Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals 'Ruined Front Office Plans' Per MLB Insider

The Cardinals' front office came into the season looking to rebuild but the roster had other plans.
Zach Pressnell|
May 24, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates with catcher Yohel Pozo (63) after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
May 24, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates with catcher Yohel Pozo (63) after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

In this story:

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals came into the season with a clear direction: rebuild.

The front office let some veterans walk in free agency before refusing to sign any player of note in free agency. The fact they were rebuilding seemed clear to everybody, but the team has refused to give up. They've jumped out to a hot start this season and the front office has some tough decisions to make.

MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently gave the Cardinals the title of "Biggest ruination of front office plans" because of the team's ability to win while the front office is trying to rebuild.

"This was supposed to be Year 1 of a rebuild where the Cardinals unload anyone and everyone of value this summer," Nightengale wrote. "Well, a funny thing has happened along the way. Cardinals manager Oli Marmol and the players have refused to listen, and find themselves hanging with the Cubs in the NL Central with a 29-23 record.

"Until they start losing, the Cardinals will have a whole lot of ‘splainin’ to do if they dump All-Star closer Ryan Hesley, Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado, starters Erick Fedde and Miles Mikolas and company at the trade deadline."

The Cardinals will likely be stuck in the middle at the trade deadline this season.

They have enough talent to compete for a postseason berth, but it's unlikely they have the talent to win the National League or the World Series. They might not even have the talent to steal the NL Central from the Chicago Cubs.

The Cardinals could still look to trade expiring players like Ryan Helsley, Erick Fedde, and Miles Mikolas if there are buyers at the trade deadline. There's also a chance the Cardinals target controllable talent at the deadline.

More MLB: MLB Writer Lists Cardinals Star As Potential Trade Candidate

Published
Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

Home/St. Louis Cardinals News