MLB Rumors: 3 St. Louis Cardinals Who Won’t Return Next Season

The St. Louis Cardinals didn't make the postseason this year—for the second season in a row. That, in itself, is reason enough for this proud franchise to make some serious changes for 2025.

In addition to axing president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and replacing him with Chaim Bloom, there will be plenty of other Cards being shuffled.

We begin our look at players who will be moving on from eliminated teams around baseball, as we check in on three Cardinals players that won't be back next season:

Paul Goldschmidt

At 37, the veteran first baseman and former MVP will not be back, and we've already heard that one division rival is keeping close tabs on him as he enters free agency.

The seven-time All-Star and 2022 National League MVP has spent the past six seasons with St. Louis and his five-year, $130 million deal has now expired. He's not bringing the best numbers with him, however, to the open market. Goldy hit just 22 homers with 64 RBIs, his lowest full-season totals in 10 years, with an OPS+ of 97, his first time as a below-average hitter in his 14 major league seasons.

Matt Carpenter

There doesn't seem to be anything left in the tank for the 38-year-old Carpenter. He hit just .234 this season, and managed to find his way into just 59 games. He was a three-time All-Star in his first go-round with the Cards, and received MVP votes in three different seasons. But he was a different man upon his return to St. Louis in 2024. One who could even be looking to retirement.

Sonny Gray

Yes, Gray was their big offseason free agent signing last winter. And yes, he was their top starter in 2024. But if the team wants to make some drastic player moves, Gray would be their top trade asset. And we've heard rumors that they are, indeed, shopping the 34-year-old right-hander.

He finished the season at 13-9 with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP with a 203:39 strikeout-to-walk ratio.