The St. Louis Cardinals kicked off the second half of the 2025 season with a 7-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks — and if you’ve been following this team, you know this isn’t some one-off stinker.
This is more like the latest episode in a frustrating, slow-burning saga that might finally prompt the front office to make a tough but necessary decision: start selling.
The Math Isn’t Lying — But It Isn’t Helping Either
Right now, the Cardinals sit 7.5 games back in the NL Central. That’s not insurmountable, but let’s be real — they’re hanging on by dental floss. Mathematically, they’re not out of the Wild Card picture.
Technically, they’re still in the mix. But even if they sneak into October, are they really going to make a run against teams like the Dodgers, Phillies, Mets, or Tigers? Probably not.
Time to Sell? It’s Looking That Way
St. Louis is stuck at a fork in the road. One path is a long-shot playoff push, and the other is waving the white flag — temporarily — to build for a better tomorrow. And guess what? That second path is looking increasingly like the smart move.
They’ve got trade chips, too. Valuable ones. Ryan Helsley? He’s an All-Star closer with gas and a ticketed ride to a contender’s bullpen. Phil Maton? Solid. Steven Matz? Still draws interest. All three are on expiring deals, and with the market for good relievers always red-hot in July, St. Louis could actually make some noise, just not the kind fans were hoping for in April.
Denton Says It Plain: Sell Now, Rebuild Tomorrow
MLB.com’s John Denton laid it out bluntly: if the Cards keep sliding, it’s time to cash in. And honestly, it’s hard to argue. The farm system is thin, especially in pitching, and a mini fire sale could inject some badly needed youth and energy into the organization.
Look, this team isn’t totally doomed; they have talent. But there’s also reality — and if they don’t find a spark fast, fans might want to brace for a few big names leaving town by July 30. In return, though, you might finally get to see arms like Michael McGreevy get a real shot in the rotation. Maybe even some lineup shakeups to give young guys a taste of The Show.
Whether it’s a soft sell or a full teardown, the clock’s ticking. The Cardinals still have a chance to take control of the narrative — but first, they’ve gotta choose a direction.
