Cardinals Will Explore Trades For Catching Depth
The St. Louis front office is looking to trade catchers this offseason to bolster the team's pitching roster.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Baseball
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Following a 77-85 record in 2026, the St. Louis Cardinals will evaluate trade possibilities for catchers Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pages, and Jimmy Crooks. The team aims to utilize its surplus depth at the position to acquire needed pitching talent during the 2026-2027 offseason.
Why it matters
The organization is recalibrating its roster after Leo Bernal emerged as a primary option behind the plate last season. Trading established depth could provide the team with the necessary assets to upgrade its pitching rotation.
Ivan Herrera, 26, recorded 19 home runs and 69 RBI with a .735 OPS during the 2026 season. This followed a 2025 campaign where he registered an .837 OPS.
The players
Ivan Herrera
He is a 26-year-old catcher who was named an All-Star in 2026.
Leo Bernal
He emerged as a primary catching option for the team during the 2026 season.
Alec Burleson
He led Major League Baseball with 116 RBI during the 2026 regular season.
Pedro Pages
He is a catcher currently on the St. Louis roster being evaluated for potential trades.
Jimmy Crooks
He is a catcher currently in the organization who is part of the team's trade exploration.
The details
The front office plans to engage in discussions with other clubs throughout the winter to determine potential returns for its trio of catchers. This strategy follows a season where Alec Burleson led Major League Baseball with 116 RBI, though the team finished with a sub-.500 record.
Timeline
In 2025, Ivan Herrera maintained an .837 OPS.
During the 2026 season, the Cardinals finished with a 77-85 record.
The team will explore trade options throughout the 2026-2027 offseason.
Season Trajectory
The Cardinals are looking to address a competitive gap that resulted in a losing 2026 season by leveraging their positional depth. This move aims to reshape the team's roster construction to better compete in the upcoming campaign.
The move suggests a clear commitment to Leo Bernal as the primary starter, likely limiting the available plate appearances for other catchers. Trading these assets for pitching could significantly alter the team's defensive and bullpen outlook for the 2027 season.
The takeaway
The Cardinals are prioritizing pitching acquisitions by utilizing their surplus catching talent as trade capital. Fans should monitor the winter meetings for developments as the team attempts to improve upon its 2026 record.
Further reading
For more on roster shifts, visit the St. Louis Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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