Identity-less Cardinals struggle to blend good hitting with good pitching

Is this who they are? The more games they play, a story is being painted.

Upon checking the N.L. Central standings for 2024, a St. Louis Cardinals fan may be shocked to find out the team won as many games as the Chicago Cubs. Each of them won 83 games, good for ten games back of the Milwaukee Brewers. The North Siders are the favorite among analysts and pundits to take the crown this season, and they lead the division at the moment. In essence, last year wasn’t as bad as some make it out to be; for St. Louis standards, it was average enough to demand changes.

Then, the team did next to nothing in the offseason. They took Brendan Donovan, one of their finest all-around hitters, to a needless arbitration. They did not trade their N.L. best closer, Ryan Helsley, even if his appeal was at an all-time high. They couldn’t find a deal for embattled third baseman, Nolan Arenado, that met his and the team’s liking. Teams either wanted St. Louis to pay a huge chunk of his remaining salary, or the former All Star vetoed the deal due to a tiny list of teams he’d accept a new beginning.

With no offense to Phil Matan, acquired days before the first pitch of the 2025 season, the team didn’t improve the roster much outside of turning a few kids loose for more playing time. Ivan Herrera was getting full-time catching reps before hurting his knee. Newly planted at first base, Willson Contreras caught the Paul Goldschmidt 2024 lumber cold, striking out at a 35% rate. Speaking of the Ex-Cardinal, he’s found his swing again in New York as a leadoff hitter. The strikeouts are down, the slugging is up, and the beard is still gone.