Cardinals' Catching Depth Could Lead to Offseason Trades
The St. Louis Cardinals have a wealth of talented catchers in their organization, which could make them active players in the offseason trade market.
Iván Herrera Emerges as Top Prospect
Iván Herrera had a breakout season in 2025, establishing himself as the Cardinals' best hitter. The 22-year-old catcher hit .295 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in 121 games at the major league level. His strong performance has solidified his status as a top catching prospect in baseball.
Depth at the Position
In addition to Herrera, the Cardinals have several other catching prospects knocking on the door of the majors. Pedro Pagés and Yohel Pozo both saw time in the big leagues last season, while Jimmy Crooks and Leonardo Bernal are close behind.
This catching depth gives the Cardinals valuable trade chips as they look to retool their roster under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. As one analyst noted, "Every smart baseball team knows that depth at a position can be an easy path to acquiring talent at another position of need."
Potential Trade Partners
Several teams around the league could have interest in the Cardinals' catching surplus. The Los Angeles Angels, for example, struggled with their catching situation in 2025 and could look to St. Louis to solve their problems behind the plate.
The Texas Rangers are another team in need of catching help after getting subpar production from Jonah Heim and Kyle Higashioka last season. The Cardinals' depth could make them an attractive trade partner.
Challenges in Making Deals
Of course, trading away established or up-and-coming catchers won't be without its challenges for the Cardinals. Herrera in particular has cemented himself as a core part of the team's future, making him difficult to move.
Additionally, veteran Willson Contreras has a full no-trade clause, complicating any potential deals involving him. As one report noted, "Contreras' no-trade clause and large contract makes it quite difficult" for the Cardinals to move on from him this offseason.
Roster Decisions Ahead
As the Cardinals plot their path forward, they'll have to carefully weigh the value of their catching depth against the team's other needs. Bloom will have to decide which players are expendable and which are essential to the franchise's long-term plans.
"This winter should be a lot more exciting in St. Louis than last offseason," as the team navigates a critical offseason of roster reconstruction.
TL;DR
- The Cardinals have a surplus of talented catchers, including top prospect Iván Herrera, that could make them active on the trade market this offseason.
- Several teams around the league, such as the Angels and Rangers, could have interest in acquiring the Cardinals' catching depth.
- However, trading established or promising catchers like Herrera or Willson Contreras won't be easy due to their value to the team or contract status.
- The Cardinals' new front office will have to carefully weigh their roster decisions as they look to rebuild the team around their catching depth.