As the new season approaches, both the St. Louis Cardinals' roster and their spring training facility are undergoing significant transformations, with renovations that are hard to ignore.
In Jupiter, Florida, this scenario is more than just a coincidence; it’s an apt metaphor for the current state of the team. The Cardinals have spent the offseason making dramatic changes to their lineup, yet they still lack the assured players who will be pivotal when it’s time to win once again. Meanwhile, the training complex itself is in a phase of reconstruction, a project that is also not yet fully completed.
Eventually, both of these rebuilds will reach their conclusion, although the timeline for each remains uncertain.
At present, life at the facility is characterized by careful organization and planning. For instance, a bar and grill situated across from Roger Dean Stadium was bustling with Super Bowl fans on Sunday night, but by Monday morning, it had been transformed into a breakfast hub for the ballplayers who arrived early.
Despite some hiccups—such as crucial keys and access cards that were supposed to be delivered by February 5 still not reaching everyone—the basics like plumbing appear to be operational.
On Monday morning, the air buzzed with the sound of landscaping equipment, overwhelming the usual noise of baseballs hitting gloves. However, the presence of landscaping workers is, in itself, a positive indicator of progress being made.
An employee mentioned that construction efforts at the Cardinals' revamped southern headquarters might continue around the clock, operating from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week. A delivery truck even maneuvered through the gates, bringing in pallets of weight room equipment covered with tarps.
There’s a palpable sense of urgency to have everything ready by Tuesday, when the facility is expected to be operational for players and open for media coverage. In contrast, the roster does not exhibit the same frantic pace of activity.
As the weeks of spring training unfold, familiar routines will take shape. Approximately a dozen pitchers are vying for about half as many bullpen spots for Opening Day. Currently, the starting rotation boasts three confirmed members (provided they stay healthy), with several other pitchers competing for two or possibly three additional slots.
Fans will have a top prospect to keep an eye on: JJ Wetherholt. If he doesn’t start at the top of the depth chart for second base during training, it would only be due to technicalities and a deliberate effort not to hand him a position outright. Nevertheless, there is strong confidence that he will earn his place on the team.
Whether the competition will remain suspenseful as March approaches is still up in the air, but if it does extend beyond that point, it likely won’t be by much.
The current roster is still a work in progress. Recently, the Cardinals acquired third baseman Bryan Ramos off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles, adding another right-handed bat to the mix. At just 23 years old, Ramos was once a highly regarded prospect for the Chicago White Sox, the only team he has played for in the majors thus far. While he has primarily played third base, his role may change if he secures a spot on the team, especially considering he has exhausted his minor league options, giving him an advantage.
Outfielder Nelson Velázquez, who joined the camp on a minor league contract, brings experience from playing all three outfield positions and has hit a handful of home runs in the big leagues, potentially filling the right-handed bat need for the Cardinals.
There’s also the possibility of former Cardinal Randal Grichuk joining the ranks as he searches for a team to play for in his 13th big league season. If Grichuk, or another seasoned veteran, comes aboard, they would be joining an exclusive group in the Cardinals' camp.
Currently, only two players, starter Dustin May and reliever Ryne Stanek, who signed as free agents this winter, have prior big league appearances before 2020. May's stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 saw him pitch fewer than 40 innings.
After a prolonged period of indecision and delay, the Cardinals are now clear about their direction. However, the team has yet to establish a cohesive method for measuring success this season, which undoubtedly will not rely solely on wins or losses.
Looking ahead, there’s hope that with numerous breakout performances and untapped potential, the outcomes for 2027 could surpass expectations. Yet, looming over the future is the ominous threat of potential labor disputes in baseball, raising doubts about how feasible it is to plan for a full season next year.
But that’s a concern for later. Right now, the priority revolves around practical matters like accessing breakfast and weight benches rather than focusing on postseason preparations.
This iteration of the St. Louis Cardinals is a fresh construct, built not entirely from scratch but rather from the remnants of an aging structure that had fallen behind industry standards—a reality that leadership recognized but struggled to rectify until now.
They are working well into the night—beyond 2 a.m. in some offices—to ensure everything is set up correctly.
