The St. Louis Cardinals enter the 2025 MLB season with a renewed focus on reclaiming their status as contenders in the National League Central. After a disappointing 65-97 record in 2024, the organization has undertaken a series of strategic moves aimed at revitalizing the team’s performance. Central to these efforts is the acquisition of veteran pitcher Sonny Gray, who has been named the Opening Day starter. Gray’s experience and familiarity with the Twins, his former team, are expected to provide an immediate boost to the Cardinals’ rotation. Offensively, the Cardinals continue to rely on the proven talents of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado. Both players have demonstrated consistent offensive production and leadership qualities that are invaluable to the team’s success. Goldschmidt’s ability to get on base and drive in runs, coupled with Arenado’s power and defensive prowess, form the cornerstone of the Cardinals’ lineup. The development and integration of younger players into the roster have also been a focal point during the offseason. The Cardinals have invested in their farm system, and several prospects are expected to make significant contributions during the 2025 season. This infusion of youth aims to complement the veteran core and provide the team with a balanced and dynamic roster. Defensively, the Cardinals have emphasized improving infield coordination and reducing errors. Spring training sessions have focused on fundamentals and communication, with the goal of enhancing overall team defense. The presence of Arenado at third base continues to be a significant asset, given his multiple Gold Glove awards and reputation as one of the best defensive players in the league. The bullpen has also been a point of emphasis, with the organization seeking to build a reliable group of relievers capable of maintaining leads and closing out games effectively. The Cardinals have explored various options, including potential acquisitions and promoting from within, to strengthen this aspect of the team. As the Cardinals head into Opening Day at Busch Stadium, there’s cautious optimism in the clubhouse and throughout the fanbase. After one of the franchise’s worst seasons in recent history, the front office and coaching staff made it clear during the offseason that improvement would not be optional—it would be expected. One of the team’s first priorities was to bring in veteran leadership on the mound, and signing Sonny Gray to a multi-year deal was the centerpiece of that effort. Gray, coming off a Cy Young-caliber year with the Twins in which he posted a 2.79 ERA and over 180 strikeouts, brings the kind of consistency and competitiveness that the rotation sorely lacked in 2024.

His Opening Day start against his former team adds an extra layer of intrigue, and his familiarity with Minnesota’s lineup could be a significant edge for St. Louis. Behind Gray, the Cardinals are expecting a more effective and consistent year from veterans like Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz, while also integrating young arms like Tink Hence and Gordon Graceffo into the mix over the course of the season. That infusion of youth won’t just apply to the pitching staff. Players like Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, and Ivan Herrera are projected to take on larger roles in the everyday lineup. Walker, in particular, is viewed as a breakout candidate after showing flashes of power and athleticism last year. His development into a middle-of-the-order presence could take pressure off the aging but still dangerous bats of Goldschmidt and Arenado. Speaking of Goldschmidt and Arenado, both are coming off slightly down years by their lofty standards, but neither has shown signs of slowing down physically. Goldschmidt still maintains elite bat speed and zone control, while Arenado remains one of the most dangerous hitters with runners in scoring position. Their presence in the lineup, alongside Brendan Donovan and Tommy Edman—two switch-hitting, high-OBP utility players—gives the Cardinals lineup much-needed balance and versatility. In the offseason, the front office also prioritized getting more athletic and improving their run production from the bottom half of the order, aiming to avoid the scoring droughts that plagued them in 2024. Defensively, the Cardinals are expected to be much sharper this season. With Edman likely patrolling center field full-time and Winn bringing elite range and arm strength at shortstop, St. Louis should be able to cut down on mistakes that led to costly unearned runs last year. Add to that the perennial Gold Glove presence of Arenado at third and Goldschmidt at first, and the Cardinals once again have the potential to be one of the top defensive teams in the National League. Opening Day presents the Cardinals with an opportunity to begin rewriting the narrative after a rough 2024. Hosting a strong Twins team provides an immediate challenge, but it also serves as a litmus test for the offseason improvements and culture reset that have taken place. A dominant outing from Gray and early run support from the core lineup would not only energize the St. Louis faithful, but also send a message that one of baseball’s proudest franchises is ready to contend again in 2025.