Dustin May (85) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at Fenway Park. Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Dustin May could find his form again with the Cardinals

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Dec 13, 2025 5:21 PM ET

Heading into 2026, the St. Louis Cardinals will seemingly take a further step back, as they did in 2025, when they finished fourth in the National League Central with a 78-84 record.

Looking to shed salary, which could come in the form of trading third baseman Nolan Arenado, who has $31 million remaining on his deal, the Cardinals have already shed salary by trading right-hander Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox.

Trading Gray gave the Cardinals some payroll flexibility, but it also depleted their starting rotation, which now lacks a veteran presence and is somewhat inexperienced. To counter this trend, the Cardinals and right-hander Dustin May are finalizing a deal pending a physical, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

May, who will enter his age-28 season, pitched for the first time in two years in 2025 after missing all of 2024 due to an arm injury and a torn esophagus. Splitting time between the reigning World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Red Sox, May went 7-11 with a 4.96 ERA and struck out a career high 123 batters in 132.1 innings (also a career high).

Right-hander Dustin May and the St. Louis Cardinals are in agreement on a free agent contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 13, 2025

The Cardinals' adding Dustin May gives them a veteran presence in their starting staff

After trading Gray, right-hander Kyle Leahy (28) became the oldest member of the starting staff. Though May is the same age as Leahy and most of the Cardinals' starting staff, he has the most experience in the big leagues (six seasons).

Still finding his way back from his arm injury and the torn esophagus, signing May could wind up working in the Cardinals' favor, as the former third-round pick (2016) has shown the ability to be a low-end No. 2 starter, having three seasons producing an ERA in the 2.00s, or a high-quality No. 3. May could also potentially work his way into the bullpen if a team sees fit, as he has the stuff capable of being a high-leverage reliever.

With pitching coming at a premium this offseason, the Cardinals could wind up getting good value in a trade if May lives up to the potential the Dodgers saw in him.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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