Cardinals Have One Big Decision to Make Before Opening Day

St. Louis must finalize its left field position ahead of the season opener.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:51am

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The St. Louis Cardinals have nearly finalized their roster for the upcoming season, with the starting rotation, bullpen, and most position players already set. However, the team still has one key decision to make regarding the left field spot, with several players competing for the role.

Why it matters

The Cardinals' left field position is an important piece of the puzzle as they look to build a competitive team for the 2026 season. With the trade of Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras, the team is lacking right-handed power, making the left field decision crucial.

The details

The four players vying for the left field job are Nelson Velázquez, Thomas Saggese, José Fermín, and Nathan Church. Of this group, Velázquez has arguably earned the role the most, posting a .357/.449/.667 slash line with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 15 spring training games. Church, Saggese, and Fermín have also put up solid numbers, but Velázquez's power and production have stood out the most.

  • The Cardinals have until March 26, 2026, to finalize their Opening Day roster.
  • Spring training is currently underway, with the team evaluating the left field candidates.

The players

Nelson Velázquez

A non-roster invitee who has been one of the hottest hitters in spring training, posting a 1.116 OPS with four home runs and 10 RBIs.

Thomas Saggese

A utility player who has impressed with a .316/.381/.526 slash line in seven spring training games, providing depth across the infield and outfield.

José Fermín

A player competing for the left field job, but has struggled at the plate in spring training with a .160/.218/.180 slash line.

Nathan Church

Another left field candidate who has put up solid numbers in spring training, slashing .289/.413/.447 with one home run in 16 games.

Michael McGreevy

One of the Cardinals' starting pitchers, who will be part of the team's rotation to begin the season.

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What’s next

The Cardinals have until March 26, 2026, to finalize their Opening Day roster, including the decision on who will start in left field.

The takeaway

The Cardinals' left field position is a key decision the team must make before the start of the 2026 season. With several players competing for the role, Nelson Velázquez has emerged as the frontrunner based on his impressive spring training performance, but the team will have to weigh all of the options before making a final decision.