The St. Louis Cardinals are heading into a pivotal offseason, and for once, the direction seems refreshingly clear: it’s time to turn the page.

After years of trying to stay competitive with patchwork fixes-signings, deadline deals, and short-term solutions-the front office finally leaned into a rebuild at this past trade deadline. That decision marked a shift in strategy, and now, with several veterans already moved, the focus turns to what’s next.

And that includes a tough but necessary conversation about Miles Mikolas.

At the deadline, the Cardinals dealt away Steven Matz, Phil Maton, and Ryan Helsley-three of the few players on expiring contracts. It was a signal that the team was ready to reset, not reload.

That leaves Mikolas as one of the last remaining veterans from the previous era, and his future in St. Louis is anything but certain.

Mikolas is entering free agency this winter, and his recent performance doesn’t exactly scream hot commodity. Over the last three seasons, he’s made 98 starts and collected $55.75 million in salary, but those numbers came with a 4.98 ERA. That’s not the kind of production you want from someone who’s been a fixture in your rotation-and certainly not at that price tag.

According to projections, Mikolas could land a one-year deal in the $5 million range from a club looking for innings at the back of the rotation. Think teams in the early stages of a rebuild themselves-clubs like the White Sox, Rockies, or Marlins.

For them, signing Mikolas would be a low-risk, potentially high-reward move. If he rebounds, great-he becomes a trade chip.

If not, they move on without much financial pain.

But for the Cardinals, the calculus is different.

St. Louis has given Mikolas every opportunity to reclaim his form, and the results just haven’t been there.

Despite his struggles, he remained a regular part of the rotation, and that loyalty came at a steep cost-not just in dollars, but in innings that could’ve gone to younger arms with upside. Overpaying for below-average production has been part of what’s held this team back, and if the Cardinals are serious about turning the page, this is one of those decisions that can’t be sentimental.

Even at a veteran minimum, bringing Mikolas back would be a step in the wrong direction. This is a team that needs to open up space-for development, for experimentation, and for building something sustainable. That means letting go of the past, even if it’s a familiar face.

The Cardinals are expected to make key personnel changes this offseason, and part of that process is making clean breaks. Mikolas had his run in St.

Louis. Now it’s time for both sides to move on.