The St. Louis Cardinals officially committed to a rebuild this winter after several seasons of hovering in the middle of the pack. Signs of that shift appeared last offseason when the team passed on pursuing marquee free agents.
Their direction became clearer at last year’s trade deadline, when they dealt away multiple relievers. However, the most significant steps toward a rebuild have come this offseason.
St. Louis has already moved three of its most prominent veterans. The Cardinals traded Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras to the Boston Red Sox in separate deals, and later sent Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Despite the youth movement, the Cardinals may still look to add a veteran bat to stabilize the lineup. MLB insider Jon Heyman recently reported that St. Louis has been in contact with free-agent outfielder Austin Hays, formerly of the Cincinnati Reds.
Hays could represent a practical and low-risk target for the Cardinals. Heyman noted that the Cardinals, Yankees, and Mets have all stayed in touch with Hays, who was fully healthy and productive during the 2025 season, though Cody Bellinger remains the top outfield priority for the New York teams.
With Brendan Donovan and Lars Nootbaar potentially on the trade block, a roster opening could emerge for a veteran presence like Hays. His expected price tag—likely under $10 million per year—would make him an affordable addition.
Adding Hays would give St. Louis a short-term bridge option while their young outfield prospects continue to develop. If he performs well in the first half, the Cardinals could flip him at the trade deadline, similar to last season’s Phil Maton deal. If he underperforms, the financial risk would be minimal.
In any scenario, signing Hays could benefit the Cardinals—if nothing else, it would weaken one of their biggest rivals by taking a starter off the board.
