MLB · 1 day ago

5 Moves to Rebuild the Cardinals for 2026

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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5. Promote JJ Wetherholt to the Majors
JJ Wetherholt is ready for an opportunity at the big-league level, and 2026 could be his breakout season. The No. 9 prospect in baseball slashed .306/.421/.510 across Double-A and Triple-A, hitting 17 home runs, stealing 17 bases, and walking nearly as much as he struck out.

With the departures of Donovan and Arenado, Wetherholt could slide into second or third base, giving the Cardinals a talented young bat and immediate impact potential. While they shouldn’t rush him, Wetherholt’s combination of power, speed, and plate discipline makes him one of the organization’s most exciting near-MLB talents. Promoting him strengthens the roster while giving fans a glimpse of the Cardinals’ future core.

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1. Trade Brendan Donovan and Pedro Pagés to Seattle
- Mariners get: Brendan Donovan, Pedro Pagés
- Cardinals get: Jurrangelo Cjintje, Luke Stevenson, Nick Becker
The Cardinals could capitalize on Brendan Donovan’s consistent production by trading him alongside catcher Pedro Pagés to the Mariners. Donovan has batted at least .275 in each of his four MLB seasons while maintaining a low strikeout rate and providing above-average walk and isolated power metrics. He’s also defensively versatile, capable of playing second base, both corner outfield spots, and even shortstop.

In return, St. Louis would receive three of Seattle’s top prospects: switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cjintje, catcher Luke Stevenson, and shortstop Nick Becker. This trade allows the Cardinals to leverage Donovan’s peak value while adding high-upside talent to the system, aligning perfectly with Chaim Bloom’s rebuild strategy. Pagés’ departure also clears room for Iván Herrera to cement himself as the everyday catcher in 2026.

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2. Trade JoJo Romero to Arizona
- Diamondbacks get: JoJo Romero
- Cardinals get: LuJames Groover
JoJo Romero has been one of the Cardinals’ most reliable bullpen arms since joining in 2022, posting a 3.00 ERA and generating significant groundball results. However, with Romero set to hit free agency after next season, trading him to the Diamondbacks offers the Cardinals a chance to acquire talent while addressing their rebuild needs.

The proposed return is LuJames Groover, a back-of-the-top-ten Arizona prospect. While he isn’t projected as a future star, Groover provides a safe, bat-first profile that could develop into a utility piece for St. Louis. Trading Romero also helps the Cardinals manage innings distribution in a bullpen that lacks veteran depth beyond Packy Naughton. It’s a win-win that balances immediate pitching value with long-term prospect upside.
3. Trade Nolan Arenado to the Angels
- Angels get: Nolan Arenado, $10 million cash
- Cardinals get: Chris Cortez, Samy Natera Jr.
With the Cardinals entering a rebuild and several veteran trades already completed, Nolan Arenado becomes the next logical asset to move. Sending him to the Angels, along with $10 million in remaining salary, allows St. Louis to acquire two young pitching prospects: RHP Chris Cortez and LHP Samy Natera Jr.

Cortez, 23, is one of the Angels’ top arms and could make an impact out of the bullpen or as a starter. Natera is a late-blooming southpaw with a high-upside fastball-slider combination, currently working to refine his command. This trade clears significant payroll, provides high-upside pitching pieces for the future, and positions the Cardinals to continue their rebuild while maintaining some flexibility at third base.
4. Sign Tyler Kinley
- Kinley gets: A one-year, $5 million deal
- Cardinals get: Some badly-needed bullpen innings
Even in a rebuilding season, innings matter. Tyler Kinley’s one-year, $5 million deal addresses the Cardinals’ pressing bullpen shortage. Kinley has thrown 331.1 MLB innings over the last eight seasons, showing durability and consistency despite varying results in ERA and FIP.

At 35, Kinley brings experience and stability, especially valuable for a young pitching staff. His signing also mirrors the Dustin May approach: a veteran who can provide innings, maintain competitiveness, and potentially be flipped at the trade deadline for a prospect return. Kinley’s presence ensures that the Cardinals have dependable bullpen depth while continuing their focus on development and rebuilding.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
5. Promote JJ Wetherholt to the Majors
JJ Wetherholt is ready for an opportunity at the big-league level, and 2026 could be his breakout season. The No. 9 prospect in baseball slashed .306/.421/.510 across Double-A and Triple-A, hitting 17 home runs, stealing 17 bases, and walking nearly as much as he struck out.

With the departures of Donovan and Arenado, Wetherholt could slide into second or third base, giving the Cardinals a talented young bat and immediate impact potential. While they shouldn’t rush him, Wetherholt’s combination of power, speed, and plate discipline makes him one of the organization’s most exciting near-MLB talents. Promoting him strengthens the roster while giving fans a glimpse of the Cardinals’ future core.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1. Trade Brendan Donovan and Pedro Pagés to Seattle
- Mariners get: Brendan Donovan, Pedro Pagés
- Cardinals get: Jurrangelo Cjintje, Luke Stevenson, Nick Becker
The Cardinals could capitalize on Brendan Donovan’s consistent production by trading him alongside catcher Pedro Pagés to the Mariners. Donovan has batted at least .275 in each of his four MLB seasons while maintaining a low strikeout rate and providing above-average walk and isolated power metrics. He’s also defensively versatile, capable of playing second base, both corner outfield spots, and even shortstop.

In return, St. Louis would receive three of Seattle’s top prospects: switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cjintje, catcher Luke Stevenson, and shortstop Nick Becker. This trade allows the Cardinals to leverage Donovan’s peak value while adding high-upside talent to the system, aligning perfectly with Chaim Bloom’s rebuild strategy. Pagés’ departure also clears room for Iván Herrera to cement himself as the everyday catcher in 2026.

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5 Moves to Rebuild the Cardinals for 2026

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