51黑料

Led by infielder JJ Wetherholt鈥檚 No. 25 ranking, the Cardinals had three prospects included on Baseball America鈥檚 Top 100 prospect rankings for 2025.

Joining Wetherholt on the Top 100 ranking, which was released Wednesday, are left-hander Quinn Mathews (No. 41) and right-hander Tink Hence (No. 68).

As the highest rated Cardinals prospect entering the 2025 season, Wetherholt possesses a 65-grade hit tool on BA鈥檚 scale of 80. Wetherholt, 22, put that on display during his introduction to minor league baseball following last summer鈥檚 draft.聽

The former seventh overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft batted .295 with a .405 on-base percentage and a .400 slugging percentage in 29 games for Class Low-A Palm Beach. Of Wetherholt鈥檚 31 hits, five went for double and two were home runs. In games where Statcast data was tracked and made public, Wetherholt produced a 54.9% hard hit rate. Of the 91 balls he put in play, 50 were considered hard hit meaning they reached exit velocities of 95 mph or higher. Thirty of those 50 had exit velocities above 100 mph, per Statcast.

The 22-year-old played 24 games at shortstop, where he is slated to get an opportunity to play while in the minors, and was a designated hitter for five games. Wetherholt, along with Mathews, will be a non-roster invitee to begin big league camp this spring training.

Mathews lands at No. 41 on BA鈥檚 ranking following a breakout season that earned him recognition Cardinals minor league pitcher of the year and recognition as BA's minor league pitcher of the year.

With some added velocity, the 24-year-old left totaled a minor league-leading 202 strikeouts across 26 starts at four levels of professional baseball. Mathews, a fourth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, maintained a 2.76 ERA, tossed 143 1/3 innings, and held an 8-5 record after not appearing in a minor league during the 2023 season. Among minor league pitchers who threw a minimum 130 innings in 2024, Mathews led in strikeout rate (35.4%) and he was fourth in walks and hits per inning pitched (0.98).聽

Mathews鈥� quick rise up the minors resulted with him ending 2024 in Class AAA after beginning the year in Class Low-A. The 6-foot-5 lefty allowed 12 earned run and struck out 22 batters across four Class AAA starts with Memphis.

This the third consecutive year that Hence has been ranked as a Top 100 prospect by BA. Hence, 22, ranked as the No. 30 prospect in 2024 and reached as a high as No. 26 in 2023.聽

In 2024, Hence went 4-3 with a 2.71 ERA and struck out 109 batters while walking 26 in 79 2/3 innings for Class AA Springfield. Injuries with his back and lat limited the second half of Hence鈥檚 season. He totaled three innings between two starts across June before missing nearly a month. After returning on July 27, Hence rebuilt his workload across seven starts, but left a Sept. 11 start 鈥� his final outing of 2024 鈥� after 1 1/3 innings.

Hence was added to the Cardinals鈥� 40-man roster in November, a move which protected the 22-year-old from the Rule 5 Draft in December and puts him a step closer to reaching the major leagues.

Hence said on Saturday during Day 1 of the Cardinals' Winter Warm-up at Busch Stadium that he will be a full-go for the start of spring training.

One of the greatest baseball players of his generation, one of the greatest hitters of all time and one of the modern trailblazers for a global game, Ichiro Suzuki earned induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame with a chorus of acclimation from voters.

Just one was out of tune.

Of the 394 ballots submitted by eligible voters, Suzuki鈥檚 name was checked on 393 of them. He, like New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, came one vote shy of unanimous selection. That leaves Yankees closer Mariano Rivera as the only player ever unanimously elected to Cooperstown, and it sets the stage for 2028, when Cardinals great Albert Pujols will be the game鈥檚 next best chance for the first unanimously elected position player.

Pujols is one of four players with 700 career home runs, and only he and Hank Aaron also have 3,000 hits. Pujols became the first player born in Latin America to reach 700 homers when he did so in September 2022 with the Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Pujols is second behind Aaron and ahead of Babe Ruth in total bases and RBIs. And on and on and on. His plaque at the Hall of Fame will be small font and overstuffed with achievements, and if any position player is going to unify a group of nearly 400 voters it sure seems like ...

Well, it would have been Suzuki first.

Suzuki reaches Cooperstown with 3,089 hits in Major League Baseball and 4,367 hits in his professional career. He was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award and two-time batting champ. He won his first Gold Glove in right field as a rookie, and only current Cardinal Nolan Arenado at third base matches the feat of winning a decade of Gold Gloves to start a big league career. Suzuki broke George Sisler鈥檚 single-season hit record of 257 and reset it at 262.

In 2009, during the All-Star Game festivities in 51黑料, Suzuki went with his wife to Des Peres Presbyterian Church Cemetery to pay respects to Sisler at his grave site.

Suzuki placed flowers there.

He wanted to pay respect, he said later, to 鈥渁 grand upperclassman of the baseball world.鈥�

No active player visited Cooperstown, New York, as often as Suzuki did.

He went eight times.

All those numbers and it鈥檚 unfathomable he couldn鈥檛 get that one last vote.

Compared with the old days of resistance toward first-ballot Hall of Famers, the voting body has, in the past decade, inched closer and closer toward the unanimous selection of a position player.

The trend relates both to the modern approach of voters as well as the Hall of Fame鈥檚 reduction of the voting pool. When Ken Griffey Jr. pushed the percentage up toward unanimous in 2016, he appeared on 437 of 440 ballots. There were 545 voters for 2007 when Cal Ripken Jr. reset the percentage expected for position players. This year, there were fewer than 400 voters.

It required 296 votes this season to reach the 75% threshold for induction.

Former Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran came 19 votes shy of induction, which puts him on deck to be a part of the 2026 class in Cooperstown.

Members of the Baseball Writers鈥� Association of America who 鈥渕aintain鈥� 10 consecutive years on the baseball beat and remain in good standing with the organization are eligible to vote. , often discussing it on a podcast or in a chat with readers and explaining (defending?) it on social media. Transparency is an important part of the process. Being able to defend my vote, I feel, helps make me a stronger voter year over year.

More than .

More will .

The lack of a unanimous selection for a position player goes back to the beginning of the Hall and the very first class, and it鈥檚 a riddle that persists as the Hall鈥檚 100th anniversary approaches.

Here are the top 10 percentages since the first vote:

• Rivera, 2019: 100%
• Suzuki, 2025: 99.7%
• Jeter, 2020: 99.7%
• Ken Griffey Jr., 2016: 99.3%
• Seaver, 1992: 98.8%
• Nolan Ryan, 1999: 98.8%
• Ripken Jr., 2007: 98.5%
• Ty Cobb, 1936: 98.2%
• George Brett, 1999: 98.2%
• Aaron, 1982: 97.8%

Notable Cardinals Stan Musial and Ozzie Smith received 93.2% and 91.7% in the years they were elected. The late Rickey Henderson received 93.6%. Future baseball author Christy Mathewson received 90.7%.

Ruth does not crack the top 10, hard as that is to believe.

He received 95.1%.

That helps illustrate the modern trend closer and closer to unanimity. Third baseman Adrian Beltre received 95.1% of the vote a year ago for his induction with the 2024 class, and longtime Braves third baseman Chipper Jones received 97.2% of the vote for his induction. Until Ripken in 2007, no position player had received more than Cobb鈥檚 98% in 70 years, but in the past 10 years, there have been three.

A look at the upcoming classes suggests Pujols has the best chance to be fourth.

The class of players eligible for the first time in 2026 is led by former MVP Ryan Braun, who served a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in 2013, and lefty starter Cole Hamels, along with Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello and outfielders Nick Markakis, Hunter Pence, Shin-Soo Choo and Alex Gordon. In 2027, San Francisco Giants executive and former MVP Buster Posey reaches the ballot with a championship pedigree. He likely will be joined on the ballot for the first time by several players with Cardinals ties including Dexter Fowler, 200-game winner Jon Lester and Andrew Miller. Players are eligible for the ballot five years after their final game.

That puts Pujols and Yadier Molina on the ballot in December 2027 for election into the 2028 class. That group will be inducted on Aug. 6, 2028, to accommodate for the summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Plan accordingly.

The vote for Posey will be a glimpse into what Molina can expect on his first ballot, just as the support Lester receives will shape the conversation for 200-game winner Adam Wainwright and 225-game winner Zack Greinke when they hit the ballot for 2029 along with Triple Crown winner and MVP Miguel Cabrera.

Pujols is best positioned to push toward a unanimous vote, though history 鈥� recent with Suzuki and past with ... everybody 鈥� shows how significant that would be.

An exclusive member like Pujols of both the 600-homer and 3,000-hit clubs, Willie Mays received 94.7% of the vote. Barry Bonds, due to his ties with PED use, topped out at 66.0% before his 10 years on the ballot were exhausted and he moved into the veterans committee process.

Pujols is one of 12 players with at least three MVPs.

Two, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, are still active.

Seven of the other nine have been elected, though some were not on their first ballot:

• Mike Schmidt:96.5%
• Mickey Mantle: 88.2%
• Yogi Berra: 85.6% (2nd ballot!)
• Roy Campanella: 79.4% (7th ballot!?)
• Musial: 93.2%
• Joe DiMaggio: 88.8% (4th ballot!?)
• Jimmie Foxx: 79.2%

Alex Rodriguez remains on the ballot, but due in part to the suspension he served for PED use, the support for him has peaked at 35.7% last year and sat at 34.8% this year, his third year on the ballot. Bonds won seven MVPs and has yet to be elected.

In July, Cooperstown expects one of its largest crowds ever as Suzuki joins CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, Dick Allen and Dave Parker for the Class of 2025. Sabathia, one of the game鈥檚 top left-handed starters, earned induction with 86.8% on his first ballot, and Wagner, one of the game鈥檚 top left-handed relievers, received 82.5%. This was his 10th and final year on the ballot. The two lefties 鈥� who pitched at opposite ends of the game and reached Cooperstown at opposites ends of their time on the ballot 鈥� offer a welcome reminder of what the percentage of vote really means.

A higher percentage doesn鈥檛 mean Suzuki gets longer to speak or more tickets to give to friends and family. He doesn鈥檛 get a nicer room at the Otesaga or a better tee time for the annual golf outing. His autograph will add 鈥淗OF鈥� and maybe the year, not percentage of vote.

The pursuit of a unanimous position players continues, but it is also largely academic, only coming up in ruminating articles like this, 鈥済otcha鈥� tweets, hot takes, and bar stool debates. Yes, a player should be unanimous by now. But there is no reference to the percentage of the vote on the plaque that hangs in Cooperstown, not even on Rivera鈥檚. When Suzuki鈥檚 goes up alongside Ruth, Mantle, Musial, Aaron, Mays, Jackie Robinson, Eddie Murray, Larry Walker, Scott Rolen, Griffey, Fred McGriff, Ted Simmons and the Wizard and eventually is joined on the wall by Pujols鈥� plaque, they all say the same.

This player is 100% Hall of Famer.

51黑料 Cardinals

For first Pujols vs. Molina managerial matchup, this Cardinals prospect had an inside look

• Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

New year: Do Cardinals need a new message as they face a Hall of Fame-level question?

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Unanimous NL MVP selection caps historic first season with LA Dodgers for Shohei Ohtani

• Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch

The Cardinals wrapped up their annual Winter Warm-Up event Monday with appearances from team leadership, including club CEO Bill DeWitt Jr., his son and team President Bill DeWitt III and manager Oliver Marmol.

DeWitt Jr. was asked directly about the team's payroll situation, both now and in the future. In the short term, he said the team is still looking to trade All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado but that there will not be cuts elsewhere to free up money should that not happen. DeWitt III noted that he thought the team is "in a good spot" to begin this "reset," as the team has called it, and that spending could be reasserted once player development lays a foundation for future success.

51黑料 Cardinals

What you missed from Day 1 at the Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

51黑料 Cardinals

What you missed from Day 2 at the Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Marmol, meanwhile, sang the praises of early development success from last season. His youthful energy and zeal for the game makes him the right manager to lead this team through this period, columnist Benjamin Hochman wrote.

On the player front, some of the team's elder statesmen addressed their futures, with newly minted first baseman Willson Contreras detailing his growing leadership role within the franchise after he declined to request a trade this offseason. That's a role columnist Lynn Worthy thinks might fit Contreras like a glove.

Outfielder Lars Nootbar, on the other hand, now finds himself quickly transitioning From the kind of young star the Cardinals are trying to develop now to the kind of veteran they'll need to mentor that young talent. For him and others in a similar position, "there's no hiding anymore," he said, as the team has opened everyday opportunities to see exactly what they've got in several of these younger veterans.

Up next for the Cardinals is spring training, with pitchers and catchers reporting to the team's complex in Jupiter, Florida, on Feb. 12. Full-squad workouts begin the following Monday, Feb. 17.

51黑料 Cardinals

Worthy: Willson Contreras looks a lot like the leader the Cardinals could use right now

• Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch

Benjamin-hochman

Hochman: Some Cardinals fans want to #FireOli. I think Oliver Marmol is right man for job.

• Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Cardinals owners say 鈥榬eset鈥� now builds foundation to reassert spending, contending in future

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

'There鈥檚 no hiding anymore': Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar looks to bring broader presence in 2025

• Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Cardinals don't need to cut costs elsewhere if unable to trade Nolan Arenado, says ownership

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

Marmol, DeWitt speak at 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Bill DeWitt Jr. says Cardinals season will be different with 'a good young core of players'

Bill DeWitt III says in Cardinals' 'downturn' they are taking 'advantage of the younger player pipeline'

Bill DeWitt III says Cardinals are hoping to 'lay a foundation for a sustained period of success'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol says young core is 'hungry to do well'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol on Willson Contreras: 'He is passionate about being a very good first baseman'

Oliver Marmol on why he wanted to coach the Cardinals: 'This city really cares about their baseball'

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Benjamin-hochman

Hochman: Quinn Mathews wanted to be an investment banker. Instead, he鈥檚 Cardinals鈥� top SP prospect.

• Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Can swing change help 鈥榮uper-excited鈥� Jordan Walker meet Cardinals鈥� lofty expectations?

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

How Cardinals' Masyn Winn looks to accelerate the quick impact he's made in the majors

• Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

40 early birds set to get a jump on spring with Cardinals' new player development program

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

Photos and videos: Sights and sounds from Day 2 of Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

51黑料 Cardinals

As John Mozeliak鈥檚 final offseason ends, why Cardinals are stuck near the start of 鈥榬eset鈥�

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Ryan Helsley felt relief to not be traded after start to cloudy winter: Cardinals Extra

• Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch

Lynn Worthy

Worthy: Cardinals fans should appreciate Sonny Gray's stubbornness about the club's outlook

• Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch

Benjamin-hochman

Hochman: Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up is chilly with Nolan Arenado trade looming

• Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Trading Nolan Arenado remains 鈥榩riority 1, 2, and 3鈥� of Cardinals鈥� winter, says John Mozeliak

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

Photos and videos: Cardinals Winter Warm-Up sights and sounds on first day

John Mozeliak speaks at Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

John Mozeliak speaks at Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

John Mozeliak speaks at Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

John Mozeliak speaks at Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

John Mozeliak speaks at Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

'I'm hopeful' Cardinals will be able to trade Nolan Arenado, John Mozeliak says

Trading Nolan Arenado would allow Cardinals to add elsewhere, John Mozeliak says

John Mozeliak: Cardinals' push to move Nolan Arenado slowing offseason progress

'I'll take whatever's thrown at me': Cardinals pitcher Chris Roycroft on offseason improvements

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Cardinals players sign autographs at Winter Warm-Up

Studying, writing key to Victor Scott II's offseason for Cardinals

'Payroll does matter' to winning, Cardinals' John Mozeliak says

Cardinals prospect Sem Robberse on refining his pitch arsenal

'It's their team': Sonny Gray on his role as mentor in Cardinals' youth movement

Sonny Gray talks about why he wanted to remain with the Cardinals

'He's a Cardinal through and through': Victor Scott II on top pick JJ Wetherholt

'Nice just to be here again,' new Cardinals coach Jon Jay says

Cardinals prospect Tink Hence healthy after 'pretty good year' in 2024 despite injuries

Ryan Helsley 'really excited' to stay after thinking his time with Cardinals was ending

'Your employer's telling you you stink': Cardinals' Ryan Helsley on arbitration process

Brendan Donovan: Cardinals have chance 'to shock a lot of people'

Cardinals' Thomas Saggese learned last year that he can perform in the big leagues

Cardinals pitcher Erick Fedde details how he's working on his changeup movement

John Mozeliak: 'The sky's the limit' for Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews

Cardinals 'knew that wasn't going to happen,' didn't pursue Roki Sasaki, GM John Mozeliak says

Daniel Descalso: Cardinals players should expect to compete for the playoffs in 2025

All due respect to Brendan Donovan鈥檚 emerging role as a leader among the Cardinals, but if Donovan is the club鈥檚 head, then is the club鈥檚 heart.

There鈥檚 certainly an admirable quality to Donovan鈥檚 even-keeled nature and fundamental play.

However, Contreras brings a raw overwhelming emotion to the ballpark that鈥檚 also vital. Tapping into his spirit and that spark and spreading that throughout the clubhouse could prove combustible, but the benefits could also be transformative for this team鈥檚 young core.

鈥淗e plays like he鈥檚 24,鈥� rising star shortstop Masyn Winn said of Contreras this weekend during the Cardinals鈥� annual Winter Warm-Up event at Busch Stadium. 鈥淗e plays like he鈥檚 still fighting for a spot. He plays angry. I think the clubhouse feeds off of that.鈥�

They could do a lot worse than feeding off Contreras.

Sure, he has left some water coolers and bat racks in dire condition after bad performances. That, coupled with the fact that his default disposition is utter disdain for opponents, is enough to make you think there鈥檚 a volatile streak in him that should be approached cautiously.

The flip side of that anger and fire he displays on the field is the love he has for his teammates 鈥� and they for him.

Love was a phrase used both by Contreras and his teammates as they tried to explain what kept him from walking away from 51黑料 this winter.

A 32-year-old veteran with three All-Star selections, a World Series ring (2016) and three years remaining on a five-year contract that includes a no-trade clause, Contreras held plenty of leverage to force his way out of town as the Cardinals enters a 鈥渞eset.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 not going nowhere because it鈥檚 too easy for me to request a trade and be a coward and leave everything behind,鈥� Contreras said on Monday. 鈥淚 like challenges, and I love the team. I love the guys.鈥�

Contreras, speaking publicly for the first time since the club announced its youth movement following the 2024 season, said he鈥檚 committed to leaving the Cardinals better off than the way he found the franchise.

He has embraced the club鈥檚 plan to move him from catcher to first base.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 just because I love challenges,鈥� Contreras said of wanting to stay in 51黑料. 鈥淲hen I signed here, we were supposed to win. Now, a lot of people are doubting us as a team and doubting the Cardinals. That鈥檚 one thing that I hate for sure. But I also love the fire the fans are bringing because they鈥檙e paying to see us win.

鈥淢y main reason was because I know this team is going to be able to turn it around and go deep into October. Second of all, it鈥檚 just the fans and my teammates. I cannot be somewhere else.鈥�

Outfielder Lars Nootbaar recalled a sit-down late in the season when Contreras traveled with the team on the road despite being injured (Contreras endured two stints on the injured list for broken bones in 2024).

With the winds of change swirling around the organization late in the season, Nootbaar asked where Contreras鈥� head was at and what he was thinking.

鈥淗e was like, 鈥楤ro, I want to be here. I want to help out where I can. I want to lead these guys,鈥欌�� Nootbaar said. 鈥淔rom that point on, I was like, 鈥楢ll right, cool.鈥欌��

Fueled by a second consecutive season missing the playoffs, Contreras publicly questioned the club鈥檚 decision-makers following the final home game of 2024.

鈥淚f I was them, if I was the front office, I鈥檇 be hungry to own this division,鈥� Contreras said in response to a question by the Post-Dispatch in September. 鈥淏ut we haven鈥檛 owned this division in the last two years.鈥�

Contreras acknowledged that he worried that calling out the front office might have made the Cardinals want to get rid of him this offseason.

A phone call from manager Oliver Marmol squashed those concerns. Contreras said Marmol told him the Cardinals they wanted him to stay.

Contreras has already started the transition to first base with the help of coaches Stubby Clapp and Jose Oquendo in Jupiter, Florida.

鈥淗is exact words to me were, 鈥楾his is how much I care about this team,鈥欌�� Marmol said of Contreras. 鈥淗e鈥檚 willing to do just about anything you ask him to do. He wants to be here. He wants to be a part of what we鈥檙e doing. And if that means splitting time at first and DH-ing, he is willing to do what is needed in order to help this team get to where we want to get to.鈥�

Last season, Contreras batted .262 with a .380 on-base percentage and a .468 slugging percentage. He also hit 15 home runs despite playing in just 84 games.

Injuries, several related to catching, have limited Contreras鈥� impact on the lineup in his two seasons with the Cardinals. This position change could be the remedy.

鈥淲e need that guy in the lineup every day,鈥� first baseman/designated hitter Alec Burleson said. 鈥淵ou look at what he did in short little bursts last year, it鈥檚 pretty impressive. When he鈥檚 in the lineup, we kind of go with that guy.鈥�

A funny thing about Contreras getting out from behind the plate is that it probably sets him up even better to serve as a leader for this club full of youthful position players.

Catching duties placed significant demands on his time on a daily basis. The lion鈥檚 share of his focus was spent interacting with the pitching staff.

On Monday, Contreras alluded to spending more time talking with position players and reinforcing the right mindset among players this coming season.

He鈥檚 not planning to be a complete bystander when it comes to goings on with the pitchers and catchers.

鈥淚鈥檒l probably speak my mind when I see something good or if I see something bad,鈥� Contreras said. 鈥淭his team doesn鈥檛 have any egos, and they鈥檙e willing to listen whenever we say something.鈥�

Contreras still has a lot to say about the path of the Cardinals.

51黑料 Cardinals

Zack Thompson reconnects with an old coach in effort to get back on track: Recap from Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

• Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch ,  Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch ,  Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Victor Scott II looks to be spring resource for JJ Wetherholt: Recap from Cardinals Warm-Up

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch ,  Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch ,  Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch

Lynn Worthy

Worthy: Cardinals fans should appreciate Sonny Gray's stubbornness about the club's outlook

• Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch

Marmol, DeWitt speak at 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Bill DeWitt Jr. says Cardinals season will be different with 'a good young core of players'

Bill DeWitt III says in Cardinals' 'downturn' they are taking 'advantage of the younger player pipeline'

Bill DeWitt III says Cardinals are hoping to 'lay a foundation for a sustained period of success'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol says young core is 'hungry to do well'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol on Willson Contreras: 'He is passionate about being a very good first baseman'

Oliver Marmol on why he wanted to coach the Cardinals: 'This city really cares about their baseball'

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Baseball doesn鈥檛 call it a coach.

And the job title 鈥渕anager鈥� does have a more overseer connotation 鈥� be it a boss, a general, a tactician.

That said, the best managers in baseball can simultaneously manage a game and coach players. Now, the verb coaching, especially in modern sports, doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean motivational tactics and rah-rah speeches, as seen in our favorite sports movies. Being a coach (or manager) is a multifaceted and fascinating endeavor, based on an understanding of people, cultures, technology, history, media, social media and teaching skills, in order to bring the best out of everyone on the team.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol is a coach. And he鈥檚 the right guy in the role.

Even though 51黑料 missed the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, as I wrote last September: 鈥淎lthough I鈥檓 likely in the minority around town, I think Marmol is the man for the job. I鈥檝e spent my career so far around managers and head coaches in every major sport. Marmol impresses me with his fascinating thinking about baseball and life. He鈥檚 relatable to the players and speaks with command but, when necessary, compassion. And hey, he won a division title in 2022.鈥�

Marmol is still the manager, much to the displeasure of people who used the hashtag #FireOli on social media. And with the calendar turn to 2025 鈥� and Marmol making a Monday appearance at Winter Warm-Up 鈥� I felt it was a proper time to assess what makes Marmol the right manager, not only for the 鈥渞eset鈥� this season but also the potential return, in future years, to the postseason.

鈥淗e鈥檚 not afraid to tell you what you don鈥檛 want to hear, but at the same time, he gives you praise,鈥� said shortstop Masyn Winn (age 22), who鈥檚 one of many young Cardinals who will play often this season. 鈥淭o be able to have that relationship with your manager is great. I mean, he鈥檚 great for the young guys, listens to what they have to say.

鈥淗e鈥檚 not afraid to have a hard conversation, but you need that. I鈥檓 a Texas boy, my mom was hard on me, so I鈥檝e always needed that. So for me, personally, I think he鈥檚 great. He鈥檚 been great to my family, he鈥檚 been great to the guys in the clubhouse.鈥�

From a statistical standpoint in 2024, the Cards struggled in many offensive categories 鈥� and many starting pitching categories. As we鈥檝e detailed on these pages, much of that was due to roster construction, underachievement from superstars or rising stars, and the lack of minor league pitching depth.

At 83-79, Marmol鈥檚 Cards had baseball鈥檚 16th-best record; however, their expected win-loss total, per Baseball Reference, was 76-86 and 20th-best (so they overachieved what the data said they would do).

And the Cardinals had a run differential of minus-47, making them the only team (of 12) with a negative run differential to finish with a winning record.

And Marmol managed his way through airtight games 鈥� he finished with a 29-22 record in one-run games, the fifth-best record in the majors.

Coinciding with that, he often pressed the right buttons with his bullpen. The Cards鈥� relievers had a 3.64 ERA 鈥� seventh-best in Major League Baseball.

鈥淚 think one of the biggest impacts last year as far as growth was in the pitching department, in my opinion,鈥� Marmol said. 鈥淚 think we took some huge steps in the right direction 鈥� in not only modernizing how we view that department but instilling certain traits, that when you combine it with modernization of the game, it leads to production. (Our coaches) closed that gap big time.鈥�

Marmol, 38, is proud of his coaching staff. There is a cool energy within their gang. These are confident baseball thinkers. Guys with winning backgrounds 鈥� and now Jon Jay is in the mix, too.

鈥淭hese are guys that love developing players,鈥� the manager said. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 what a lot of this year is going to be like 鈥� developing players at the highest level.鈥�

Youthful energy in leadership positions 鈥� not unlike the Cardinals clubhouse, too. One of the biggest themes of Winter Warm-Up was the empowerment of young players. With 30-something vets such as Paul Goldschmidt, Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn and likely Nolan Arenado gone, the 20-somethings can take over the room. And some of the best young leaders and personalities 鈥� from Brendan Donovan to Lars Nootbaar to Winn 鈥� share some quality traits with Marmol. Twice this weekend in public, Marmol described his team as 鈥渆lectric鈥� and 鈥渁bsolutely relentless.鈥�

The Cardinals鈥� plan is to spend little this offseason and cut payroll, with looming losses in TV and ticket revenue in 2025. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will spend big in minor league player development (coaches and technology) to help grow more prospects.

The other part to this? The 鈥渞unway鈥� that major league Cardinals will get in 2025. Marmol said past examples of giving a 鈥渞unway鈥� helped the club realize the potential of Michael Siani and Alec Burleson. Now, they鈥檒l let many more kids play. For instance, finally, Jordan Walker will likely get a full season in 51黑料.

As for coaching these young players, the manager said: 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to love on them, you鈥檝e got to love what you do. And with those relationships 鈥� they don鈥檛 care how much you know until they really know that you care about them as individuals, not just on the field but who they are off the field. And that鈥檚 what goes into this.鈥�

Benjamin-hochman

Hochman: Quinn Mathews wanted to be an investment banker. Instead, he鈥檚 Cardinals鈥� top SP prospect.

• Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Victor Scott II looks to be spring resource for JJ Wetherholt: Recap from Cardinals Warm-Up

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch ,  Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch ,  Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch

Benjamin-hochman

Hochman: Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up is chilly with Nolan Arenado trade looming

• Benjamin Hochman | Post-Dispatch

Marmol, DeWitt speak at 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Bill DeWitt Jr. says Cardinals season will be different with 'a good young core of players'

Bill DeWitt III says in Cardinals' 'downturn' they are taking 'advantage of the younger player pipeline'

Bill DeWitt III says Cardinals are hoping to 'lay a foundation for a sustained period of success'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol says young core is 'hungry to do well'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol on Willson Contreras: 'He is passionate about being a very good first baseman'

Oliver Marmol on why he wanted to coach the Cardinals: 'This city really cares about their baseball'

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

In front of one of the smallest crowds in recent memories for the annual Winter Warm-Up, Cardinals owners explained the biggest shift in approach during their stewardship of the club and how the payoff will be regaining the 鈥渂uzz and excitement鈥� they鈥檝e relied on from fans.

Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. and club President Bill DeWitt III spent Monday talking with fans and media about the team鈥檚 reasoning for reducing payroll, reemphasizing young players and, in many ways, retreating from the October expectations that have defined nearly three decades of ownership. Rather than repeat recent attempts that fell short and put them further behind their rivals in the National League, the Cardinals鈥� retrenchment is meant to buy time to reorganize around development.

For months, executives have called it a 鈥渞eset.鈥�

On Monday, they were asked when they intend to reassert.

鈥淲hen you look at the industry right now, it鈥檚 so competitive (and there are) very few teams that you feel like their strategy is behind the times,鈥� DeWitt III told a gathering of fans Monday from the main stage at Ballpark Village. 鈥淭hat wasn鈥檛 always the case. That鈥檚 not to say that you can鈥檛 still outfox them. It seems to me, if you have a downturn like we鈥檝e had, you really have to take advantage of the younger player pipeline to build foundation and then adding to that to put you over the edge.

鈥淥ur goal is to get to the World Series and win the World Series,鈥� he continued. 鈥淚 can assure you if we get there in some reasonable period of time, it will be because of what we鈥檙e going through now, not in spite of it.鈥�

The Cardinals have trimmed around $50 million from last year鈥檚 payroll, and they are one of six teams yet to spend a dollar on a major league free agent this offseason. They could drop more salary if they鈥檙e able to trade All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado while picking up some of the remaining $74 million on his deal. DeWitt Jr. said Monday that the Cardinals do not need to cut costs elsewhere if they鈥檙e unable to trade Arenado.

The Gold Glove Award winner has a full no-trade clause, and he鈥檚 already vetoed one deal as he prefers to move to a clear contender, not a 鈥渟idestep鈥� in the standings, per his agent.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not like he鈥檚 begging to leave,鈥� DeWitt Jr. said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e happy to have had him, and we鈥檒l be happy to in the future if he stays.鈥�

The timing of the Cardinals鈥� pivot comes during the reduction of two revenue streams that allowed them to float above their market size. The Cardinals鈥� broadcast rights deal has been clipped by 23%, and it could be several years before a new model emerges with the same payoffs 鈥� if ever. Concurrently, the Cardinals have gone a dozen years since their most recent pennant, six since they won a playoff series and they are now braced for a downturn in ticket sales due to two disappointing seasons. In 2024, they failed to sell 3 million for the first time in a full-capacity season at Busch Stadium III.

The Winter Warm-Up was the first glimpse of fan frustration with reduced foot traffic and, for the first time, events free to the public.

For decades, Cardinals ownership tied payroll spending to ticket revenue. During the DeWitts鈥� 30-minute news conference with local media, the DeWitts affirmed that they鈥檝e 鈥渁lways been in this for the long-term鈥� as owners and see a youth movement now leading to a resumption of spending later. The Post-Dispatch asked how, if payroll links to tickets, they avoid the spiral of spending less, winning less, drawing less so they spend less, win less, draw less.

鈥淵ou have to be realistic where you are in the cycle,鈥� DeWitt Jr. said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had great teams and great players. There鈥檚 a cycle that occurs generally. We鈥檝e made every effort to have the best team that we can have, but it鈥檚 at a sacrifice.

鈥淲e haven鈥檛 had draft choices because we鈥檝e lost them when we signed players. ... The best way to build a championship club in my view is to have good young players coming through the system. When you go a period of time when you don鈥檛 have the luxury of early draft choices, it鈥檚 very difficult. You can鈥檛 just spend your way into it. There is a balance there. I think we鈥檙e in a good spot.鈥�

DeWitt III said fans can see the standings, see the lack of spending, so the club has to sell them on the new direction, not the past.

鈥淓ven if we tried to pull the wool over our fans鈥� eyes, it would have lasted maybe a second,鈥� DeWitt III said. 鈥淭hey understand what鈥檚 going on. They understand the cycles of professional sports, and they understand, I think, where we are in the cycle. (A question) mentioned the word 鈥榬ebuild.鈥� I think that word doesn鈥檛 apply in this case. Pick your 鈥榬e-鈥� word. Reset. Renewal. Whatever. Because we have a nice young core of players, I think we really have to clear the path for playing time for all of them so we know what we have, and we properly identify the guys who are going to be the foundation for our future success. Then we can start adding back.

鈥淯ntil then, I think our fans know exactly what we鈥檙e trying to do, and hopefully they鈥檙e on board with it and they鈥檒l hang in there with us.鈥�

The Post-Dispatch asked if an organization that acquired stars and extended their contracts to stave off the losing dips was entering an era with more oscillations in the standings.

Are downturns just part of their current 鈥� 鈥渞e-鈥� word ahead 鈥� reality?

鈥淭he goal is to have those down cycles be few and far between,鈥� DeWitt III said. 鈥淎nd I think the way to build a sustained competitive window is to have good, improving, cost-controlled players that you can supplement where the system falls off. ... For us, you hope to go on a run like we just did for the last 20 years. No guarantees. That鈥檚 what we鈥檙e trying to build again.鈥�

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the market, the Los Angeles Dodgers are fortifying a World Series championship team with a payroll that could double the Cardinals, and the New York Mets lured outfielder Juan Soto to Queens with the richest contract in professional sports.

The gap between the haves and have-mores is increasing exponentially, fueled in part by mid-market teams like the Cardinals experiencing broadcast revenue turbulence. In two years, owners will negotiate the next collective bargaining agreement with the union, and the call for spending guardrails will only grow.

During the question-and-answer session with fans, DeWitt III said owners are discussing the disparity and concerns on remaining financially competitive.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not in a position to compete at that kind of level of payroll,鈥� DeWitt Jr. said.

After the news conference, the Post-Dispatch asked DeWitt III directly if the Cardinals needed a new economic system or a salary cap in the next CBA to 鈥� another 鈥渞e-鈥� word 鈥� return to relevance as a National League power.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to compete whether there is a new framework, the same framework or whatever it is,鈥� he said. 鈥淎ll the things that we鈥檙e doing now, no matter what the system is, there is going to be a premium on drafting and developing. We know that.鈥�

On the main stage, DeWitt Jr. likened the current redirection to when the team hired Jeff Luhnow out of the business sector to yank the Cardinals, their scouting and their development into the 鈥淢oneyball鈥� era. Since, the Cardinals have insisted their continuity and internal promotions were a strength and pushed back when asked if the lack of outside input could make things stale. The DeWitts conceded Monday they became a 鈥減retty insular鈥� organization.

That鈥檚 changed this winter.

In addition to positioning former Boston and Tampa Bay executive Chaim Bloom as the next president of baseball operations starting in 2026, the Cardinals have hired player development executives with experience from Cleveland, Seattle, San Francisco and the Dodgers.

On the business side, the Cardinals added Anuk Karunaratne from Toronto. What Bloom is tasked with doing to modernize the minor league programs, Karunaratne is charged with 鈥� among other things 鈥� achieving for fans at home and at the ballpark.

In the coming months, the Cardinals will launch a direct-to-consumer streaming product that is expected to be priced around $20 a month. That will allow in-market fans access to broadcast games without a cable subscription and without blackouts. Widening access to that is another goal. And then the Cardinals pledge to enhance the fan experience at the ballpark.

They spoke a lot Monday about looking toward the future.

They do know what鈥檚 worked in the past: winning.

DeWitt Jr., whose family鈥檚 presence in baseball ownership in 51黑料 stretches back a century, said his father had a quote from Hall of Fame executive Branch Rickey on his desk that read: 鈥淕et the players and the rest will take care of itself.鈥�

鈥淭hat鈥檚 kind of where we were,鈥� DeWitt Jr. said. 鈥淚n today鈥檚 world, you would say, 鈥楪et the ballplayers and develop them and the rest will take care of itself.鈥� Over the last number of years the investment in developing has really expanded dramatically. To be honest, we were a little behind in that regard. We鈥檝e fixed it.

鈥淎nd I think it will pay off for us.鈥�

51黑料 Cardinals

Can swing change help 鈥榮uper-excited鈥� Jordan Walker meet Cardinals鈥� lofty expectations?

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Zack Thompson reconnects with an old coach in effort to get back on track: Recap from Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

• Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch ,  Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch ,  Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

40 early birds set to get a jump on spring with Cardinals' new player development program

• Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch

Marmol, DeWitt speak at 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Bill DeWitt Jr. says Cardinals season will be different with 'a good young core of players'

Bill DeWitt III says in Cardinals' 'downturn' they are taking 'advantage of the younger player pipeline'

Bill DeWitt III says Cardinals are hoping to 'lay a foundation for a sustained period of success'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol says young core is 'hungry to do well'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol on Willson Contreras: 'He is passionate about being a very good first baseman'

Oliver Marmol on why he wanted to coach the Cardinals: 'This city really cares about their baseball'

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

With the Cardinals鈥� major league core shifting to a focus on young, emerging talent, outfielder Lars Nootbaar finds himself as one of the club鈥檚 more experienced position players heading into the 2025 season.

The current roster makeup offers a different look compared with previous seasons in which Nootbaar has suited up for the Cardinals since debuting as a 23-year-old in 2021 鈥� a timeline that has allowed Nootbaar to share a clubhouse with veteran position players including Yadier Molina, Albert Pujols and Paul Goldschmidt.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just been, us as a (young) group, we鈥檝e kind of been able to hang back, do our thing, get our flowers, wherever they may be but then kind of not take any of the brunt of it,鈥� Nootbaar said on Monday at Busch Stadium during Day 3 of the Cardinals鈥� annual Winter Warm-Up event.

But in 2025, 鈥渢here鈥檚 no hiding anymore.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檝e got to be ready,鈥� Nootbaar said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to have some growing pains as a group, but we鈥檙e going to go through it together, which is nice. Unfortunately, I think when I was younger, Nolan (Arenado) and (Goldschmidt) took a lot of that on themselves, and they took it on the chin and didn鈥檛 really have anybody to kind of look around and take any of the blame, and that鈥檚 my fault.鈥�

The 27-year-old Nootbaar enters the upcoming season with the third-most MLB service time among position players on the Cardinals鈥� current 40-man roster behind only Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado, the latter of whom the Cardinals are actively looking to trade. He sits just ahead of utilityman Brendan Donovan for service time among players in that same group.

Nootbaar described an 鈥渆xciting鈥� feeling to be a part of the core group of players the Cardinals are looking at to take a step forward this year. He pointed to the bonds that came with the shared minor league paths the young core had as well as the similar timing of their arrivals to the majors.

The Cardinals saw a wave of position player prospects reach the majors in 2022 when Donovan, Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson each debuted. A year later, top prospects Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn followed suit. The debuts of the pair of 2020 draftees were followed by the 2024 debuts of Victor Scott II and Michael McGreevy.

鈥淚 think as a group, we鈥檙e similar in age, same interests (or) similar interests, I should say,鈥� Nootbaar quipped. 鈥�(With) some of these younger guys coming, I don鈥檛 know what they鈥檙e talking about. I think that we get along, which is cool, too. We鈥檙e an athletic bunch. It鈥檚 just taking pride in that.鈥�

As for the roles that he saw the likes of Goldschmidt and Arenado hold in past years, Nootbaar believes he is ready to take the mantle. He feels it could bring a sense of 鈥減ride鈥� for him and other young players who may do the same.

鈥淏ut I think it will be me, it鈥檒l also be Masyn, it might be (catcher) Pedro (Pages) or (Donovan) or (Burleson), or whoever,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think as a group we can kind of take pride in the praises, but also the falls, so we can grow together.鈥�

The growth of the position player group will also have the veteran presence of Contreras, a three-time All-Star and 2016 World Series champion with the Cubs. Earlier this offseason, Contreras made clear his intention to stick with the Cardinals through their organizational 鈥渞eset鈥� as opposed to asking to be traded elsewhere.

鈥淗e鈥檚 going to be back there, and he knows what it鈥檚 like to be at the top,鈥� Nootbaar said in reference to Contreras, whose presence loomed in the back of the Cardinals鈥� press room during Nootbaar鈥檚 media availability. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what鈥檚 cool too, is we still got guys like him that have been there, done that and won a World Series and know what it鈥檚 like.鈥�

Following three consecutive seasons of 100-plus games played in the majors, Nootbaar described a sense of maturation since his rookie year. In what would be his fifth season in the majors, he looks to bring a blend of professionalism and the approachable personality he鈥檚 displayed in past years.

The outfielder emphasized the value that being one鈥檚 genuine self brings over the course of a season because, as he noted, putting up a 鈥渇ront or doing certain things isn鈥檛 going to help anybody.鈥�

鈥淕uys know who I am. I鈥檓 not going to hide that from them, but it鈥檚 also making sure that they feel comfortable enough to be able to ask me any questions,鈥� Nootbaar said. 鈥淜ind of lead by that and then also rag on them a little bit too.鈥�

51黑料 Cardinals

How Cardinals' Masyn Winn looks to accelerate the quick impact he's made in the majors

• Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Zack Thompson reconnects with an old coach in effort to get back on track: Recap from Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

• Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch ,  Derrick Goold | Post-Dispatch ,  Lynn Worthy | Post-Dispatch

51黑料 Cardinals

Ryan Helsley felt relief to not be traded after start to cloudy winter: Cardinals Extra

• Daniel Guerrero | Post-Dispatch

Marmol, DeWitt speak at 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Bill DeWitt Jr. says Cardinals season will be different with 'a good young core of players'

Bill DeWitt III says in Cardinals' 'downturn' they are taking 'advantage of the younger player pipeline'

Bill DeWitt III says Cardinals are hoping to 'lay a foundation for a sustained period of success'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol says young core is 'hungry to do well'

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol on Willson Contreras: 'He is passionate about being a very good first baseman'

Oliver Marmol on why he wanted to coach the Cardinals: 'This city really cares about their baseball'

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

Day 3 of 51黑料 Cardinals Winter Warm-Up

1:30 p.m.:聽While trade talks continue and uncertainty hangs over the possibility of Nolan Arenado being in Cardinals camp at the start of spring training, Arenado鈥檚 off-field friend Lars Nootbaar looks to be just that 鈥� a friend for the third baseman.聽

鈥淵ou know Nolan, he's working. He looks good right now,鈥� Nootbaar said on Monday during Cardinals Winter Warm-up. 鈥淥bviously, things are going on (and) things are being said, but my role for him is to be a friend. It's just -- that's what I am to him. He looks good. Obviously, everybody here knows he's working. Nobody has to worry about that. But yeah, he looks good. He looks really good right now.鈥�

During Day 1 of the Cardinals鈥� Winter Warm-up, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak described the task of trading the future Hall of Fame third baseman as 鈥減riority 1, 2, and 3.鈥�

This winter, one during which the Cardinals have declared as the start of an organizational 鈥渞eset,鈥� the Cardinals have had ongoing talks with the Red Sox, which is seen as a good fit by Arenado and the Cardinals. A potential deal to send Arenado to the Astros was rejected as Arenado used his no-trade clause to block the move.聽

The inability to find a landing spot for Arenado with less than a month left before spring training begins has limited the Cardinals in making 鈥渁ggressive鈥� offers to free agents this winter.聽

Mozeliak has not ruled out the possibility of trading Arenado during spring training.

-- Daniel Guerrero

Oliver Marmol 鈥榣ooking forward鈥� to seeing Quinn Mathews in spring camp

3:13 p.m.:聽Weeks before pitchers and catchers report for the start of spring training, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has already had a chance to learn more about one of the quick-rising prospects who will be in big-league camp as a non-roster invitee.

The winter warm-up weekend offered a chance for the Cardinals manager to get to know left-hander Quinn Mathews, the Cardinals 2024 minor league pitcher of the year who led the minors in strikeouts with 202 and who rose from Class Low-A to Class AAA.

鈥淚 like the way he (Mathews) thinks. I just like the way he approaches the game. 鈥� I'm looking forward to actually seeing him on the field,鈥� Marmol said.

This upcoming spring training will be Mathews鈥� first big-league spring training. He is one of 26 Cardinals prospects who received a non-roster invite.

Along with Mathews, top prospect JJ Wetherholt will be in big-league camp less than a year after the infielder became the seventh overall pick in his draft class. Fellow former first-round draft picks including outfielder Chase Davis (2023) and left-hander Cooper Hjerpe (2022) will also begin spring training in big-league camp as non-roster invitees. The non-roster invite will be Davis鈥檚 first to big-league spring training. It is the second for Hjerpe.

Also among the non-roster group slated for an up-close look this spring is Jimmy Crooks, the Cardinals鈥� top-catching prospect and their minor-league player of the year for 2024. This is the third time Crooks, who reached Class AA last year, will be in big-league camp as a non-roster invitee.

Marmol described the time in big-league spring training for the non-roster invitees as chance for the coaching staff to learn more about their mental makeup while seeing what they do with the opportunity.

鈥淭here is a part of this, as a young player, of you not caring. And I say that, and I want to make sure I explain it, they don't care what (John Mozeliak) thinks, or what I think,鈥� Marmol said. 鈥淭hey're sure of themselves, and they're going to go compete. They're coachable. That's what you're looking for. Seeing (Crooks ) again聽 鈥� we've seen him a couple of times in camp. We've given him a little bit more of an opportunity to show what he's capable of. Those types of things.鈥�

-- Daniel Guerrero

Contreras makes first comments on his move to first base

2:24 p.m.: Willson Contreras will still have catcher鈥檚 gear with him when he reports to spring training, but it will be more out of habit than necessity this spring.

The three-time All-Star catcher and the Cardinals prized free-agent addition heading into 2023 as the successor to Yadier Molina, Contreras is embracing the move to first base as he turns over the reins of the pitching staff to catchers Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages.

Earlier this offseason, the Cardinals announced plans to move Contreras, who will turn 33 in May, from catcher to first base. Contreras has three years remaining on the five-year contract he signed with the club entering the 2023 season (plus a team option in 2028).

Contreras admitted he felt some initial hesitation about the move, but he realized it made the team better.

鈥淚f I move to first base, I open the opportunity to create a better roster and have more depth to it,鈥� Contreras said. 鈥淲e need Ivan鈥檚 bat and we need Pages鈥� defense. I think we鈥檙e going to have a better and a complete change of the lineup.鈥�

Conteras spent much of last offseason focused on revamping his set-up and receiving skills behind the plate in order to steal more strikes for the Cardinals pitching staff.

He took a lot of his cues from his younger brother, William, the starting catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. William started the All-Star Game for the National League in 2024 and earned All-MLB First Team honors as the best catcher in the majors.

鈥淚 think everybody loves the move, to be honest,鈥� Contreras said with a smile. 鈥淢y brother told me, 鈥榊ou cannot be mean anymore because you鈥檙e playing first base. You need to say hi to everybody.鈥� But no, I think everybody embraced it differently.

鈥淢y brother was happy for me just to be first base. He told me I don鈥檛 need to prove anything to anybody anymore. He told me聽鈥� I wasn鈥檛 thinking this way 鈥斅爋ut of nine years in the big leagues, you were Top 5 for seven years.鈥�

--Lynn Worthy

Cardinals eyeing $20/month price to stream

12:33 p.m.: The Cardinals have not finalized the complete plan and announcement for their new direct-to-consumer streaming option for fans in the 2025 regular season and beyond. But president Bill DeWitt III said Monday that the team expects the cost to be $20 per month, or around that number.

For the first time this season, the Cardinals will have a way for fans to stream games in market and beyond.

That means that fans within the Cardinals' exclusive market who would otherwise encounter blackouts on or other streaming options will not longer run into that issue. The direct-to-consumer streaming option will be an alternate to a local cable subscription. 

For fans outside of the market, the streaming option, run in partnership with FanDuel Sports Network, may be available or may go through . Those policies will be clear, especially for the markets that overlap with other clubs, when they launch the final product. Blackout policies will guide that availability until those policies can be changed.

The Cardinals are one of the teams advocating for a change in that blackout policy to allow all fans all access to the teams of their choice via any streaming out, but rights deals with other clubs are restrictive.

The Cardinals have been advertising their streaming service throughout the weekend at Winter Warm-Up and promising details to come. Yet to be finalized is whether there will be a subscription that packages Blues games and Cardinals games together with their broadcast partner, FanDuel.

The Cardinals have also explored linking ticket sales to subscriptions as well, bringing fans who attend games some sort of promotional element to also subscribe to the streaming app.

During the owners' Q & A with fans, they said there are no plans currently to expand Spanish-language broadcasts to road games, though they added that is the ultimate goal. Polo Ascensio and Bengie Molina currently broadcast all home games for the the Cardinals online and for their Spanish-language radio partner.

A question from a fan about putting a design in the batter's eye prompted Bill DeWitt III to say they'll consider such decoration. The fan mentioned the shrubbery that spells out PIRATES at PNC Park or the cursive-W that is part of the decoration of the batter's eye at Nationals Park. DeWitt said he was receptive to looking into that changing what the Cardinals have had pretty static since the opening of Busch Stadium III in 2006.聽

-- Derrick Goold

Marmol gives glimpse into dynamic with Bloom and 'Mo'

12:31 p.m.:聽The Cardinals are in a fascinating spot right now聽鈥� John Mozeliak is the Cardinals鈥� president of baseball operations, but the next president of baseball operations is currently working for the Cardinals.

Chaim Bloom is rebuilding the Cardinals鈥� player development system 鈥� making hires and purchases of technology 鈥� as the Cards hope to grow more prospects. Bloom will take over for 鈥淢o鈥� after the 2025 season. Manager Oliver Marmol, whose current contract goes through 2026, gave a glimpse into the leadership dynamic during a news conference Monday at Winter Warm-Up.

Asked about Bloom, Marmol said: 鈥淗e cares. He takes all of this very serious聽鈥� and he has a plan for how he wants to move this forward. The collaboration between him and 鈥楳o鈥� and myself has been awesome this offseason. The conversations have been very good. And then in meeting (new executives) Larry Day and Rob Cerfolio and that group聽鈥� a very talented, smart, hungry group that is looking to impact this organization in an extremely positive way.

鈥淲hat I love about all of it is the collaboration between the big leagues and the minor leagues and continuing to make it just one. A lot of the development calls for minor league baserunning, for our minor league outfield play, the curriculum for our infield play. All of our coaches are on it, and all the minor league staff is on it. So it's just one big conversation about how to move this thing forward. So the collaboration? I have nothing but extremely good things to say about it.鈥�

-- Benjamin Hochman

Photos and videos: Sights and sounds from Day 2 of Cardinals Winter Warm-Up