BREAKING: Cardinals rotation switch proves provides major decision on John Mozeliak ending era
The Chaim Bloom era seems to be taking shape even before officially beginning.
The St. Louis Cardinals are entering their final season under team president John Mozeliak, who previously announced he would not renew his contract when it expires at the end of the 2025 season. During his tenure, which began when he was named general manager in 2008, the Cardinals secured a World Series title in 2011, six NL Central championships, and nine postseason appearances.
Mozeliak’s eventual successor is Chaim Bloom, the former chief baseball officer of the Boston Red Sox. Bloom’s tenure in Boston was marked by limited success, including just one postseason appearance in four years and the controversial trade of Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Known for his particular approach to roster management, Bloom’s influence already seems evident in St. Louis.
On Sunday, the Cardinals announced that Matthew Liberatore had earned a spot in the starting rotation over Steven Matz, who will move to the bullpen until April 16, when the team shifts to a six-man rotation.
Cardinals Opening Day moves show Chaim Bloom era is upon us
This move aligns with Chaim Bloom’s typical approach, which prioritizes giving younger players or near-MLB-ready prospects opportunities rather than relying on veteran acquisitions to win immediately. During his time with the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, Bloom often emphasized player development and long-term sustainability, mirroring the Rays’ philosophy of prioritizing internal talent over high-cost free agents.
In contrast, John Mozeliak historically leaned toward acquiring experienced players to remain competitive in the short term. Last season, the Cardinals attempted to bolster their rotation by signing Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, hoping their veteran presence would help the team contend for a postseason spot. Despite a rocky start, St. Louis remained in the NL Wild Card race by the trade deadline but ultimately chose to sell.
This offseason marked a philosophical shift, with Mozeliak acknowledging that the Cardinals were entering a rebuilding phase and would not aggressively pursue free agents.
Now, Matthew Liberatore has earned a spot in the starting rotation to open the season. Last year, he primarily pitched out of the bullpen, appearing in 60 games (six starts) while posting a 4.40 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts over 86 innings. This spring, he was also used mostly as a reliever (five of six games) but impressed with a 1.62 ERA, a 0.78 WHIP, and nine strikeouts in 16.2 innings.
Michael McGreevy will open the year in Triple-A, #STLCards manager Oli Marmol said.
Matthew Liberatore will be in the big-league rotation to open the season. Steven Matz will begin the year in the bullpen, but will move into the rotation on April 16.
— Daniel Guerrero (@TheDanGuerrero) March 23, 2025
Meanwhile, Steven Matz, who dealt with a back injury last season, will begin the year in the bullpen despite posting strong spring numbers (2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 11 strikeouts in 19.2 innings across five starts). He is expected to rejoin the rotation on April 16 when the Cardinals transition to a six-man setup.
Though the regular season hasn’t begun, Bloom’s influence on the team’s direction is already evident.