St. Louis Cardinals acquire George Soriano

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded RHP Andre Granillo to the Washington Nationals for RHP George Soriano. Granillo, 25, was 1-0 with a 4.71 ERA, 14 games, 1 save, 21 innings, 18 strikeouts, 7 walks, and a whip of 1.18 in in 2025. Granillo made his MLB debut on June 12, 2025, at American Family Field against the Milwaukee Brewers. 

In Triple-A Memphis, Granillo was 5-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 29 games, 4 holds, 2 saves, 42 innings, 58 strikeouts, 14 walks, and a whip of 0.83 in 2025.

Granillo had his best season in 2024, combined between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis. That season, Granillo has 8-2 with a 3.88 ERA, 48 games, 5 holds, 5 saves, 65 innings, 80 strikeouts, 41 walks, and a whip of 1.26. The wins and holds were both career highs for Granillo. 

In 2023, combined between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis, Granillo had career highs in games (53), saves (14), innings (68.1), and strikeouts (89). 

Overall, Granillo has played 5 minor league seasons. Granillo is 22-15 with a 3.55 ERA, 183 games, 13 holds, 31 saves, 245.2 innings, 332 strikeouts, 132 walks, and a whip of 1.22.

Soriano, 26, was 2-0 with a 8.35 ERA, 24 games, 1 save, 36,2 innings, 36 strikeouts, 19 walks, and a whip of 1.77 with the Miami Marlins in 2025. The wins were a career high for Soriano. 

In Triple-A Jacksonville, Soriano was 4-1 with a 2.32 ERA, 29 games, 1 start, 4 holds, 2 saves, 42.2 innings, 49 strikeouts, 15 walks, and a whip of 0.98.

Soriano had his best MLB season in 2023. That season, Soriano was 0-0 with a 3.81 ERA, 26 games, 1 start, 1 save, 52 innings, 52 strikeouts, 23 walks, and a whip of 1.33. The games, start, save, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Soriano. 

In 2024, Soriano had a career high (2) holds. 

Overall, Soriano has played 3 MLB seasons. Soriano is 3-1 with a 5.95 ERA, 72 games, 1 start, 2 holds, 3 saves, 118 innings, 117 strikeouts, 55 walks, and a whip of 1.47.

Overall, in the minors, Soriano has played 8 seasons. Soriano is 23-25 with a 3.40 ERA, 179 games, 62 starts, 2 complete games, 1 shutout, 17 holds, 16 saves, 490 innings, 510 strikeouts, 210 walks, and a whip of 1.27.

Soriano is a cousin of former MLB outfielder/second baseman Alfonso Soriano.

On paper, Soriano and Granillo are pretty similar if you compare their minor league numbers. Soriano seems to have the higher upside than Granillo does, but he needs to improve his command. 

St. Louis Cardinals sign Justin Militello

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RHP Justin Militello to a two-year minor league contract. Militello, 22, was 2-5 with a 5.86 ERA, 15 games, 7 starts, 43 innings, 44 strikeouts, 28 walks, and a whip of 1.26 combined between the FCL Braves and Low-A Augusta in 2025. The wins tied a career from 2024 for Militello. The games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career high for Militello. 

After being released, Militello signed with the Lake County DuckHounds of the American Association. Militello was 0-0 with a 19.29 ERA, 3 games, 2.1 innings, 5 walks, and 1 strikeout. 

Overall, Militello has played 2 minor league seasons. Militello is 4-10 with a 7.71 ERA, 27 games, 12 starts, 74.2 innings, 68 strikeouts, 55 walks, and a whip of 1.06. 

The Atlanta Braves signed Militello in 2022 as an undrafted free agent out of high school. 

The Cardinals have assigned Militello to High-A Peoria. 

Militello throws hard but needs to improve his control. Militello can reach 95 miles per hour with the fastball. 

Militello seems to be a low-risk high reward type of signing. 

 

St. Louis Blues claim Jack Finley

 

The St. Louis Blues have claimed center Jack Finley off of waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Finley, 23, currently has played 22 games with 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, and a plus 2 in 2025-2026. The games, goals, assist, and plus mark are all career highs for Finley. 

In the AHL, with the Syracuse Crunch, Finley has played 3 games with 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 2025-2026.

Finley had career highs in both assists (13) and points (32) in 2023-2024. 

In 2024-2025, Finley had a career high (14) goals. 

Overall, in the AHL, Finley has played 5 seasons. Finley has played 164 games with 40 goals, 44 assists, 84 points, and a plus 13.

Overall, Finley is currently in his 2nd NHL season. Finley has played 23 games with 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, and a plus 3.

Finley was drafted by the Lightning in the 2nd-round (57th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft. Finley is the son of former Blues defenseman Jeff Finley. Finley's dad played 6 seasons with the Blues (1999-2004). Jack was also born in St. Louis. 

Finley could have upside in him he gets ice time. Finley had trouble getting ice time with the Lightning.

St. Louis Cardinals claim Bryan Ramos

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have claimed third baseman Bryan Ramos off of waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Ramos, 23, hit .167 with 1 run, 2 hits, 2 doubles, 2 RBI's, and 4 walks with the Chicago White Sox in 2025. 

In Triple-A Charlotte, Ramos hit .216 with 60 runs, 80 hits, 17 doubles, 1 triple, 16 home runs, 51 RBI's, 13 stolen bases, and 42 walks in 2025. The stolen bases tied a career high from 2021. 

Ramos had his best season in 2022, combined between High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham. That season, Ramos hit .266 with 72 runs, 123 hits, 19 doubles, 1 triple, 22 home runs, 86 RBI's, 1 stolen base, and 45 walks. The batting average, runs, hits, home runs, and RBI's were all career highs for Ramos. 

In 2021, with Single-A Kannapolis, Ramos had career highs in doubles (23), triples (6), and walks (51).

Ramos had his best MLB season in 2024. That season, Ramos hit .202 with 13 runs, 20 hits, 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 11 RBI's, and 7 walks. 

Overall, in the MLB, Ramos has played 2 seasons. Ramos has played 36 games with 14 runs, 22 hits, 6 doubles, 3 home runs, 13 RBI's, 7 walks, and a .198 batting average.

Overall, in the minors, Ramos has played 6 seasons. Ramos has played 560 games with 324 runs, 521 hits, 97 doubles, 11 triples, 80 home runs, 314 RBI's, 42 stolen bases, 226 walks, and a .249 batting average. 

Could there be higher potential in Ramos? Ramos ranked as the White Sox 3rd-best prospect in 2024. 

Ramos hits right-handed, which could help him if he does well in spring training. Ramos is out of minor league options. 

St. Louis Cardinals trade Brendan Donovan

The St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays have completed a three-team trade. The Cardinals are sending second baseman/leftfielder Brendan Donovan to the Mariners. The Mariners are sending starting pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, outfielder Tai Peete, and a competitive balance round B draft pick (no.68 overall) to the Cardinals. The Rays are sending outfielder Colton Ledbetter, and a competitive balance round B draft pick (no.72 overall) to the Cardinals. The Mariners are sending third baseman Ben Williamson to the Rays. 

Donovan, 29, hit .287 with 64 runs, 132 hits, 32 doubles, 10 home runs, 50 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 42 walks in 2025. Donovan also was an All-Star for the 1st time in his career in 2025. 

Donovan won a Gold Glove Award in 2022. 

Donovan had his best season in 2024. That season, Donovan hit .278 with 65 runs, 163 hits, 34 doubles, 3 triples, 14 home runs, 73 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and 47 walks. The runs hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI's, and walks were all career highs for Donovan. The stolen bases tied a career high from 2024 for Donovan. 

Overall, Donovan has played 4 MLB seasons. Donovan has played 492 games with 241 runs, 498 hits, 97 doubles, 5 triples, 40 home runs, 202 RBI's, 15 stolen bases, 182 walks, and a .282 batting average. 

Cijntje, 22, was 5-7 with a 3.99 ERA, 26 games, 23 starts, 108.1 innings, 120 strikeouts, 51 walks, and a whip of 1.22 combined between High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas in 2025. 

Cijntje is a switch-pitcher (can throw both left-handed and right-handed). 

Cijntje ranked as the Mariners' 7th-best prospect. 

Overall, Cijntje has played 1 minor league season.

Peete, 20, hit .217 with 58 runs, 103 hits, 24 doubles, 19 home runs, 63 RBI's, 25 stolen bases, and 46 walks with High-A Everett in 2025. The home runs were career highs for Peete. 

Peete had his best season in 2024, with Single-A Modesto. That season, Peete hit .269 with 72 runs, 126 hits, 26 doubles, 9 triples, 7 home runs, 71 RBI's, 45 stolen bases, and 55 walks. The runs, hits, doubles, triples, RBI's, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for Peete.

Peete ranked as the Mariners' 11th-best prospect. 

Overall, Peete has played 3 minor league seasons. Peete has played 265 games with 141 runs, 257 hits, 54 doubles, 14 triples, 28 home runs, 154 RBI's, 76 stolen bases, 111 walks, and a .247 batting average.

Ledbetter, 24, hit .265 with 67 runs, 123 hits, 24 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 49 RBI's, 37 stolen bases, and 51 walks with Double-A Montgomery in 2025. The runs, hits, doubles, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for Ledbetter. 

In 2024, with High-A Bowling Green, Ledbetter had career highs in triples (6), home runs (16), and RBI's (65).

Ledbetter ranked as the Rays' 24th-best prospect. 

Overall, Ledbetter has played 3 minor league seasons. Ledbetter has played 253 games with 142 runs, 251 hits, 53 doubles, 10 triples, 25 home runs, 126 RBI's, 74 stolen bases, 99 walks, and a .269 batting average. 

 

Williamson, 25, hit .253 with 36 runs, 70 hits, 13 doubles, 1 home run, 21 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and 15 walks in 2025. Willamson made his MLB debut on April 15, 2025, at Great American Ball Park against the Cincinnati Reds.

Overall, Williamson has played 1 MLB season.

The Cardinals get a pretty good haul of prospects in return for Donovan. Cijntje could end up either as a starting pitcher or reliever. The Cardinals also now have 6 draft picks in this year's MLB draft in the top 100. 

It's good to see Donovan join a team that is ready to win. Donovan should be a good addition for the Mariners lineup.  

St. Louis Blues re-sign Logan Mailloux

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed defenseman Logan Mailloux to a one-year contract extension, worth $850,000. Mailloux, 22, currently has played 31 games with 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, and a -21 in 2025-2026. The games are a career high for Mailloux. 

Mailloux had his best season in 2024-2025, with the Montreal Canadiens. That season, Mailloux played 7 games with 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, and -5. 

Overall, Mailloux is currently in his 3rd NHL season. Mailloux has played 39 games with 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, and -25.

St. Louis Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded third baseman Nolan Arenado, and $31 million to the Arizona Diamondbacks for starting pitcher Jack Martinez. Arenado, 34, hit .237 with 48 runs, 95 hits, 18 doubles, 1 triple, 12 home runs, 52 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 28 walks in 2025. 

Arenado has been an All-Star 8 times: (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023). Arenado has won the Gold Glove Award 10 times: (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022). Arenado has won the Silver Slugger Award 5 times: (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022). Arenado has led the NL in home runs 3 times: (2015, 2016, and 2018). Arenado has also led the NL in RBI's 2 times: (2015 and 2016). 

Arenado had his best season in 2015, with the Colorado Rockies. That season, Arenado hit .287 with 97 runs, 177 hits, 43 doubles, 4 triples, 42 home runs, 130 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 34 walks. The doubles and home runs were both career highs for Arenado. 

In 2016, Arenado had career highs in both runs (116) and RBI's (133). 

Arenado had career highs in both hits (187) and triples (7) in 2017.

In 2018, Arenado had a career high (73) walks. 

Arenado had a career high (5) stolen bases in 2022. 

Overall, Arenado has played 13 MLB seasons. Arenado has played 1,787 games with 992 runs, 1,921 hits, 405 doubles, 34 triples, 353 home runs, 1,184 RBI's, 31 stolen bases, 577 walks, and a .282 batting average. 

Martinez, 22, was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 8th round (243rd overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Arizona State University. Martinez was 6-4 with a 5.94 ERA, 15 games, 15 starts, 77.1 innings, 110 strikeouts, and 33 walks in 2025. The starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Martinez. 

Overall, Martinez has played 4 college seasons. Martinez is 20-8 with a 4.76 ERA, 75 games, 28 starts, 2 saves, 223.1 innings, 287 strikeouts, and 122 walks. 

Martinez can reach 97 miles per hour with his fastball and also had a solid changeup. Martinez also throws a slider (low-80's) and a curve. 

The Diamondbacks get a future Hall of Famer in Arenado. The Cardinals are able to get rid of Arenado's contract, while getting something in return. The Cardinals weren't going to get much of anything bigger for Arenado because he seems to be on the decline. Arenado had a no-trade clause, too, so he controlled which teams he'd approve a trade to. Arenado hasn't been good the last couple of seasons. Arenado also seems to have lost his power. 

In Martinez, the Cardinals get a pitcher who has potential to be a starting pitcher or a reliever. Martinez seems to get strikeouts, too. Will Martinez develop into something bigger? No one knows. But he's an interesting pitcher who could have upside. It's nice to see the Cardinals are getting lots of pitching depth this offseason.