For much of the past decade, the St. Louis Cardinals have operated with a clear mindset: spend money, compete every year, and remain in the playoff picture. While that approach produced occasional flashes of success, it ultimately failed to deliver sustained results. Over time, the organization’s overall performance has steadily slipped, signaling deeper issues within the roster construction and long-term planning.
Those problems have become especially clear over the last few seasons. The Cardinals have struggled to keep pace with the rest of the National League and, most notably, have fallen short of reaching the postseason. After years of attempting to retool on the fly, the franchise is now preparing for a long-overdue rebuild—one that aims to reset the organization and create a stronger foundation for future contention.
That rebuilding process began last offseason, when St. Louis made a conscious decision to avoid spending heavily in free agency. While the team managed to remain competitive for a short stretch, it soon became clear that bigger changes were needed. At the trade deadline, the Cardinals started moving veteran players, signaling a shift toward a more forward-looking strategy. That direction continued into the offseason with the trade of Sonny Gray, followed soon after by a deal that sent catcher Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox.
Despite those moves, the Cardinals’ work is far from finished. The front office may still explore trades involving key veterans such as Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado, both of whom have surfaced repeatedly in trade rumors throughout the offseason. Their potential departures would further underscore St. Louis’ commitment to reshaping the roster. And even beyond those names, the Cardinals have additional decisions to make as they fully embrace a rebuild aimed at restoring long-term success.
Talented lefty Jojo Romero has also popped up in trade rumors. He’s likely one of the more valuable trade assets left on the Cardinals as their fire sale continues.
Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com predicted the Cardinals would opt to trade Romero to the New York Yankees this offseason.
“GM Brian Cashman sends two mid-level prospects and one lottery ticket prospect to St. Louis in exchange for Cardinals lefty reliever JoJo Romero,” Caldera wrote.
The Yankees lost a few relievers early in the offseason, so a trade like this could make perfect sense as they begin to build out their bullpen for next season. Adding a reliable lefty like Romero, who’s coming off a huge season, would be worth the investment.
If the Yankees want to contend in the loaded American League East for years to come, they’re going to need to improve the bullpen from where it stands right now. Swinging a trade for Romero would give the team a late innings southpaw to shut down the game’s best left-handed swingers.
