Cardinals Face Roster Overhaul in Spring Training

Young roster and new leadership bring opportunities and questions for St. Louis in 2026 season

Feb. 21, 2026 at 2:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The St. Louis Cardinals are entering a new era with a remarkably young roster and the arrival of new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. As the team prepares for its first Grapefruit League game, there are several key questions they'll need to answer this spring, including who will emerge as the team's new star, how they'll sort out the catching situation, and which young players will seize opportunities to make the Opening Day roster.

Why it matters

The Cardinals have traditionally been built around star players, but with an aging roster and no clear future Hall of Famers, the team is in transition. How they navigate this spring training will set the tone for the rest of the 2026 season and beyond as they look to build a new core of young talent.

The details

The Cardinals' roster is remarkably young, with no projected starters older than 27 and only six players who have played more than 200 games for the team. This will lead to some growing pains, but also opportunities for prospects like JJ Wetherholt, Joshua Baez, and Jurrangelo Cijntje to make their mark. The team also has a logjam at catcher with five players on the 40-man roster, and questions about how to fill out the back end of the starting rotation behind Matthew Liberatore and Dustin May.

  • The Cardinals' first Grapefruit League game is on Saturday, February 25th against the Nationals in Jupiter, Florida.
  • The Cardinals' season opener is scheduled for March 26th at Busch Stadium.

The players

Chaim Bloom

The new president of baseball operations for the St. Louis Cardinals, brought in to help rebuild the team's roster and farm system.

JJ Wetherholt

The Cardinals' top prospect, ranked 5th by MLB Pipeline, who could emerge as the team's new star and potential leadoff hitter.

Lars Nootbaar

The Cardinals outfielder who became a cult hero playing for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but has struggled with injuries and inconsistency at the plate.

Joshua Baez

The Cardinals' No. 87 prospect who has made significant progress the last two years and could push for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Jurrangelo Cijntje

The Cardinals' No. 91 prospect, a switch-pitcher acquired from Seattle, who is competing for a spot in the starting rotation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“One of the things that we're all excited to see happen is what they make of it. This is their time. It is their chapter to write.”

— Chaim Bloom, President of Baseball Operations

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery Employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This spring training will be a pivotal moment for the Cardinals as they look to transition to a new era of young talent and build a roster that can compete for years to come. The opportunities are there, but the team will need to navigate some growing pains as well.