Cardinals Winter Warm-Up – In Their Words: Saturday, 1/18/25

photo: Winter Warm-Up fan lineup pre-opening (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Saturday’s Day 1 of the 2025 St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm-Up opened its third year at its new venues, Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village. The assembled fans were greeted by cold and windy conditions typical for a Midwest January.

The most popular presentation on day 1 had to be John Mozeliak’s always-informative main stage event, following a Q&A session with the media. The president of baseball operations then signed autographs.

Signing sessions, one or two hours each, with these current Cardinals players were scheduled on Saturday: Thomas Saggese, Erick Fedde, Tink Hence, Chris Roycroft, Sem Robberse, Drew Rom, Victor Scott II, Kyle Leahy, Steven Matz, Ivan Herrera, Ryan Helsley and Brendan Donovan.

Also signing for fans are Cardinals alumni including Al Hrabosky, Scott Cooper, Ray Lankford, Todd Stottlemyre, Kerry Robinson, Jason Simontacchi, Daniel Descalso and Jon Jay. The latter two are current Cardinals coaches.

Before or after they sign for fans and in some cases take questions and answers from fans (new for 2025), players meet with team physicians and are also brought to the media room for individual Q&A sessions.

Following are selected interviews held during the St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm-Up on Saturday, January 18, 2025. I summarize them and follow with the audio for those who want to listen to the full content. Special thanks to Kyle Reis for sharing video, as well.

Check back this afternoon and evening as additional content is added throughout the day.

Chris Roycroft (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Chris Roycroft (7:58)

Took 3-4 weeks off. Different from last year when he pitched in winter ball and didn’t really have any rest. Prioritized rest and recovery this winter.

Weird to talk about experiences last year – it was kind of overwhelming. But felt good about how he handled ups and downs. Learned to accept that going up and down to Memphis was not in his control.

Changed some pitch designs to maximize repertoire. Slider was his worst pitch in 2024. Making it shorter with smaller break. Other offerings are slider and cutter.


Drew Rom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Drew Rom (5:33)

Had shoulder scope last year. Spent off-season in Jupiter working with the rehab team every day. Shoulder getting stronger. Has progressed to batting practice. Should be about two weeks behind in spring training.

Will perform in any role. Have not discussed starting vs. relieving with Cardinals.

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John Mozeliak (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

John Mozeliak (28:38)

It has been a different off-season. Elephant in the room is will we move Nolan (Arenado)? Affecting how we round out roster. Offseason is not over – want closure by when camp opens. Have to be patient next 8-10 weeks.

No deadline clearly identified with Arenado but will clearly need to discuss before camp. But Arenado controls timing. Stressful environment.

Likes the starting pitching depth. Doesn’t want to trade them. Want to do more with bullpen. Payroll is going down but have a little bandwidth if needed. The (Houston) trade would have been very helpful (in filling roster needs). Bullpen and RH bat would be areas of more flexibility.

Free agent market is slowing down Arenado process. Under bidders (for free agent Alex Bregman) might have more interest.

Other moves if no Arenado trade – really don’t want to do that. For example, trading position players to achieve financial goals.

McGreevy competing for spot. Veterans there but have not been able to go post to post. Wants to keep rotation depth.

Contreras and Gray staying are not blocking anyone. They needed a first base replacement anyway. Both were asked about by other teams often.

First time in his career that in January that we’ve done nothing with the roster. “Hopeful” of getting Arenado deal done. Coin flip, but top priority of organization. Priorities one, two and three.

Arenado dynamic with team will be fine if he remains.

Helsley has been discussed with ownership and Chaim (Bloom). Mo wants to give them a clean slate for 2026. Roster flexibility.

Revenue is down so expense is down. But will see payroll grow again in future.

Player development growth is 20-25% includes headcount/salaries and technology, not facilities. Mostly headcount.

Haven’t made aggressive free agent offers. Need to do something else first (trade Arenado). Knew early on that Sasaki was not realistic.

Not feeling enormous pressure now. Got a lot done early. It is not a must to trade. Don’t want to tear team apart to get to a number.

Quinn Mathews had a breakout year. His swing and miss ability is vogue in the game. Has a lot of confidence. Sky is the limit.

Asked about Gorman and Walker importance. Mo added Nootbaar. Need to go post-to-post and get 600 at-bats.

No new player injuries reported this winter.

Is in favor of a signing deadline or quiet/dead period during offseason. Players want to know where they will be for the season by January 1.

On high spending teams, there have already been a few teams who could control the market. Some change over time. For last 25 years, Cardinals have punched above weight due to fans and TV contract.

Other teams willing to invest at a higher rate. Cardinals have to find the sweet spot. Not going to be like top spenders.

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Victor Scott II (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Victor Scott II (14:57)

Spent three weeks in Jupiter in November. Down there again now.

Needs to study game more, like a classroom, per Willie McGee. Wants to be concrete mentally. Has notebook with tabs for different elements like hitting, baserunning, defense. Pen and paper mentality.

No. 1 memory is making debut in Dodger Stadium.

Physical focus is to turn fastballs into line drives. Brant Brown helping with body movement. Wants to become a hit collector.

Defensively, Jon Jay taught him a routine to help him take better routes and get better first steps. Doing it daily.

Brant Brown has ideas on pitch-to-pitch adjustments, moving body. Told him if he has loose shoulders, he will get under the ball.

Adding a leg kick helped him be athletic and adjustable. Made him more successful.

“Most definitely” coming to camp to win center field job. Mindset to prepare for war (not literally). Michael Siani takes a lot of pride in his defense. Does early work including using a “baby glove” to catch, so Scott now has one too. Took a ball off his mouth early on. Won’t do that again…

Former West Virginia teammate JJ Wetherholt is high energy, great bat-to-ball skills. They golf together. He is in Jupiter now, a Cardinal through and through but “he can’t run with me”.

Learned in 2024 that he can steal bases at this level. Learning more about pitcher tells.

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Sem Robberse (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Sem Robberse (6:35)

Offseason focus has been on the mental part. Checklist. How to attack hitters. Also increasing body weight and power.

2024 injury in back of mind. Was first time hurt. Making adjustments to routine. Finished season healthy. More rest this winter.

Decreased fastball usage in 2024. Went with strengths more. In the middle of the season, he wanted to show every batter every one of his four pitches. Adjusted later in season and stopped that.

Opportunity to join St. Louis is exciting. No interaction yet with new staff.

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Erick Fedde (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Erick Fedde (9:33)

Trying to repeat, refine, build off 2024. Last year, there were questions about his ability to replicate his success in Korea. Proved he belongs.

After joining StL, it took time to get to know catchers and for them to know his style.

Changeup consistency was not the best. Discussed with Dusty Blake. When induced vertical is less than 2, gives up fewer hits. Changed grip, seam shifting, slo-mo, Edgetronic.

In 2022-2023 off-season, moved to Arizona. Use Push Performance for lab, physical therapy, strength, etc.

Last year, was oldest pitcher on White Sox, but was with superstars on Nationals. Look to give back to others what he learned.

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Kyle Leahy (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)_

Kyle Leahy (7:09)

Focus is trying to get 1% better in everything he does daily. Has experimented with position on the rubber, adding a two-seamer to run in on right-handers.

Does not look at numbers at all. They take care of themselves. Focus on completing the job that day.

Tough to pack up entire life when sent down. Desire is to get so much better that he isn’t sent down. Sulking wouldn’t help.

Lance Lynn taught him how to be a pro and made him feel a part of the team. Andrew Kittredge was best teammate. Made guys comfortable. Led by example.

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Thomas Saggese (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Thomas Saggese (14:44)

Wants to do more damage and walk more. Arizona Fall League served its purpose. Plan was to chase less and be more patient. Being more selective is something he had never this much emphasis on. Look for pitches in zone, put pressure on pitchers. Wait for pitch to do damage with. Doing game planning, which he did not do in the minors.

Had some arm fatigue at end of AFL. Being more conscious of body so can be ready to play in October.

He doesn’t have to be a different kind of player to be in MLB.

Has not had role discussion with team. Third base is different, less range required. Second base and shortstop, have to come to ball. Hasn’t done a lot of field work in offseason. Taking balls on concrete.

Paid a little attention to Arenado to know he might get a little more time at third base if Arenado is traded.

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Sonny Gray (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)_

Sonny Gray (21:44)

Meant what he said 1 ½ years ago that he wants to be here. There is no standout team in the division. Not 100% sold we can’t win here, but it will look different. Have been on teams before that won a different way. Wants to be here, but that could change in future.

Young team, have to turn it over to them. It is their clubhouse and their team. Let them spread wings and fly. Provide guidance and help them. Can’t have young guys walking on eggshells. They have to take ownership to get to next step.

Wants to win. Knows he can still compete at highest level. Winning very important. Young guys throw energy into everyone.

Reset does not shock me though it was not anticipated when I signed. IMO, it is needed. I understand it. If caught in the middle, do you really have a direction you are going after?

Talked with a lot of the older guys. Everyone trying to make best decision for himself. The retool will benefit the organization for the next 10 years.

Wish best for Arenado. Doesn’t change view of whether Cardinals can win or not.

Can’t panic if young guys struggle for first month, two or three. But need 1-2 guys to emerge not expected to become an All-Star caliber player.

Catchers Pages and Herrera complement one another. Room for growth. Contreras tremendous athlete, good work ethic. “Give him a chance (at first base).”

Hard to develop relationships in first year with new team. Second year is easier with mutual understanding and respect.

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Steven Matz (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)_

Steven Matz (5:22)

Said he paid attention to rumors because he and his wife had a second child this winter and they wanted to know if they had to relocate or not.

Expecting to start and preparing for that role. Heading to FL in 10 days.

2024 team was still four games over .500 even with guys “like me” who didn’t perform as they wanted. Does not see we have a team that will tank.

In last year of contract and wants to keep playing after. Prove why they signed me.

Had a consistent off-season. No setbacks with his back. Working out three times per week since October.

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Brendan Donovan (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Brendan Donovan (16:38)

Opened with a story about how he cut the line to get Sonny Gray’s autograph on a baseball.

Feels healthy and relaxed for year. Ready to go to Florida. Wants to be great teammate and play as hard as hell. Hard to establish identity until kicked in the mouth. Earn trust then hold accountable. Job is to represent the organization in a positive light.

Knowing you will be in the lineup gives a shot of confidence. There is always pressure, but his three focus areas are preparation, mentality and effort.

2025 is opportunity to shock a lot of people. We have a good roster. Players hungry for information to get better, to learn and to prove fans are right. Wants to get organization back into postseason.

Nootbaar can flip an 0-2 count to a walk fast. Hits ball hard. One of game’s best players when healthy.

Compared to when he started, his swing is different. Can’t stand striking out. Going on pitches earlier sometimes. Sometimes have to be aggressive.

Likes Brant Brown. Hit with him an hour ago. Showered and came here. Cleaning up things.

Playing in Rickwood, AL game made him feel like a kid, like a fairy tale. Meant a lot for him to play in front of family and friends. Hopes MLB continues the annual game.

Feels it is his duty to do more. Hosting first-ever charity event this season to raise awareness of veterans issues. Dad is a vet.

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Tink Hence (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)_

Tink Hence (10:44)

40-man roster spot is one step away from his dream come true. Put achievements in past and see what’s next.

Last year, learned that he was able to compete without feeling his best, without his best stuff. Trouble with back tightness and could not get extended.

More consistent and dedicated in work off the field. Ball is coming out well this offseason. Hopefully will have full season healthy.

On Quinn Mathews, good to see he was disciplined. On Jimmy Crooks, gritty, works hard, really cares, doesn’t like to lose.

Known for his changeup and fastball. But slider made a big jump in 2024 and curveball is progressing. Can throw any pitch in any count against any batter.

Changed slider grip, throwing harder, but relies on deception more than velocity. Dusty Blake and Keynan Middleton showed him. It is a tough pitch for hitters.

Same offseason work plan, but more committed, conviction. Accepts there will be pain in stretching. Now five bullpens in and it feels nice.

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Ryan Helsley (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Ryan Helsley (10:14)

Blessed to stay healthy all year.

Based on rumors, almost certain he would not be back. Really excited to stay. Grew up as a Cardinal. Never been any talk about a contract extension. Another team probably would have traded him. Appreciate Cardinals for not. Mo told his agent six weeks into the offseason that he would be staying unless there was an offer that blew them away.

We have the players, but need guys to step up. Kittredge and JoJo Romero led league in holds. Fernandez pitched great. O’Brien didn’t but has the stuff. They could step in. Kittredge was a great friend and competitor. Wainwright harped on getting better daily.

Being a free agent next year is pretty crazy, surreal. The average MLB career is pretty short. Been in MLB for seven years. Minter and LeClerc free agent deals are promising. With starters going 4-5 innings, team needs a good pen.

If I am worried about a July trade, then I have the wrong focus. Wants to stay here, but it is a two-way street.

Already talked to arbitration players. Told them not to take it personal. Hearing not fun, but important.

Would be open to start if asked. Had 500 IP in minors as starter. Definitely could do it and have resources to help.

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Jon Jay and Daniel Descalso (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Jon Jay and Daniel Descalso (19:00)

JJ: Nice to just be here again. Reminder of how important baseball is here. After Marlins told him he could talk with other teams, coming to Cardinals happened quickly

DD: Fun to come back and see focus in players from last year.

JJ: Victor Scott is a hard worker, takes to heart. Worked with him five times already. Saw Jordan Walker several times, too.

DD: Big part of job is giving players runway. Offense didn’t perform. Help facilitate comebacks.

JJ: Will work with all players, not just outfielders. Take cues from DD.

DD: JJ was one of the smartest players. Helped position others on defense.

JJ: Tony La Russa taught him attention to detail. Preparation was consistent. Also worked with Dave McKay in Arizona. One of the best ever in consistent preparation.

DD: TLR was always a few moves ahead of the other players. Preparation helps calm nervousness.

JJ: Need to be relatable to players. Use experiences.

DD: Agrees, noting JJ has a ring. Get player buy-in and trust. Had late-career thought that they would coach together.

DD: Players don’t want to believe what is being written (about 2025). Playoff fight should be expectation, winning baseball. No rollover expectation.

DD: Brownie (Brant Brown) is not a magic pill. Players have to make adjustments. Not relaxing. Should be a sense of urgency. League is not ‘try hard’, but is ‘get it done’.

JJ: 2023 Marlins showed we can get better and make playoffs.

DD: Be honest with evaluations. Help players hold each other accountable. Says Jordan Walker needs to hit more line drives and Nolan Gorman needs to make more contact.

DD: Player has to be ready to accept coaching. You are your best hitting coach. No one knows your swing better than you.

DD: Fun to get to know new coaches (in player development). Keeping StL coaches engaged. Respecting Cardinals traditions while bringing new ideas.

JJ: Victor Scott wants to be great. Working on first step and routes. He is all in.

DD: Donovan is the ultimate professional. Plays multiple positions and gains respect. Leadership similar to Goldschmidt. There are a few dynamic personalities in the locker room who could become leaders, but not going to put pressure on them by naming names.

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