Only 'a matter of time before' Albert Pujols manages in majors, baseball execs say
LAS VEGAS 鈥 At some point either leading into the job interview and then definitely during it, the executive who considered Albert Pujols for one of the 30 most-prominent jobs in the majors began to see the future Hall of Famer, three years removed from his 700th home run, as something he hasn鈥檛 been in two decades 鈥 a rising prospect.
If not this year, two execs who considered him for their manager vacancies this winter said, Pujols will manage a big-league club sometime.
Dominican Republic鈥檚 manager Albert Pujols looks on before a Caribbean Series baseball game against Venezuela at Nido de los Aguilas stadium in Mexicali, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
A classic debate: a historic season by the most dominant right-handed hitter in the world vs a historic season from one of the most influential catchers in baseball.
Front office officials Michael Girsch, Randy Flores and Moises Rodriguez will see some shift in responsibilities but also an increase in staffing and roles, per sources.
The Cardinals are fielding overtures (and looking to maximize the return) for their cost-controlled Gold Glove winner who fits a mid-market payroll and offers versatility for other moves.
After two 90-win seasons, two playoff berths and perennial votes for manager of the year, the 57-year-old coach retires with two years remaining on contract.
Greetings! Welcome to the first Cardinals chat of this MLB offseason. Alex Bregman has opted…
Would Albert Pujols make a good MLB manager?
You voted:
Cardinals All-Star Brendan Donovan among most coveted hitters in trade talks
LAS VEGAS 鈥 As Kansas City general manager J.J. Picollo described the type of player he鈥檇 like to add this offseason to the Royals鈥 lineup, the traits sure sounded familiar.
鈥淩ight now we don鈥檛 have somebody who can play infield and right field, and that鈥檚 something we鈥檝e got to look at,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f we had somebody who could go from the infield to the outfield that鈥檚 very beneficial.鈥
Goold: I once voted for catcher Yadier Molina as MVP. Cal Raleigh has much stronger case.
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run during eighth inning in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Seattle.
Frank Gunn, The Canadian Press via AP
LAS VEGAS 鈥 The moment is more memorable in my family because of the epic photobomb, not because of anything I had to say on national TV to defend an MVP vote against the heat.
There I stood 12 years ago at Busch Stadium as a guest on MLB Network for host Brian Kenny to quiz me about putting Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina at No. 1 on my 2013 National League MVP ballot. . As Kenny debated my reasoning, over my shoulder peeked the head of a 7-year-old.
Is Giants manager Tony Vitello putting together a 'Mini Mizzou' in San Francisco?
LAS VEGAS聽鈥 New San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello, the first to make the leap straight from NCAA power into helming a big-league dugout, it pulling together some of his Tiger ties to infuse his first staff with Mizzou influence.
Vitello, a 最新杏吧原创 native, has already added two fellow alumni of the Mizzou baseball program and former teammates to his first major-league staff.
"Surreal," says father Greg, a Hall of Fame high school coach in 最新杏吧原创. "If you can coach, you can coach. That's the thing about Tony. ... He can coach."
With an eye for long-term upside and future cores, Chaim Bloom is exploring trades for starters and says the Cardinals aren't ruling out spending or "multi-year" offers.
'We鈥檙e on the same page,' says new president of his approach this winter to trading All-Star third baseman. That move and others will shape offseason, from its pacing to Bloom's spending.
Cardinals at center of early trade market: Best Podcast in Baseball
Why Cardinals are shopping for a starter while open to trading their top starter, Sonny Gray
LAS VEGAS 鈥 Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom was only a few sentences into explaining why, yes, he was entertaining calls from other teams about Sonny Gray when he acknowledged an obvious incongruity.
At the same time the Cardinals are exploring trade interest for the top starter in their rotation, they are also intent on adding a starter to their roster.
Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray cools his hands in front of an air conditioner between innings on Monday, May 19, 2025, during a game against the Tigers at Busch Stadium.
Where should the Cardinals be focusing on during the offseason?
You voted:
Now it's Chaim Bloom's turn to deal with Cardinals' no-trade clauses like Nolan Arenado's
LAS VEGAS 鈥 On his flight Monday to join fellow Cardinals executives at the annual General Managers Meetings, Chaim Bloom reviewed his notes from the contact he鈥檚 had with 28 of the other 29 teams this past month and formulated a gameplan for how conversations begin to evolve into negotiations.
鈥淢aking a to-do list for myself and our group on 鈥榳here do we need to follow up?鈥欌 the Cardinals鈥 president of baseball operations explained. 鈥淲ho do we need to follow up with? What do we need to talk about?鈥
Cardinals third base Nolan Arenado tips his cap to the fans before the start of the game against the Brewers on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
WashU grad Caleb Durbin finishes 3rd for NL Rookie of the Year after Brewers breakout
LAS VEGAS 鈥 The other player with 最新杏吧原创 ties who was involved in the trade a year ago that sent All-Star closer Devin Williams to the Yankees proved to be the most impactful move of the deal and was rewarded for it Monday.
Caleb Durbin, the first Washington University graduate to play infield in the majors since Dal Maxvill, finished third for the National League鈥檚 Rookie of the Year Award, the Baseball Writers鈥 Association of America announced Monday night. Durbin, 25, hit .256 with a .334 on-base percentage to go with 53 RBIs and a .721 OPS in 136 games for the Brewers.
Milwaukee鈥檚 Caleb Durbin is dunked with Gatorade by teammates after his major league debut against the Athletics on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee.
Cardinals prospect Chen-Wei Lin named Arizona Fall League's pitcher of the week
Three sharp, scoreless Thursday by Cardinals prospect Chen-Wei Lin earned the right-hander the Arizona Fall League鈥檚 top weekly pitching honor.
In a start for the Glendale Desert Dogs, Lin struck out five batters, allowed one hit, and issued one walk on 40 pitches to earn him the fall league鈥檚 pitcher of the week, it was announced on Monday. The 23-year-old got 10 swing-and-misses and a 54% whiff rate with his four-pitch repertoire. His fastball, which touched 96.7 mph, was the putaway pitch for three of his five strikeouts.
Guerrero's chat: Who might the Cardinals add or subtract for the 2026 season?
Hello there! Welcome to the Cardinals chat here at STL Today. Post-Dispatch writer Daniel Guerrero here. Major League Baseball鈥檚 offseason is fully here, and the General Managers Meetings begin today in Las Vegas. My P-D teammate Derrick Goold will have coverage from Vegas on that. With all that said, let鈥檚 do this. What questions or comments do you have for me?
(As always, there will be a transcript of the chat below the text box.)
When is Cardinals' next window to win? Trade talks will reveal new timeline
LAS VEGAS 鈥 A week after falling back into standard time, as Major League Baseball executives gather in a city famous for its lack of clocks, the Cardinals will continue to explore decisions and potential trades that help set a watch for when they might be primed to contend again.
Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray tips his hat to the crowd while leaving a game against the Dodgers on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
Post-Dispatch photo
The Cardinals begin Chaim Bloom鈥檚 first offseason leading baseball operations with several positions to fill 鈥 notably a sturdy starter and a veteran reliever 鈥 and a handful of riddles to solve on the roster.
