By Josh Jacobs | June 1, 2025
In a move reminiscent of the Chicago Cubs’ bold offseason strategy, the St. Louis Cardinals made a splash of their own this past winter, acquiring superstar third baseman Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox. The deal marked a dramatic shift in St. Louis’ approach, echoing the Cubs’ blockbuster trade for Kyle Tucker that helped propel them into World Series contention this season.
Just months ago, the Cubs shocked the baseball world by acquiring Tucker from the Houston Astros in exchange for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski, and top prospect Cam Smith. That trade, while costly, transformed Chicago’s offense and helped elevate them to a top-three ranking in nearly every major offensive category.
Recognizing the power of such a move, the Cardinals followed suit. They targeted Devers — who had been at the center of controversy in Boston and was reportedly growing frustrated with the direction of the team — and landed him in exchange for a package that included top prospects and young pitching talent. With Boston’s front office seeking a reset and Devers’ massive contract entering its third year, the timing aligned perfectly for a deal.
Devers, still just 28 and in his prime, is having a career year. Through May, he’s slashed .291/.413/.523 with 12 home runs, 52 RBI, and a 159 wRC+ — all while offering the kind of left-handed power presence the Cardinals sorely lacked.
The acquisition instantly vaulted St. Louis into the conversation as one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball. With Devers now anchoring the heart of the order, the Cardinals boast a formidable offensive unit featuring Lars Nootbaar, Masyn Winn, Ivan Herrera, Brendan Donovan, and Willson Contreras. Young contributors like Alec Burleson, Victor Scott II, and Pedro Pages deepen a lineup that already ranked top-10 in wRC+, batting average, and OBP before the trade.
Projected Lineup:
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LF Lars Nootbaar
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SS Masyn Winn
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3B Rafael Devers
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1B Willson Contreras
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DH Ivan Herrera
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2B Brendan Donovan
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RF Jordan Walker/Alec Burleson
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C Pedro Pages
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CF Victor Scott II
This strategic swing by President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom, in his first major move since joining the Cardinals, mirrors the same type of aggression he once exercised in Boston’s front office. It’s also a statement: the Cardinals aren’t just aiming to compete — they’re aiming to contend.
Financially, the Cardinals were poised for such a move. With Nolan Arenado’s salary coming off the books and the payroll sitting around $106 million prior to arbitration, the front office had flexibility to absorb Devers’ $313 million extension. Ownership, according to Bloom, gave the green light given the resurgence of young talent and the promise of a contending core.
With Busch Stadium already seeing a spike in attendance and team revenue projected to rise, this bold move has energized the fanbase and positioned the Cardinals as a legitimate threat in the National League. Whether or not it culminates in postseason glory remains to be seen — but there’s no doubt: St. Louis took the Cubs’ playbook, and this time, they wrote their own winning chapter.
