Will The Cardinals Trade A Catcher This Offseason?

The St. Louis Cardinals face potential trade decisions regarding their catching depth this offseason with four catchers on their 40-man roster. Leo Bernal is positioned to take over as the primary catcher for 2027, making him unlikely to be moved alongside top prospect Rainiel Rodriguez. This surplus creates potential trade opportunities involving Iván Herrera, Jimmy Crooks, or Pedro Pagés as the front office evaluates its roster.

Herrera offers strong offensive value and three years of club control as a designated hitter target despite defensive limitations against the run. Meanwhile, the left-handed hitting Crooks remains a defensive prospect who could entice clubs seeking long-term options behind the plate, and Pagés represents an established, defense-first backup entering his first year of arbitration eligibility.