The St. Louis Cardinals' recent slump has brought to light some of their most pressing areas of need. While their strong start to the season had fans optimistic about a playoff push, the team's performance in the NL Central games has been a stark reminder of their weaknesses. The Cardinals' roster has some clear areas for improvement, but the timeline for addressing these needs is less obvious.
One of the most intriguing positions is catcher. The Cardinals have a four-man rotation, with Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages sharing the load. Herrera's offensive prowess has been a bright spot, but Pages' contributions have been more modest. The team's overall performance at this position has been underwhelming, ranking in the bottom half of the league. However, the emergence of Jordan Walker in right field has been a pleasant surprise, and he is quickly becoming a fan favorite.
The Cardinals' 2026 season was intended to provide clarity on key positions, but the team's unexpected success has complicated matters. The organization has been criticized for its indecisiveness, and the recent hiring of Chaim Bloom as general manager has not yet yielded the desired results. The Cardinals' social media presence had predicted a rebuild, but the team has defied expectations, remaining in the postseason race.
To assess the team's needs, I analyzed FanGraphs leaderboards, focusing on fWAR and wRC+ since 2024. The results revealed some concerning trends. The Cardinals have struggled at third base, right field, center field, and left field, with their starters and bullpen also performing below average. However, the catching setup, often overlooked, has been a bright spot with Herrera's strong offense.
At third base, Nolan Arenado and Nolan Gorman have been average, and the team's decision to give Gorman a daily role has been questioned. The signing of Ramon Urias provided some insurance, but his injury has kept Gorman in the lineup. The team's defense has improved, but the bat has been inconsistent. The author suggests that the offseason could be the time to find a long-term replacement for Gorman, with Blaze Jordan as a potential option.
Center field has been a source of frustration, with Victor Scott II's struggles at the plate and poor plate appearances. The author expresses disappointment in Scott's performance, including his frequent bunt attempts and lack of power. The team's decision to cut into Nathan Church's playing time and his subsequent injury has further complicated matters. The author predicts that Joshua Baez will take over center field in the second half of the season.
Left field has seen some improvement with Lars Nootbaar's return, but the team still sits in the lower half of the league. The author suggests that Nootbaar's return could boost the lineup and potentially spark the offense. However, the team's outfield prospect pool is limited, and the author recommends waiting for the Trade Deadline or the draft to enhance this position group.
The Cardinals' unique position in the rebuild process adds an extra layer of complexity. The author acknowledges the team's unexpected success and the potential for a different approach before the season ends. The question of whether to target offense on the trade market or in the draft remains open, and the team's fans eagerly await the organization's next moves.
In conclusion, the Cardinals' recent slump has highlighted their areas of need, but the timeline for addressing these issues is uncertain. The team's unexpected success has brought a new level of excitement and complexity to the rebuild process, and the organization's decisions will shape the future of the franchise.
