The Cardinals are entering what could be a multi-year rebuilding period where they focus more on strengthening their farm system and player development apparatus than winning games at the major league level. That's a pivot that started last winter, but a number of key veteran players with no-trade clauses wanted to stick with the organization for the 2025 season and try to win in St. Louis.
That should help facilitate a return to catching in 2026, and Jones wrote for MLB.com yesterday that Herrera has spoken with manager Oli Marmol and incoming president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom to work out a plan for an offseason program designed to get him ready to return to catching next year. Jones adds that the club's plan for Herrera's offseason was created with the knowledge of the youngster's impending surgery and with plans on how to incorporate his rehab into his winter assignments.
The Cardinals are expected to designate utility man Garrett Hampson for assignment in a series of roster moves slated to become official tomorrow, according to a report from Katie Woo of The Athletic. Hampson's active roster spot will go to Alec Burleson, who is slated to be activated from the injured list tomorrow. Hampson's 40-man roster spot will go to left-hander Nick Raquet, who will have his contract selected to the major league roster tomorrow.
Speaking on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast last weekend, Manfred said: "If we expand, it provides us with an opportunity to geographically realign. I think we could save a lot of wear and tear on our players in terms of travel, and I think our postseason format would be even more appealing." Such a change would likely keep the American and National Leagues intact, but move from three five-team divisions to four four-team divisions in each league. It would require two expansion franchises and possibly shift some existing teams across different leagues.
"Clayton Kershaw makes his fifth start of the season and is still searching for his first decision. Last time out, Kershaw was given a four-run bottom of the first and the Dodgers tried their darndest to get him through five to qualify for a win."
