As the calendar turns to 2026, the St. Louis Cardinals still have key decisions to make with spring training just over a month away. Chaim Bloom has already completed two trades with the Boston Red Sox, sending Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray out of St. Louis.
The Cardinals have also added Dustin May, but they remain interested in bringing in another starting pitcher to strengthen the rotation. While fans shouldn’t expect a blockbuster move, that could change if the free-agent market for top starters continues to move slowly.
Lucas Giolito remains unsigned, and if his market doesn’t pick up, the Cardinals could consider pursuing him on a short-term contract.
Giolito enjoyed a mostly healthy 2025 season with the Red Sox, making 26 starts and posting a 10–4 record with a 3.41 ERA while striking out 121 batters across 145 innings. When healthy, he has shown the ability to provide reliable innings.
Earlier in the offseason, Cardinals insider Jeff Jones noted that if the market stalls for certain pitchers—as it has—St. Louis could end up landing a more significant addition than expected. Giolito may fit that description, as teams could be cautious due to his recent injury history after missing all of 2024 with an elbow issue.
A short-term deal with an option could be a sensible move for the Cardinals, giving them an experienced starter alongside May who could also become a trade chip at the deadline if the team falls out of contention.
Pitching remains a clear need for St. Louis, and there are still multiple paths to address it before the season begins. With time left in the offseason, it will be worth watching to see if Bloom can pull off a larger-than-anticipated signing for the 2026 Cardinals.
As a proven veteran, Giolito aligns well with what the Cardinals are seeking and could significantly improve their pitching staff if added.
