Three St. Louis Cardinals players might find themselves on new teams by the end of MLB’s Winter Meetings. The Cardinals are expected to shed some salary this offseason, as the organization aims to tighten its finances despite a restructured TV deal with FanDuel Sports Network. Owner Bill DeWitt Jr. has made it clear that the team’s financial goals are still unmet, meaning at least one player with a guaranteed contract is likely to be moved.
While veterans Willson Contreras, who will take on first-base duties in 2025, and Sonny Gray have expressed their intentions to remain with the Cardinals, others on the roster have not been as vocal.
Here are three players who could be traded by the end of the Winter Meetings:
1. 3B Nolan Arenado
Arenado is arguably the most likely trade candidate among those with no-trade clauses. With both Contreras and Gray secure, Arenado and Miles Mikolas are the main players in question, with Arenado’s trade prospects higher due to Mikolas’s recent struggles. After finishing third in NL MVP voting in 2022, Arenado posted a .269/.320/.426 line with 42 home runs and a 104 OPS+ over the past two seasons. His defense rebounded in 2024, adding to his 4.9 bWAR over two years. With three years and $74 million remaining on his contract—Colorado covering $10 million and some deferred payments—teams like the Phillies, Dodgers, and Astros could be interested in acquiring him.
2. LHP Steven Matz
Matz, who signed a four-year, $44 million deal in 2021, enters the final year of his contract. He’s struggled with injuries, with his highest innings total for the Cardinals coming in 2023 at 105, divided between starting and relieving. His $12.5 million salary for 2025 is likely affordable for many teams, and his versatility as a swingman makes him an attractive option. While a top-100 prospect may not be in return, the Cardinals should still receive decent value for Matz.
3. RHP Erick Fedde
Fedde joined the Cardinals in a three-team trade at the last deadline, having spent six years in MLB and a brief stint in Korea in 2023. Before the trade, Fedde had a 3.11 ERA across 121.2 innings with the White Sox, but his initial Cardinals outings were bumpy. He settled in and finished with a 3.72 ERA over 55.2 innings for St. Louis. At $7.5 million for 2025, Fedde’s affordable salary and mid-rotation potential make him an appealing trade target as the Winter Meetings approach.
These players are likely to be hot topics during the Winter Meetings as teams seek roster upgrades.
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