Cardinals Eye Ryan Mountcastle as Offensive Depth

St. Louis is reportedly weighing a left-handed bat from the former Orioles slugger to help against lefties during its rebuild.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball

Cardinals Eye Ryan Mountcastle as Offensive Depth

The Cardinals may pursue former Orioles slugger Ryan Mountcastle as offensive depth, according to a report from The Athletic's Jim Bowden. The team is rebuilding and is reportedly looking for a left-handed hitting infielder.

Why it matters

Alec Burleson posted a .548 OPS against left-handed pitchers this season, leaving a clear platoon need. Mountcastle, who hit 33 home runs for Baltimore in 2021, is a possible one-year fit for at-bats against southpaws.

Mountcastle's 2021 power output (33 home runs) contrasts sharply with his injury-limited eight-game appearance last season, leaving his current health and form as the key unknown for any roster decision.

The players

Ryan Mountcastle

Former Baltimore Orioles first baseman and outfielder who hit 33 home runs in 2021 and has been limited by injuries since.

Alec Burleson

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder and first baseman who led Major League Baseball with over 100 RBI, though he struggled against left-handed pitching this season.

Jim Bowden

Baseball insider and reporter for The Athletic who covers MLB transactions and team-building news.

The details

Bowden reports the Cardinals have a left-handed hitting infielder on their radar and would consider a one-year deal for Mountcastle to take at-bats against left-handed pitching. Luis Arraez, also a left-handed hitting infielder, is available in free agency.

2021: Mountcastle hit 33 home runs with the Orioles.
This past season: Mountcastle appeared in eight games due to injuries.
A few weeks before the lockout: The Cardinals have time to find the right fit.

Season Trajectory

The Cardinals' rebuild is focused on becoming a future contender rather than competing immediately, so a one-year platoon bat would address a present weakness without committing long-term payroll. How the club handles left-handed pitching will shape how quickly its young core can contend.

For St. Louis fans tracking the lineup, a Mountcastle signing would mostly affect late-inning and platoon matchups rather than everyday starting roles. Fantasy managers should watch whether he earns regular at-bats against left-handed starters.

The takeaway

Teams rebuilding around young cores often fill platoon gaps with inexpensive veterans to keep games competitive. Watching how the Cardinals address left-handed pitching will show how they balance development with short-term needs.