Cardinals want to add Righty Outfield Bat

The Cardinals’ offseason is mostly focused on the players they trade away. Son Gray And Willson Contreras have already been shipped and it is possible that each of Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado And JoJo Romero will also be on their way. That doesn’t mean they won’t make short-term profits. They added Dustin May on a $12.5 million deal in the rotation, and president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom identified a profile they were pursuing on the position player side.

Bloom told reporters that the Cardinals would like to add an outfielder, ideally one who brings right-handed power (left via John Denton of MLB.com And Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch). That is an indirect consequence of the Contreras trade. Alec Burleson made just 38 starts at first base last season. That will likely increase in 2026, as Bloom suggested Burleson could replace Contreras as first baseman. Burleson made 72 starts in the corner outfield and 18 at design hitter.

St. Louis did that Lars Nootbaar And Jordan Walker as their projected corner tandem in the outfield. Nootbaar has two years of arbitration left and could be traded this offseason. Walker performed well below replacement level in 2025 and still has a minor league option remaining. A right hook bat could also spell lefty Burleson.

There aren’t many options left in free agency. The Cards could sign a one-year deal Miguel Andujar or Austin Haysall of whom end a big season with the peloton advantage. Old friend Tommy Pham is coming off a mediocre season against lefties, but has a .261/.368/.434 line in those situations over his career. Chas McCormick has not affected either in the past two years. He has a 20-home run season and a .273/.353/.489 hit on his resume in 2023.

The Cardinals could also look at a utility option such as Willie Castro or Luis Rengifo. They would have the added benefit of being able to fill in at second or third base if the Cardinals draft Donovan and/or Arenado trades. Nolan Gorman would line up at third base for most of the playing time if Arenado is moved. Top prospect JJ Wetherholt should be the everyday second baseman at some point, assuming they trade Donovan, but the 23-year-old seems likely to open the season in Triple-A.