Sep 6, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito (54) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images

Two Last-Second Predictions as Cardinals Wrap Up Offseason

Originally posted on St. Louis Cardinals on SI
By Patrick McAvoy | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 10:24 PM ET

The St. Louis Cardinals will kick off Spring Training next and fortunately, the club doesn't have a lot of moves left that they need to make.

Chaim Bloom has taken care of business. The Cardinals traded Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan brought back a handful of prospects and opened up space for the young guys on the roster to have consistent opportunities, like potentially JJ Wetherholt.

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The Cardinals arguably are very close to completing a near-perfect offseason. It's not ideal for any club to ever have to trade a few of their veterans, but the Cardinals have needed to rebuild and it is exactly what the team has done. With that being said, there is a bit left to do.

The Cardinals have work to do

Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Here are two last-second predictions for the Cardinals:

Cardinals sign one more veteran starter (Lucas Giolito)
St. Louis is loaded with pitching, but there isn't a starting pitcher on the roster who is 30 years old at the moment. With all of the young guys, it wouldn't hurt to add one more starter with experience to then try to flip at the trade deadline. Lucas Giolito springs to mind. There's no reason why he is still available. He's 31 years old and had a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts in 2025 for the Boston Red Sox. The Cardinals are loaded with young guys, but it would be nice to bring someone in, like Giolito, to show them the ropes.

Cardinals add one more right-handed bat (Randal Grichuk)
The Cardinals have been open about a need for one more right-handed bat. It makes sense with Arenado and Contreras out the door. With Lars Nootbaar up in the air for Opening Day, it specifically makes sense to go after an outfielder. Randal Grichuk has experience playing in St. Louis and is a career .251 hitter with 212 homers. At this point in the offseason, you really can't ask for much more.

This article first appeared on St. Louis Cardinals on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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