Will the St. Louis Cardinals extend Alec Burleson?

Viva El Birdos examines the feasibility of the St. Louis Cardinals offering an arbitration-avoiding contract extension to first baseman Alec Burleson. Entering his second year of arbitration eligibility, Burleson faces an upcoming peak in trade value ahead of his projected 2028 free agency. The writer analyzes historical arbitration extensions and questions whether the Cardinals' depth makes a multi-year deal practical.

The writer notes Burleson's defensive limitations and struggles against left-handed pitching as key factors complicating extension talks. Using contracts signed by Yandy Diaz and Brent Rooker as baselines, the writer proposes a potential three-year, $36 million extension with a club option that would secure Burleson through his age-31 season without imposing significant financial risk.