The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a new era as they kick off spring training, with a fresh set of challenges and questions to tackle. A team in transition, the Cardinals are bidding farewell to some familiar faces, leaving a void that needs to be filled.
As the first full-squad workout commences in Jupiter, Florida, the 2026 Cardinals are gearing up for a season of change. With key players like starting pitcher Sonny Gray, first baseman Willson Contreras, and utility star Brendan Donovan now donning different jerseys, the Cardinals must adapt and find new leaders to guide them forward.
Here are five burning questions on everyone's minds as the Cardinals navigate this transformative period:
- Who will anchor the starting rotation?
The departure of Gray, who was the team's ace for the past two seasons, leaves a significant gap to fill. Additionally, the Cardinals must replace the innings contributed by Miles Mikolas and Erick Fedde, who, despite their struggles, consistently took the mound every five days. Among the returning starters, Matthew Liberatore, a 26-year-old left-hander, seems poised to take the mound on Opening Day. With a respectable 4.21 ERA in 29 starts last season, Liberatore is a strong contender.
The Cardinals have also made a short-term investment in former Dodgers and Red Sox pitcher Dustin May, signing him to a one-year contract with an option for 2027. May, at his best with the Dodgers, showcased an impressive arsenal, but his health has been a concern. After missing the entire 2024 season, May struggled in both Los Angeles and Boston last year. Other returning pitchers like Andre Pallante, Michael McGreevy, and Kyle Leahy are also in the mix for rotation spots, with Leahy's impressive 3.07 ERA in 88 innings, primarily out of the bullpen, making him a strong candidate.
Additionally, Richard Fitts and Hunter Dobbins, acquired from the Red Sox, could be key additions to the starting rotation. Fitts posted a 5.00 ERA in 45 innings for Boston last season, while Dobbins, a 26-year-old, threw 61 innings with a 4.13 ERA. Despite a torn ACL last July, Dobbins is making good progress, according to team President Chaim Bloom.
- Who will be the team's closer?
The Cardinals dealt away closer Ryan Helsley to the Mets last season, and top setup reliever Phil Maton was traded to the Rangers before signing with the Cubs. JoJo Romero and Riley O'Brien stepped up as closers down the stretch last season, and they could continue in that role in 2026. The team also signed veteran reliever Ryne Stanek, but his struggles with the Mets last season and limited experience as a closer suggest he'll start in a setup role, with a chance to close games later in the season.
Right-hander Matt Svanson, an impressive rookie, posted a 1.94 ERA in 60 innings, mostly in lower-leverage situations. He's likely to be an option for the seventh or eighth inning to begin the season.
- Who will emerge as the team's leaders?
This Cardinals team is intentionally young, with management aiming to provide opportunities for younger players to develop at the Major League level. The oldest position player on the 40-man roster is minor league outfielder Bryan Torres, who is just 28. On the pitching side, Ryne Stanek, with nine years of experience and a World Series win with Houston in 2022, is a veteran presence. Dustin May also brings experience from successful Dodger teams, including a World Series win in 2020. Andre Pallante, Matthew Liberatore, and JoJo Romero are the remaining pitchers from the Cardinals' 2022 playoff team.
It will be up to veterans like outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who is recovering from heel surgery and expected to miss the first few weeks, to guide the younger players through the challenges of a 162-game season. Nootbaar and Nolan Gorman are the only remaining position players who made significant contributions to the 2022 team.
- What does success look like for this Cardinals team?
With several young players yet to break out, the Cardinals are unlikely to contend for a playoff spot this season. The team won just 78 games last season and traded away its most established players. However, manager Oli Marmol remains optimistic, stating that he expects the team to be competitive sooner rather than later.
"While we did trade away several players, there's a long-term vision here, but I don't see it taking too long," Marmol said. "I have faith in the guys in the clubhouse. I believe many of them are ready to take the next step in their careers."
Outfielder Jordan Walker, who burst onto the scene in 2023 as a powerful 21-year-old rookie, is one player expected to step up. Walker hit 16 home runs in 117 games that year, but his power has since diminished, with just 11 homers over the last two seasons combined. His defense in right field has improved, but he needs to find his hitting form to be a valuable asset at the big league level.
"This is a crucial season for Walker to showcase his abilities," Marmol said. "It's not just about results; it's about how he handles various situations and the quality of his at-bats. We want to see the fruits of his offseason work with hitting coach Brant Brown, focusing on posture and swing plane, translate into game performance."
Infielder Nolan Gorman, another young talent, showed promise with his bat in 2023, hitting 27 homers while playing second and third base. However, his offensive production has dipped in recent seasons. With Nolan Arenado's departure, Gorman is likely to get the first shot at filling his shoes at third base.
The Cardinals are also seeking an unproven pitcher to step up as a reliable starter. Kyle Leahy, who has pitched well out of the bullpen, or Michael McGreevy, who showed potential last season, could be options. Richard Fitts and Hunter Dobbins, part of the trade return from Boston, are also in the mix.
Ideally, veteran signings like Dustin May and Ryne Stanek would pitch well in the first half, allowing the Cardinals to trade them for prospects at the deadline. Success this season will be relative, but the Cardinals would be pleased if Walker and/or Gorman prove their worth as everyday players and if a young starter emerges as a viable mid-rotation option.
- Why should fans continue to support the team at the ballpark?
It's been a while since the Cardinals underwent a full rebuild, and the last time the team entered a season with such low expectations was likely in the mid-1990s. Fan attendance has reflected their dissatisfaction with the team's recent lack of competitiveness, dropping from an average of 40,994 during the 2022 playoff season to just 27,778 last season.
However, there are still reasons for fans to remain optimistic and engaged. J.J. Wetherholt, the Cardinals' first-round draft pick in 2024, has made rapid progress through the minor league system and is considered a consensus Top 10 prospect in all of Major League Baseball. Team President Chaim Bloom believes Wetherholt is close to Major League readiness, praising his maturity, purpose, and talent.
Wetherholt performed well at both the AA and AAA levels last season, and with Brendan Donovan's departure to Seattle, there's an opening for Wetherholt to be the Opening Day second baseman. St. Louis fans have always appreciated solid defense, and the Cardinals have Gold Glove winner Masyn Winn at shortstop and center fielder Victor Scott II providing quality defense up the middle. These defensive standouts should provide fans with exciting highlights throughout the season.
So, while the Cardinals navigate this period of transition, there are still plenty of reasons to be excited and engaged as a fan. With a mix of young talent, veteran leadership, and promising prospects on the horizon, the Cardinals are poised for an intriguing season ahead.
