The St. Louis Cardinals took care of an important piece of offseason business just before Thanksgiving when they dealt veteran right-hander Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox in a trade involving multiple players. While the full breakdown of that deal has already been covered elsewhere, its significance shouldn’t be overlooked. Shipping Gray out of St. Louis may end up being the first defining move under new head of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. However, it is almost certainly not going to be the last.
What it does signal is the start of what looks like an extended restructuring process for the Cardinals, one that could play out slowly over the course of the entire winter. Rather than making a few surface-level tweaks, Bloom appears ready to reshape the composition of the big-league roster in a meaningful way. That means more veterans could soon be on the move, and some familiar names might not be around when Opening Day 2026 arrives.
The question now becomes: which players are the most likely to be traded as the Cardinals reposition themselves? Below are five players who stand out as especially interesting trade candidates, along with some context surrounding their contracts, their on-field value, and the kinds of teams that could show interest. It’s worth reiterating that just because a player is mentioned here doesn’t guarantee they will be dealt. These are simply logical possibilities based on roster construction, performance trends, and market dynamics.
1. Brendan Donovan – Second base / Left field
Contract status: Under team control through the 2027 season
Possible landing spots: Yankees, Guardians, Astros, and numerous other contenders
If there is an obvious trade chip on this Cardinals roster, it may very well be Brendan Donovan. From a value perspective, Donovan is exactly the type of player that competitive teams crave. He is productive at the plate, versatile in the field, and still reasonably inexpensive due to his remaining years of team control. By the time his current team control expires, he will be beyond his 31st birthday, which may make St. Louis less interested in holding onto him than a win-now club would be.
Donovan has built a reputation as a consistent offensive contributor. His batting average and on-base skills have remained steady, and he regularly posts an OPS+ that sits somewhere in the 110 to 120 range. That doesn’t make him an MVP candidate, but it does make him a reliable top-of-the-order or table-setting type of hitter who can help stabilize a lineup.
What really boosts his market value, though, is his defensive flexibility. Donovan is comfortable playing multiple positions, sliding between the infield and outfield depending on the team’s needs. That kind of versatility allows a manager to mix and match lineups without sacrificing production, and it also helps with managing injuries throughout the season.
Because he checks so many boxes — consistent hitter, disciplined approach, positional flexibility, affordable contract — Donovan is a fit for nearly any contender looking to improve depth and balance. That combination should ensure that the Cardinals, if they decide to shop him, could land a meaningful return.
2. Nolan Arenado – Third base
Contract status: Two years remaining, $42 million still owed
Possible landing spots: Phillies, Tigers, Red Sox
Arenado’s name has been circulating in trade rumors for what feels like over a year at this point. Once viewed as one of the best all-around third basemen in baseball, his status has shifted as time has passed.
While he remains a very strong defensive presence at the hot corner, his offensive production has declined noticeably, and there is little evidence to suggest that he will return to being a clearly above-average hitter going forward.
Still, there are teams that will see value in his glove and postseason experience, even if the bat is no longer what it used to be. But moving Arenado will not be simple. The remaining money on his contract is substantial, and any team looking to trade for him will expect the Cardinals to absorb part of that cost.
The Gray trade already demonstrated that St. Louis is willing to take on significant financial responsibility in order to move a veteran. A similar approach would almost certainly be required if Arenado is dealt as well.
For some organizations — particularly those with a short-term competitive window or a need for stability at third base — Arenado could still be an attractive option, especially if St. Louis covers part of the salary. However, the overall impression is that the Cardinals would need to be aggressive in facilitating a deal, because his current production level doesn’t justify the remaining cost on its own.
In other words, Arenado can still bring value to the right team, but the Cardinals would probably need to include money to make it worthwhile for a trade partner.
3. Willson Contreras – First base
Contract status: Two years left at $36.5 million, with either a $17.5 million option or a $5 million buyout for 2028
Possible landing spots: Reds, Yankees, Padres
Contreras’ first season as a full-time non-catcher actually went rather well with the bat. Offensively, he continued to perform at a level that was clearly above league average, marking the fourth straight season in which he posted an OPS+ north of 120. In that sense, he proved that he can still be a dangerous hitter in the middle of a lineup.
However, the caveat is his profile. He is a right-handed-hitting first baseman entering his mid-30s, and modern front offices tend to be skeptical of committing resources to that type of player. First base is generally seen as a position that is easier to fill, especially with younger or cheaper power hitters. That reality complicates Contreras’ trade value.
On the positive side, his deal is not excessively long. With only two guaranteed years remaining (plus the 2028 decision), a team wouldn’t be tying itself down forever. On the negative side, his salary is still fairly high for a player who doesn’t provide defensive versatility or speed.
If the Cardinals want to move Contreras, the success of that effort could depend on two factors. First, how much of his contract they are willing to cover. Second, what happens with other big-name first basemen on the market — for example, if a team misses out on a player like Pete Alonso, it might then view Contreras as a fallback option. In that scenario, St. Louis could find a willing trade partner.
4. Nolan Gorman – Second base / Third base
Contract status: Under team control through 2028
Possible landing spots: Pirates, Royals, Rays
At some point, every organization has to decide when to move on from underperforming prospects and young hitters before their value drops to zero. For St. Louis, Nolan Gorman may be approaching that crossroads. He was once viewed as an important cornerstone piece for the future, but he has now put together two difficult seasons in a row.
A major part of Gorman’s struggles comes from his extreme swing-and-miss tendencies. Strikeouts have been a constant issue, and his lack of consistent contact has prevented him from finding any real rhythm. At the same time, he doesn’t really have a true defensive home.
He isn’t elite at second base, and he’s not a natural long-term fit at third either. That kind of positional uncertainty makes it even harder to justify keeping him around as his arbitration years approach.
Gorman has already reached the point in his career where he is arbitration-eligible, which means he is going to start getting more expensive. If his production doesn’t improve, the Cardinals could even find themselves considering whether to non-tender him in the not-too-distant future.
That reality makes him a logical trade candidate now, before his value drops further.
The Cardinals likely won’t want to “sell low,” but sometimes the smarter move is getting something in return while you still can. For a smaller-market or rebuilding club willing to gamble on upside, Gorman could be viewed as a worthwhile project. That might give St. Louis the opportunity to flip him while there’s still some belief in his potential.
5. JoJo Romero – Left-handed reliever
Contract status: Under team control through 2026
Possible landing spots: Yankees, Dodgers, Tigers
In a different era of baseball, JoJo Romero might have been used almost nonstop as a left-handed specialist, especially under a manager like Tony La Russa. But modern bullpen usage has changed quite a bit. Instead of being a one-batter guy, Romero has developed into a more complete reliever with a versatile arsenal that includes a sinker, slider, and changeup.
Over the past three seasons, Romero has quietly put together a very strong body of work. He has posted a sub-3.00 ERA, along with a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio. Interestingly, his success hasn’t been driven by overpowering hitters. Instead, he has consistently limited hard contact. His numbers in areas like average exit velocity and ground-ball rate place him in the top tier of pitchers around the league. He is more of a “barrel avoider” than a strikeout artist.
Romero also shows a noticeable platoon split. Left-handed hitters have an extremely tough time against him, while right-handers have had more success. Even so, his overall effectiveness makes him an appealing piece for any team that values bullpen depth and situational left-handed pitching.
He would be especially attractive to a club with a strong infield defense, because of his ability to induce ground balls. On a team that can consistently turn those grounders into outs, Romero could be a very efficient and reliable option late in games.
Given the ongoing demand for quality bullpen arms, Romero might be one of the easier Cardinals to move — and also one who could fetch a nice return.
In summary, the Sonny Gray trade may have been the first domino to fall in a much larger plan for the St. Louis Cardinals. Under new leadership, the organization appears ready to make tough choices, even if that means parting ways with familiar veterans or former top prospects. Whether through shedding salary, acquiring young talent, or simply reshaping the roster’s identity, multiple moves could still be on the horizon.
From versatile everyday players like Brendan Donovan to struggling former prospects like Nolan Gorman, and from established veterans like Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras to valuable bullpen pieces like JoJo Romero, there is no shortage of potential trade candidates in St. Louis. As the offseason unfolds, it’s likely that some combination of these names will be wearing different uniforms by the time the 2026 season begins.
MORE MLB NEWS:
-
Red Sox to Land Phillies All-Star Catcher Despite Recent Connor Wong Deal
-
Understand Cardinals’ $4.4M Left-Handed Reliever Officially Generating Trade Interest
-
Cardinals to trade top baseman after Sonny Gray deal with Red Sox
-
Breaking: Mets lock down second base, end up keeping super-utility man
-
Breaking: Giants land 3.36 ERA Ace who mastered the sinker to pair with Logan Webb
-
Red Sox To Build Dream Lineup With Phillies Superstar After Sonny Gray’s Success
Be the first to comment