Five bold predictions for the 2025 St. Louis Cardinals

JUPITER, Fla. – At long last, spring training is underway for the St. Louis Cardinals, a fresh reminder that a new baseball season is just around the corner.

Pitchers and catchers officially reported to the St. Louis Cardinals spring camp Tuesday in Jupiter, Florida. All position players are expected to report by Monday.

It’s a rather unusual time in St. Louis Cardinals history. The team is coming off back-to-back years without postseason baseball, and many veterans have departed as the team embraces the mindset of a cost-cutting, roster-reshaping, youth-driven reset.

As spring camp begins, it’s a good time to look ahead at what 2025 might have in store for the St. Louis Cardinals. Here are five bold predictions for the new season:

1) Nolan Arenado will spend at least half of this season with the Cardinals

Originally, this bold prediction was going to be that Arenado would be the Cardinals’ Opening Day third baseman, but given recent developments, that’s not so bold anymore. It’s likely expected now.

While lead executive John Mozeliak acknowledged last month that the Cardinals have explored trade proposals involving Arenado, it doesn’t appear a trade has ever come close to materializing, aside from a deal Arenado reportedly blocked to Houston in November. Arenado’s no-trade clause and limited list of preferred destinations if traded further complicate the matter.

One team long thought to be a suitor, the Boston Red Sox, pivoted to signing longtime Astros third baseman Alex Bregman on Wednesday, narrowing Arenado’s immediate market. Mozeliak has addressed media members twice this week over Arenado, making remarks such as “Our mindset is Nolan Arenado is our third baseman” and that the Cardinals have “exhausted” options within his preferred trade destinations.

For what it’s worth, early-offseason reports indicated that Arenado did not personally request a trade out of St. Louis this winter, suggesting he’s content in St. Louis until he feels there is a more desirable opportunity elsewhere.

Given all of this, Arenado is expected to report to Florida by Monday, but a trade could become more feasible midseason, depending on the Cardinals’ performance and the developing needs of contending teams. It could be beneficial for all parties involved to evaluate Arenado’s production and how the Cardinals adapt with him still in the lineup. Perhaps the trade speculation could even provide him with fresh motivation heading into the season.

Ultimately, considering all current dynamics, an Arenado deal around the trade deadline move seems more logical than a preseason or early-season move largely intended to slash payroll.

2) Oli Marmol will manage the Cardinals the entire season

Oli Marmol is preparing for his fourth season as Cardinals manager, and his tenure so far has been quite a mixed bag. A division title and 93-win team in 2022, a steep drop to under .500 and 71 wins in 2023, and a middle-of-the-pack season for much of 2024, though one where he earned a two-year extension.

Marmol’s new contract officially begins with the 2025 campaign, a season that will also mark a front-office transition. John Mozeliak intends to step down as President of Baseball Operations and hand the title to Chaim Bloom at the season’s end. Because of that, it wouldn’t make much sense for the Cardinals to make another big leadership change between now and this planned change of guard in the front office unless the team completely unravels.

Additionally, many key players, including Willson Contreras and Masyn Winn, spoke highly of their relationships with Marmol at Winter Warm-Up, emphasizing the importance clubhouse stability even if the team struggles to play above expectations. Marmol’s future with the Cardinals after the 2025 season? This year should be quite pivotal in shaping that.

3) The Cardinals will have multiple 30-home run hitters

Saying goodbye to veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, along with ongoing efforts to trade Nolan Arenado, reaffirms the Cardinals’ commitment to invest in younger talent at the MLB level. The last two seasons, St. Louis hasn’t had a 30-home run hitter. But with a greater emphasis on player development and more runway for younger hitters, that could change in 2025.

The best 30-home run candidates are likely Alec Burleson, Nolan Gorman, and Jordan Walker. All three have been working closely with new Cardinals hitting coach Brant Brown this offseason. Walker, in particular, has focused on refining his stance and hand placement to create a more balanced approach at the plate.

Gorman is just two seasons removed from a 27-homer campaign, showing flashes of elite power during hot streaks. Burleson, who came close to the benchmark .500 slugging percentage in college and the minors, has continued to improve with increased opportunities. And even Willson Contreras, who was on pace for a 30-homer season last year amid injury setbacks, could see a boost in offensive production with his planned move to first base.

Don’t expect the power production of Mark McGwire or Albert Pujols, but the young core of hitters could certainly take a step forward.