St. Louis Cardinals claim Jorge Alcala

The St. Louis Cardinals have claimed RHP Jorge Alcala off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox. Alcala, 30, is currently 0-2 with a 6.64 ERA, 41 games, 2 holds, 40.2 innings, 46 strikeouts, 23 walks, and a whip of 1.75 combined between the Minnestoa Twins and Red Sox in 2025. 

Alcala had his best season in 2021. That season, Alcala was 3-6 with a 3.92 ERA, 59 games, 11 holds, 1 save, 59.2 innings, 61 strikeouts, 13 walks, and a whip of 0.97. The games, save, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Alcala. 

In 2024, Alcala had career highs in both wins (4) and holds (16). 

Overall, Alcala is currently in his 7th MLB season. Alcala is 9-13 with a 4.24 ERA, 185 games, 31 holds, 1 save, 204 innings, 211 strikeouts, 77 walks, and a whip of 1.22. 

Alcala has pretty good swing and miss stuff and was a reliable reliever until this season. If Alcala were to do well for the Cardinals, they could keep him through arbitration for 2026. 
 

St. Louis Cardinals trade Phil Maton

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded RHP Phil Maton to the Texas Rangers for starting pitcher Mason Molina, RHP Skylar Hales, and international slot money. Maton, 32, is currently 1-3 with a 2.35 ERA, 40 games, 20 holds, 2 saves, 38.1 innings, 48 strikeouts, 15 walks, and a whip of 1.12. The holds are a career high for Maton. The ERA is currently a career best for Maton. 

Maton had his best season in 2021, combined between the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros. That season, Maton was 6-0 with a 4.73 ERA, 65 games, 1 start, 5 holds, 66.2 innings, 85 strikeouts, 32 walks, and a whip of 1.46. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Maton. Maton also helped the Astros win the World Series. 

In 2024, combined between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets, Maton had a career high (3) saves.

Overall, Maton is currently in his 9th MLB season. Maton is 20-18 with a 4.01 ERA, 455 games, 1 start, 84 holds, 7 saves, 449.1 innings, 506 strikeouts, 175 walks, and a whip of 1.28. 

Molina, 22, is currently 3-5 with a 3.41 ERA, 18 games, 17 starts, 74 innings, 92 strikeouts, 28 walks, and a whip of 1.12 combined between Low-A Hickory and High-A Hub City in 2025. 

Molina ranked as the Rangers 27th best prospect. 

Overall, Molina is currently in his 2nd minor league season. Molina is 3-5 with a 3.19 ERA, 20 games, 19 starts, 79 innings, 98 strikeouts, 29 walks, and a whip of 1.11.

Hales, 23, is currently 1-5 with a 7.64 ERA, 34 games, 3 holds, 5 saves, 33 innings, 40 strikeouts, 14 walks, and a whip of 1.33 combined between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock in 2025. 

Hales had his best season in 2024, combined between High-A Hickory and Double-A Frisco. That season, Hales was 4-0 with a 3.18 ERA, 44 games, 8 holds, 10 saves, 56.2 innings, 66 strikeouts, 17 walks, and a whip of 1.15. The wins, games, holds, saves, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Hales. The ERA was also career best for Hales. 

Hales ranked as the Rangers 28th best prospect. 

Overall, Hales is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Hales is 5-6 with a 4.75 ERA, 85 games, 11 holds, 15 saves, 100.1 innings, 117 strikeouts, 33 walks, and a whip of 1.17.

The Rangers add a good bullpen arm in Maton. The Cardinals upgrade their farm system and get more pitching as they did in their trade with the New York Mets on Wednesday night. 

St. Louis Cardinals trade Steven Matz

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded LHP Steven Matz to the Boston Red Sox for first baseman/third baseman Blaze Jordan. Matz, 34, is currently 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA, 32 games, 2 starts, 7 holds, 1 save, 55 innings, 47 strikeouts, 9 walks, and a whip of 1.18. The holds and save are both career strikeouts for Matz. Left-handed hitters have hit .179 against Matz this season. 

Matz had his best season in 2021, with the Toronto Blue Jays. That season, Matz was 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA, 29 games, 29 starts, 150.2 innings, 144 strikeouts, 43 walks, and a whip of 1.33.

In 2018, with the New York Mets, Matz had a career high (30) starts. 

Matz had career highs in games (32), complete games (1), shutouts (1), innings (160.1), and strikeouts (153) in 2019. 

Overall, Matz is currently in is 11th MLB season. Matz is 60-62 with a 4.24 ERA, 225 games, 172 starts, 10 holds, 1 save, 982.2 innings, 928 strikeouts, 289 walks, and a whip of 1.32. 

Jordan, 22, is currently hitting .304 with 59 runs, 96 hits, 22 doubles, 1triple, 12 home runs, 61 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 33 walks combined between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2025. 

Jordan had his best season in 2023, combined between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland. That season, Jordan hit .296 with 67 runs, 141 hits, 32 doubles, 1 triple, 18 home runs, 86 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 40 walks. The runs, hits, doubles, home runs, and RBI's were all career highs for Jordan. 

In 2022, Jordan had career highs triples (3), stolen bases (5), and walks (48). 

Jordan ranked as the Red Sox 17th best prospect. 

Overall, Jordan is currently in his 5th minor league season. Jordan has played 446 games with 240 runs, 497 hits, 114 doubles, 7 triples, 55 home runs, 302 RBI's, 13 stolen bases, 147 walks, and a .290 batting average. 
 
The Red Sox get a good pitcher in Matz, who they can use in a swingman role if they want to. The Cardinals used Matz as a multi-inning setup man. In Jordan, the Cardinals get a potential power hitter, which was something they needed. 

If anyone wants to know something interesting: Jordan was drafted in 2020 under Chaim Bloom, who will replace John Mozeliak as president of baseball operations after this season. 

St. Louis Cardinals trade Ryan Helsley

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded closer Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets for starting pitcher Nate Dohm, RHP Frank Elissalt, shortstop/third baseman Jesus Baez. Helsley, 31, is currently 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA, 36 games, 21 saves, 36 innings, 41 strikeouts, 14 walks, and a whip of 1.39.

Helsley had been an All-Star 2 times: (2022, and 2024). 

Helsley had his best season in 2024. That season, Helsley was 7-4 with a 2.04 ERA, 65 games, 49 saves, 66.1 innings, 79 strikeouts, 23 walks, and a whip of 1.10. The wins, games, saves, and innings were all career highs for Helsley. The saves also set a single-season franchise record and led the MLB. Helsey also won NL Reliever of the Year. 

In 2021, Helsley had a career high (10) holds. 

Helsley had a career high (94) strikeouts in 2022. 

Overall, Helsley is currently in his 7th MLB season. Helsley is 31-15 with a 2.67 ERA, 22 holds, 105 saves, 299.2 innings, 355 strikeouts, 121 walks, and a whip of 1.13. 

Dohm, 22, is currently 3-5 with a 2.87 ERA, 18 games, 17 starts, 62.2 innings, 77 strikeouts, 23 walks, and a whip of 1.26 combined between Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brookyln in 2025. 

Dohm was a 3rd-round pick in June 2024, out of Mississippi State. Dohm ranked as the Mets 14th best prospect. 

Overall, Dohm is currently in his 1st minor league season. 

Elissalt, 23, currently is 4-5 with a 3.04 ERA, 20 games, 7 starts, 3 holds, 56.1 innings, 65 strikeouts, and 21 walks combined between Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brookyln in 2025. The wins, games, starts, holds, innings, and strikeouts are all career highs for Elissalt. 

In 2024, Elissalt had a career high (1) save. 

Overall, Elissalt is currently in his 2nd minor league season. Elissalt is 4-5 with a 3.02 ERA, 21 games, 7 starts, 3 holds, 1 save, 56.2 innings, 66 strikeouts, 21 walks, and a whip of 0.99.

Baez, 20, is currently hitting .242 with 46 runs, 67 hits, 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 42 RBI's, 7 stolen bases, and 35 walks combined between Single-A St. Lucie and High-A Brookyln in 2025. 

Baez ranked as the Mets 8th best prospect. 

Overall, Baez is currently in his 4th minor league season. Baez has played 241 games with 143 runs, 215 hits, 46 doubles, 2 triples, 30 home runs, 136 hits, 29 stolen bases, 107 walks, and a .243 batting average.
 
The Cardinals got a great heist from the Mets for Helsley, who could be a free agent after the season. The prospects will help revamp the Cardinals' minor league system, which has been a big need.

Fans might hate Helsley being traded, but it helps the Cardinals' future. There's also a chance that Helsley could return to the Cardinals as a free agent. Helsley has said he'd be open to returning to the Cardinals as a free agent if traded. 

St. Louis Cardinals trade Erick Fedde

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded starting pitcher Erick Fedde and cash ($2.7 million, which covers the rest of Fedde's $7.5 million) to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations or a player to be named later. Fedde, 32, is currently 3-10 with a 5.22 ERA, 20 games, 20 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 101.2 innings, 63 strikeouts, 47 walks, and a whip of 1.50 in 2025. The complete game and shutout are both career highs for Fedde. 

Fedde had his best season in 2024, combined between the Chicago White Sox and Cardinals. That season, Fedde was 9-9 with a 3.30 ERA, 31 games, 31 starts, 177.1 innings, 154 strikeouts, and 52 walks. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Fedde. Fedde also had a career high 13 quality starts.

The Cardinals designated Fedde for assignment on July 23, 2025. 

Overall, Fedde is currently in his 8th MLB season. Fedde is 33-52 with a 4.87 ERA, 153 games, 139 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 733.1 innings, 569 strikeouts, 290 walks, and a whip of 1.43. 

The Braves hope Fedde can give their starting rotation innings and get his season turned around a tiny bit. 

St. Louis Blues sign Pius Suter

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed free agent center Pius Suter to a two-year contract, worth $8.25 million. Suter, 29, played 81 games with 25 goals, 21 assists, 46 points, and a plus 2 with the Vancouver Canucks in 2024-2025. The goals and points were both career highs for Suter. The assists tied a career high from 2021-2022. 

Overall, Suter has played 5 NHL seasons. Suter has played 364 games with 82 goals, 80 assists, and 162 points. In the playoffs, Suter has played 13 games with 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, and a plus 2. 

Suter gives the Blues a solid 3rd line center who could move up the 2nd line at times. Suter is also a low-risk, high-reward signing. 

The Blues roster so far looks like it's improved. 

St. Louis Blues acquire Logan Mailloux

 

The St. Louis Blues have traded center Zack Bolduc to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Logan Mailloux. Mailloux, 22, played 7 games with 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, and a -5 in 2024-2025. The games, goals, assists, and points were all career highs for Mailloux.

In the AHL, with Laval Rocket, Mailloux played 63 games with 12 goals, 21 assists, 33 points, and a plus 5. In the playoffs, Mailloux played 13 games with 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points, and a -7.

Overall, Mailloux has played 2 NHL seasons. Mailloux has played 8 games with 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, and a -4. 

Bolduc, 22, played 72 games with 19 goals, 17 assists, 36 points, and a plus 20 in 2024-2025. The games, goals, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Bolduc. 

Overall, Bolduc has played 2 NHL seasons. Bolduc has played 97 games with 24 goals, 21 assists, 45 points, and a plus 20. In the playoffs, Bolduc has played 7 games with 1 assist, 1 point, and a -1. 

The Blues lose a good played in Bolduc, but they get a player who has potential to become better in Mailloux. The Blues also needed a right-handed shooting defenseman. Blues general manager Doug Armstrong thinks that Mailloux can be a top 4 defenseman. It's also good that Blues head coach Jim Montgomery is good at developing younger players. On paper this trade could be good for both teams. 

St. Louis Blues sign Nick Bjugstad

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed center Nick Bjugstad to a two-year contract, worth $3.5 million. Bjugstad, 32, played 66 games with 8 goals, 11 assists, 19 points, and a -2 with the Utah Mammoth in 2024-2025. 

Bjugstad had his best season in 2017-2018, with the Florida Panthers. That season, Bjugstad played 82 games with 19 goals, 30 assists, 49 points, and a plus 5. The games, assists, and points were all career highs for Bjugstad. 

In 2022-2023, Bjugstad had a career high (22) goals. 

Overall, Bjugstad has played 13 NHL seasons. Bjugstad has played 760 games with 157 goals, 173 assists, 330 points, and a -15. In the playoffs, Bjugstad has played 27 games with 6 goals, 2 assists, 8 points, and a plus 1. 

Bjugstad should be able to help the Blues at center. Bjugstad adds some size to the roster. The signing of Bjugstad probably means the end of center Radek Faksa. 

St. Louis Blues extend Joel Hofer

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed goalie Joel Hofer to a two-year contract extension, worth $6.8 million. Hofer, 24, played 31 games, with 28 starts, and was 16-8-3 with 1 shutout, a .904 save percentage, and a 2.64 goals-against average. The game, starts, and wins were all career highs for Hofer. The shutout tied a career high from 2023-2024. 

Overall, Hofer has played 4 NHL seasons. Hofer has played 69 games, with 63 starts and is 35-22-5 with 2 shutouts, a .907 save percentage, and a 2.71 goals-against average. 

It's good to see the Blues get Hofer signed to a new contract. Hofer has developed into a solid backup goalie behind Jordan Binnington. 

St. Louis Cardinals sign Phil Maton

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RHP Phil Maton to a one-year contract, worth $2 million. Maton, 31, was 3-3 with a 3.66 ERA, 71 games, 18 holds, 3 saves, 64 innings, 60 strikeouts, and 24 walks combined between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets. The games, holds, and saves were all career highs for Maton. 

In 2021, combined between the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros, Maton had a career high (85) strikeouts. 

Maton helped the Astros win the World Series in 2022. 

In 2023, Maton had a career high (66) innings. 

Overall, Maton has played 8 seasons in the MLB. Maton is 19-15 with a 4.16 ERA, 1 start, 64 holds, 5 saves, 411 innings, 458 strikeouts, 160 walks, and a whip of 1.29.

To make room on the 40-man roster the Cardinals have designated LHP Bailey Horn for assignment. 

Maton will replace Andrew Kittredge (who signed with the Baltimore Orioles, earlier in the offseason) as a setup man for closer Ryan Helsley. 

The Cardinals had interest in Maton last offseason before he signed with the Rays. 

Maton should be a good addition for the Cardinals bullpen.

St. Louis Cardinals 2025 Season Preview

 

Offseason additions: RHP Roddery Munoz, RHP Jawilme Ramirez, LHP Oddanier Mosqueda, LHP Bailey Horn, LHP Rob Kaminsky, RHP Zack Weiss, C Yohel Pozo, INF/OF Jose Barrero, OF Michael Helman, OF Ryan Vilade, and Miguel Ugueto.

Offseason subtractions: SP Lance Lynn, SP Kyle Gibson, RHP Andrew Kittredge, RHP Keynan Middleton, RHP Nick Robertson, RHP Adam Kloffenstein, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, and 1B/DH Matt Carpenter. 

Point team prediction: 70-80 wins (3rd place in NL Central). 

The win total can always change if the team plays above their heads like they did at times last season or if the offense hits better in 2025. To me I'm not worried much about the pitching. It's offense that is the concern. The Cardinals decided to hit a reset to try to get player development fixed. For whatever reason, the Cardinals front office has ignored player development for the past several seasons. Other MLB teams jumped ahead of the Cardinals in player development the Cardinals fell behind. It's nice to see the Cardinals finally trying to fix player development. It might take a few years, but the good thing is they have some good prospects already in the system. On paper the new guys coming in, should help get player development fixed. 

After 2025, Chaim Bloom will replace John Mozeliak as President of Baseball Operations. The Cardinals brought in Rob Cerfolio (from the Cleveland Guardians) to be Assistant General Manager, Player Development, and Perormance, Matt Piperpoont (from the Seattle Mariners) to be Director of Pitching, Larry Day (from the Cleveland Guardians) to be Director of Player Development, and Carl Kochan (from the Los Angeles Dodgers) to be Director of Performance. 

On the minor league side, the Cardinals brought in four coaches, only one of them is familiar with the organization. Those coaches are Ryan Barba (from the San Diego Padres) as Minor League Field Coordinator, Jose Leger (who managed the Springfield Cardinals for four seasons (2021-2024) as Assistant Minor League Field Coordinator, Austin Meine (from the Baltimore Orioles) as Minor League Pitching Coordinator, and Ethan Goforth (from the Pittsburgh Pirates) as Minor League Catching Coordinator. 

Brant Brown is the Cardinals new hitting coach and has had success before going to the Seattle Mariners. In Seattle, the Mariners had Brown as bench coach and offensive coordinator. Brown was doing two different jobs. Could that be why the Mariners offense wasn't good under Brown? Keep in mind the Mariners have had offense problems for a while. They keep letting go of different hitting coach. 

Jon Jay is back on the Cardinals coaching staff as the first base coach and working with outfielders. Willie McGee moved into a front office role (his decision). McGee will still be around at times and be able to go help outfielders out in the Cardinals minor leagues. 

To me fans should just try to watch and hope the younger players improve. Don't expect much of anything this season. If the younger players improve, then Bloom will be able to decide what should happen in 2026. Fans be glad that the Cardinals didn't go out and get stuck in another bad contact. It helps Bloom a lot after 2025 with two bad contracts gone in Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz. Erick Fedde and Ryan Helsley can also be free agents. Do the Cardinals try to trade Fedde and Matz during the season? Mikolas has a no-trade clause, so the other two would be easier to trade. Do the Cardinals trade Helsley during the season or decide to sign him to a contract extension?

Does Nolan Arenado get traded during the season? I think he could, if he does well. To me he needs to do well for more teams to really want him. If Arenado does get traded, that also helps give more playing time to one of the younger players. What if Arenado does well and the Cardinals do well? That would be great for everyone. Just things to think about. I don't think the Cardinals do well this season, but we all can be wrong at time. 

Starting rotation:

Sonny Gray, Erick Fedde, Miles Mikolas, Andre Pallante, and Matthew Liberatore.

Bullpen:

Ryan Helsley, JoJo Romero, John King, Steven Matz (long man, if the Cardinals were to do this), Gordon Graceffo, Ryan Fernandez, Chris Roycroft, and Riley O'Brien.

Lineup:

2B Brendan Donovan, LF Lars Nootbaar, 1B Willson Contreras, DH Alec Burleson, C Ivan Herrera, 3B Nolan Arenado, RF Jordan Walker, SS Maysn Winn, and CF Victor Scott.

Bench:

C Pedro Pages, INF/OF Jose Barrero, 2B/3B Nolan Gorman, and OF Michael Siani. 

Fantasy Stud:

Ryan Helsley

Prospects to watch:

Quinn Mathews, Jimmy Crooks, and JJ Wetherholt.

St. Louis Blues extend Tyler Tucker

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed defenseman Tyler Tucker to a two-year contract extension, worth $1.85 million. Tucker, 24, currently has played 20 games with 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, and a -1 in 2024-2025. The goals are a career high for Tucker. 

Tucker also has spilt time in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds this season. In the AHL, Tucker has played 19 games with 4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points, and a plus 6.

In 2022-2023, Tucker had career highs in games (26), assists (3), and points (4). 

Overall, Tucker is currently in his 3rd NHL season. Tucker has played 72 games with 4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points, and a -9. 

The contract is a good deal for both sides. Tucker is a young and physical defenseman. If Tucker can improve over the next two seasons, he can earn a bigger contract.