photo: Nolan Arenado via Zoom (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Other than a few trade rumors, the quiet winter for the St. Louis Cardinals continued into the New Year. Key off-season dates ahead are provided. Our history feature investigates prior trades and free agent signings made during this week.
Offseason News and Notes
In this space will be information on news and events of the offseason that do not require extensive coverage. Check back each week to learn what is happening.
- Cardinals 2025 Spring Training tickets on sale now – The Cardinals have opened the sale for 2025 Spring Training tickets. Purchase tickets at https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/tickets/spring-training
Cardinals 2025 Winter Warm-Up – Winter Warm-Up will be held on January 18-20. Information at https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/fans/winter-warm-up- Winter Warm-Up autograph prices revealed – Here at TCN, we document Winter Warm-Up autographs prices. The article reveals the top prices this year (hint they are all young up and coming players) and how this year’s prices compare to previous years. It has been updated with recent additions, including Willson Contreras. https://thecardinalnation.com/st-louis-cardinals-winter-warm-up-autograph-prices-2025/
- Cardinals’ Season Tickets now available – Fans can purchase season tickets for the upcoming 2025 schedule. A telephone line and chat feature are available for fans. https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/tickets/season-tickets
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
- Derrick Goold of the Post Dispatch writes that the Cardinals are in the market for a setup reliever to replace the services of free agent Andrew Kittredge.
- The “market” for third baseman Nolan Arenado appears to have stalled. Since the trade to the Astros was quashed by Arenado invoking his no-trade protection in December, there has been little to no movement occurring. Perhaps teams are waiting for free agent third baseman Alex Bregman to settle on a team before setting their sights on the Arenado alternative.
- There are recent rumors out of Boston that the Red Sox may be at or near the top of Arenado’s preferred destinations, but it is unclear how serious the AL East team may be in acquiring him.
Transactions
There are no transactions to report.
Injury Report
There are no new injuries to report.
Looking Ahead
It is now January and about 5-6 weeks until pitchers and catchers report. The Cardinals have not made any significant offseason moves since the Winter Meetings in early December.
Some key dates in January include:
- January 9 – Arbitration filing deadline. The Cardinals have six arbitration eligible players. They are Ryan Helsley (3rd year), JoJo Romero (2nd), John King (2nd), Lars Nootbaar (1st), Brendan Donovan (1st) and Andre Pallante (Super Two, 1st).
- January 15 – International signing period opens.
- January 21 – The 2025 Hall of Fame Class will be announced. The results of the voting by the BBWAA that took place in December will be discloed live on MLB Network at 5 pm CT. Two members of the class, Dick Allen and Dave Parker, were chosen by the Classic Era Baseball Committee and announced in December.
- January 27 and continuing through February 14 – Arbitration hearings for eligible players who failed to come to contract terms with their teams will be held.
Blast from the Past
The offseason continues into January with the Cardinals still waiting to offload Nolan Arenado and continue their plan to lower payroll. The market for the third baseman is quiet for the moment.
The Cardinals have indicated that one addition to, rather than a subtraction from, the roster is being considered. The team is reported to be seeking a relief arm to replace free agent Andrew Kittredge.
As the slow offseason continues, this week’s Blast continues with its look at past transactions. This week we cover prior transactions from the period December 30 through January 5.
The following list starts with the date of the transaction, the name or names of the players involved, the teams involved, and the nature of the transaction. Additional relevant details may be included.
January 2, 2002 – The Cardinals signed free agent RHP Jason Simontacchi. He made 24 starts for St. Louis in 2002 and 16 starts in 2003 but suffered a shoulder injury in 2004 and was released. After his playing career ended, he was hired by the Cardinals in 2013 as a minor league pitching coach. He is currently a pitching coordinator for the Kansas City Royals.
January 4, 1988 – The Cardinals signed former Braves third baseman Brad Horner as a free agent. Horner was the Rookie of the Year in 1978 and an All Star with the Braves. He came to the Cardinals at the end of his career and played in 60 games in St. Louis and then injured his shoulder.
January 5, 2024 – The Cardinals traded outfielder Richie Palacios to the Tampa Bay Rays for RHP Andrew Kittredge. Kittredge pitched well as a setup reliever for the Cardinals but he is currently a free agent.
January 5, 2010 – The Cardinals signed OF Matt Holliday as a free agent. Holliday came to the Cardinals mid-season of 2009 in a trade with the Oakland Athletics but tested free agency that winter before returning. The Cardinals signed Holliday to a 7 year/$120 MM contract on this date. Holliday played out the contract and became a free agent after the 2016 season. He signed a one-year contract with the New York Yankees for 2017 and finished his playing career in 2018 with his first team, the Colorado Rockies.
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