it a lot of different things, and that’s OK with me,” Bloom said about if the Cards will be in rebuilding mode in 2026. “It’s really just about staying focused on the goal and trying to make move after move that pushes us toward it.”

Here are five of the most pressing questions facing the Cardinals this offseason:

1) With John Mozeliak gone, how will things change under the direction of Bloom? 

The Yale grad’s history with the Rays and Red Sox shows that Bloom is likely to be patient and strategic with his decisions, and he'll be willing to remain steadfast in not sacrificing the future for short-term gains. Also, his five-year deal in his new position will allow for him to focus on the long term and resist quick-fix options.

Bloom likes the core of talent that the Cards already have in place -- Brendan Donovan, Iván Herrera, Willson Contreras, Masyn Winn, Alec Burleson, Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, JoJo Romero, Riley O’Brien, Kyle Leahy and Matt Svanson -- but that group will need additions to contend with the upper crust in the National League.

Will Bloom be given the financial resources to supplement that core group with free-agent talent?

2) Will the Cardinals and Nolan Arenado part ways this offseason? 

On the same day when the Cards made Arenado a ceremonial starter and lifted him before the first pitch so he could hear the cheers at Busch Stadium one last time, the former star stated the obvious: “I don’t know what is going to happen, but I do believe that change is coming -- as it should.”

Change, of course, almost came last December when the Cardinals worked out a deal to send Arenado to the Astros only to see the third baseman flex the no-trade clause in his contract. This time around, St. Louis expects Arenado -- who will turn 35 before Opening Day -- to be more agreeable to trades to contenders and even noncontenders. The question now, however, is which team will want Arenado and the $42 million he’s owed?

Bloom has already stated that the Cards will not waive Arenado and are even open to welcoming him back. But it’s hard to see either side being happy with that setup. To clear out third base for others -- Nolan Gorman or Wetherholt -- the Cards will likely have to entice trade partners. If the club is willing to pay $15 million to $20 million of Arenado’s contract or even include an elite prospect, might that make the 10-time Gold Glover more attractive to contending teams such as the Red Sox, Phillies or Mets?

3) Will the club continue to show patience with Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker? 

When Bloom addressed the “runway” seasons for Gorman and Walker in 2025, he stressed that both players showed promising “flashes” of their immense talents, but consistency was still an issue for both. The club believes Gorman will be better positioned for success if he can go into the season knowing that he is the starter at third -- something that will require an Arenado transaction.

As for Walker, the club is concerned about the 6-foot-6 outfielder’s willingness to adopt the changes needed to succeed. Too often, Walker’s pitch selection and tendency to pull off the ball are still issues. Bloom thinks Walker will ultimately have success, and the Cards are hopeful it is with them. However, there is a limit to their patience, and Walker could be staring at his final opportunity in St. Louis.   

4) How will the Cards fill out the pitching rotation for 2026? 

Bloom’s first order this offseason is to convince Sonny Gray to stay in St. Louis for 2026. Following his final start, Gray spoke of his desire to play for a contender in what might be his final big league season. Fans love to debate the merits of Gray as an ace, but this stat should factor into any argument: The 78-win Cards went 21-11 in Gray’s 32 starts in 2025.

Liberatore finished his first full big league season as a starter strong, and the club feels he has the stuff to be a solid No. 2 starter. McGreevy doesn’t have swing-and-miss stuff, but he’s a winner who works to find a way. Leahy, who had a breakthrough season in 2025, will get a long look as a starter.

The final spot could come down to Andre Pallante and Mathews. While Bloom acknowledged it was “obviously a bumpy year for Mathews,” it wasn’t anywhere near what Pallante endured while going winless over his last 10 starts (two no-decisions).

5) Does Wetherholt make the Opening Day roster and where does he play? 

The Cards chose not to elevate Wetherholt -- ranked as the No. 5 overall in baseball by MLB Pipeline -- even though spending the final month of the season at the MLB level likely would have been beneficial to him.

Still, the club views him as an almost can’t-miss prospect because of the completeness of his arsenal as a hitter. He can spray the ball and drive it, he can hit at the top of the lineup or even in the middle, and he seems unfazed by velocity or spin. 

The guess here: Wetherholt is the team’s starting second baseman and leadoff hitter on Opening Day. 

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