Nolan

Gorman

Three prospects and two picks, which are set to be 68th or 69th and 72nd or 73rd overall, seems like a fair return for Donovan, who departs two years before becoming eligible for free agency. The move comes just one day after the Mariners revealed that Cijntje, the switch-pitching 2024 first-round pick, would focus on being a right-handed starter this spring and would likely be limited to throwing bullpen sessions left-handed. We’ll have to wait and see if the Cardinals feel the same way. Cijntje throws considerably harder right-handed and projects as a mid-rotation starter used traditionally. He had a 4.58 ERA in 74 2/3 innings in High-A and a 2.67 ERA in 33 2/3 innings in Double-A last year, and he’s probably still a full season away from contributing in the majors. With Donovan joining Nolan Arenado in exiting, the Cardinals now have two starting infield spots available for Nolan Gorman, José Fermín, Thomas Saggese and top prospect JJ Wetherholt. It seems likely that Gorman will get one of them against righties, no matter how little he’s done lately to deserve it.

There are multiple pathways to a starting role for Wetherholt next season in the wake of Nolan Arenado being dealt to the Diamondbacks and with Brendan Donovan continuing to surface in trade rumors. The 23-year-old top prospect batted .306/.421/.510 with 17 homers and 23 steals in 109 games in the upper minors last season and could fit at either third base or second if St. Louis is willing to start his service-time clock and let him compete for NL Rookie of the Year honors. Wetherholt projects as an immediate five-category fantasy contributor with a chance to break camp as the Cardinals’ top-of-the-order table-setter. Nolan Gorman is the leading internal candidate to take over at third base, if Wetherholt opens the year back at Triple-A Memphis, though his persistent struggles against left-handed pitching remain an obstacle to everyday at-bats.

The flaw of arbitration is that you can be a pretty terrible player otherwise, but if you hit homers, you’ll get paid. Gorman, who was eligible for arbitration, was decent enough in 2023, but he’s hit .204/.284/.385 with a 36% strikeout rate and bad defense in 218 games the last two years. He’ll probably get another long look this season, assuming that the Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado and/or Brendan Donovan, but José Fermín and Thomas Saggese both project as better players at this point and top prospect JJ Wetherholt could crash the party soon.

As expected, Donovan will remain on the bench for St. Louis’ final two regular-season contests this weekend against the division-rival Cubs following their official elimination from playoff contention. The 28-year-old, who has been battling a lingering groin issue throughout the second half, put together one of the strongest seasons of his career, despite being limited to just 118 games due to injury. It’ll be righty-masher Nolan Gorman getting some additional run at the keystone to close out the regular season.

Nolan Gorman was taken out of the official lineup so that Arenado could be celebrated in what’s probably his final home game in St. Louis, but Gorman was inserted right away when play began. That the Cardinals went this route suggests Arenado has softened on his no-trade stance with two years left on his deal. The Cardinals tried dealing him last winter, but he used his no-trade powers to turn down a deal to Houston.

Nootbaar has been a fixture in the Cardinals’ lineup over the past few weeks, so he has certainly earned a night off. Alec Burleson will move out to left field to cover for him while Nolan Gorman will draw a start at first base and bat sixth for the Cardinals against Brewers’ right-hander Chad Patrick.

Gorman last sat on Aug. 12. Alas, he didn’t much take advantage of his opportunity to be a lineup fixture during Arenado’s absence, hitting just .198/.298/.351 with five homers in 38 games since his own return from the injured list on Aug. 1. After following up a promising 2023 with two seasons as essentially a replacement-level performer, he’s not someone who should be penciled into the Cardinals’ 2026 lineup.

The Cardinals don’t need Arenado back at this point, but it could be easier to find a taker for him this winter if he shows he’s healthy these last two weeks. He also might be more inclined to accept a trade if the Cardinals tell him he’ll be a part-timer next year if he sticks around. Arenado has hit .235/.294/.366 with 10 homers and 43 RBI in 394 plate appearances this season. His return probably means less playing time for Nolan Gorman, but Gorman figures to get some starts at first and second to make up for some of what he loses at third.

Contereras won’t play again until Tuesday. With Alec Burleson on the IL, no one currently on the Cardinals’ active roster has started a game at first base this season. Nolan Gorman, though, has worked out at the position. He and Yohel Pozo could see starts there.

Injuries to Nolan Arenado and Brandon Donovan have really opened the door for Gorman and Thomas Saggese here, but the current results aren’t providing a lot of hope that either will be a quality regular for the Cardinals next season. Gorman’s power just doesn’t quite make up for his inability to hit for average and his mediocre defense. He’s batting .214/.313/.396. Saggese, who committed two errors today, is hitting .254/.296/.333 in 204 plate appearances.