The St. Louis Cardinals are navigating the early stretch of what’s shaping up to be a frustrating season, with few solutions in sight and fans becoming increasingly agitated with each loss. What was once framed as a rebuild, later softened to a “transition,” now feels more like stagnation—both at the major league and minor league levels.
The bullpen has been such a liability that manager Oli Marmol has openly suggested the front office hasn’t provided the tools necessary for a contending roster. Early optimism around new hitting coach Brant Brown faded quickly, as the offense that once showed promise has cooled off considerably.
The starting rotation features contact-heavy veterans, a reliever-turned-starter by necessity, and a once-promising prospect trying to salvage his value in the aftermath of a failed trade. Rather than a rising young arm, the rotation’s sixth spot is filled by a 33-year-old on a short-term deal.
Adding to the dysfunction is an offseason marred by poor handling of a future Hall of Fame third baseman and empty promises about playing time for certain players.
This combination defines the 2025 Cardinals—a team dominant at home but dreadful on the road, offering fans little hope. One silver lining for some supporters: this marks the final year of John Mozeliak’s tenure leading the team’s decision-making.
John Mozeliak could buy for a playoff run if the Cardinals are in contention
Wait, could the Cardinal be BUYERS at the deadline?@KatieJWoo: "If the Cardinals are in it come July, I can see John Mozeliak adding incrementally." pic.twitter.com/X65PjYC2fU
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 28, 2025
After this season, John Mozeliak is expected to pass leadership duties to Chaim Bloom, known for revitalizing the Red Sox and building a strong farm system. Given Mozeliak’s long track record of success in St. Louis, he likely doesn’t want his final stretch in charge to tarnish his legacy.
That’s why, if the team he assembled finds itself in the playoff hunt by the trade deadline, it wouldn’t be shocking if he made a bold move to boost their chances. Still, that scenario would be surprising considering the Cardinals brought back most of last season’s underperforming roster, despite offseason promises of change.
On a recent Foul Territory podcast, Cardinals beat reporter Katie Woo surprised fans when asked about the team’s trade deadline plans. While she acknowledged the club has several assets to potentially move, she noted that Mozeliak might actually be more inclined to buy than sell, depending on how the season plays out.
With a rough start to 2025 and the NL Central growing more competitive, a midseason turnaround seems unlikely. As of the end of April, the team is on pace for another sub-.500 season—fewer than 75 wins for the second time in three years—and could miss the playoffs for a third straight year. Even if they manage to stay in the race, the Cardinals lack the big-league-ready talent to make major additions without sacrificing top prospects, something they’re unlikely to do for a short playoff run.
Adding complexity to the situation is Bloom’s incoming role—he’ll likely be involved in any major decisions, including player extensions or trades. While Bloom might prefer to kick off a roster overhaul, Mozeliak could be eyeing one last chance at postseason glory. If the Cardinals choose to maintain the current roster without significant changes, their return to contention could be delayed even further.
Fan frustration is mounting, as reflected in declining attendance at Busch Stadium. A playoff push might draw fans back, but if the team misses the postseason again—especially after a controversial trade like dealing Tommy Edman for Erick Fedde—it could leave Bloom with a major mess to clean up.
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