The St. Louis Cardinals might be in the midst of a retooling phase, but that hasn’t stopped Chaim Bloom from staying aggressive this offseason.

While much of the buzz around St. Louis has centered on potential trades, the front office has quietly made some intriguing free-agent additions-most notably right-hander Dustin May and, more recently, veteran reliever Ryne Stanek.

Stanek might not be the type of signing that makes headlines, but he’s the kind of bullpen piece that can pay dividends over the course of a long season. With a high-octane fastball and a slider that misses bats, Stanek brings swing-and-miss stuff to a Cardinals bullpen that could use a bit more bite.

And like May, he’s the kind of arm that could draw interest at the trade deadline if things don’t break St. Louis’ way early in the year.

But Bloom isn’t done yet. He’s left the door open for more moves-perhaps another starter, maybe a right-handed bat to balance the lineup. The Cardinals don’t need to make another splash before spring training, but with a number of intriguing free agents still on the market, there’s room to round out the roster.

Here are five free agents who could still make sense for the Cardinals as they look to add depth and upside before camp opens:

OF Randall Grichuk – A Familiar Face with a Defined Role

Let’s start with a name Cardinals fans know well. Randall Grichuk broke into the majors with St.

Louis back in 2014 and spent four seasons patrolling the outfield at Busch Stadium. These days, he’s more of a platoon specialist than an everyday player, but that might be exactly what the Cardinals need.

Grichuk struggled overall in 2025, hitting just .228 with nine homers in limited action. But against left-handed pitching, he was a completely different player-posting a 139 wRC+ and slugging .528. That kind of production from the right side could be valuable for a team looking to add balance to a lefty-heavy outfield.

He’s not likely to command a big contract, and on a rebuilding team like St. Louis, there’s room for a veteran like Grichuk to carve out a role while mentoring younger players. A reunion makes a lot of sense if the price is right.

RHP Walker Buehler – A High-Upside Gamble on the Comeback Trail

The Cardinals have no shortage of young arms competing for rotation spots, but that doesn’t mean they should pass on a potential upside play. Enter Walker Buehler.

Once a rising star with the Dodgers, Buehler’s career has been derailed by injuries in recent years. After a heroic postseason run in 2024, he tried to bounce back during the regular season with Boston-but the results weren’t pretty. A 4.93 ERA, 5.66 FIP, and a strikeout rate of just 16.3% over 24 starts paint the picture of a pitcher still searching for his old form.

But the pedigree is there. From 2018 to 2021, Buehler was one of the most electric starters in baseball.

If the Cardinals can bring him in on a low-risk deal, he could be a worthwhile project. Best-case scenario, he rediscovers some of that old magic.

Worst-case, he’s a depth option or a bullpen arm who doesn’t block the development of the younger rotation candidates.

OF Austin Slater – A Smart Platoon Option with OBP Skills

Austin Slater didn’t light it up in 2025, putting together a .216/.270/.372 line in limited action. But dig a little deeper, and there’s reason to believe he could be a sneaky good fit in St. Louis.

Slater has long been known for his ability to hit left-handed pitching, and that didn’t change last season. Against southpaws, he posted a .726 OPS and a 100 wRC+, with solid power numbers driving most of that value. For his career, he’s a 119 wRC+ bat versus lefties, with a .357 OBP and .430 SLG.

He won’t cost much, and he offers the kind of situational value that can make a difference over 162 games. The Cardinals need right-handed options in the outfield, and Slater could be an inexpensive way to fill that gap.

LHP Jordan Montgomery – A Reunion That Could Make Sense for Both Sides

Jordan Montgomery was a key piece of the Cardinals’ rotation in 2023 before helping the Texas Rangers win a World Series title. But the years since haven’t been kind.

After a rough 2024 season with the Diamondbacks, where he posted a 6.23 ERA over 25 appearances, Montgomery missed all of 2025 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Now, he’s looking to reestablish himself-and a return to St. Louis could be just what he needs.

Montgomery found success under Cardinals pitching coach Dusty Blake, and that familiarity could help him get back on track. He’s unlikely to command more than a minor-league deal at this point, and for the Cardinals, it’s a low-risk move with some potential upside. If he’s healthy and effective, he could either stabilize the rotation or become an attractive trade chip by midseason.

OF Austin Hays – A Right-Handed Bat with Pop and Platoon Value

If the Cardinals are looking for a right-handed bat who can contribute immediately, Austin Hays might be the best fit on the market.

Hays hit 15 home runs in 2025 and posted a 105 wRC+ overall-not eye-popping, but solid. Where he really shined was against left-handed pitching.

In those matchups, he slashed .319/.400/.549, good for a .949 OPS and a 155 wRC+. That’s elite-level production in a platoon role.

He might still be holding out for a spot with a contender, but if that doesn’t materialize, the Cardinals should absolutely be in the mix. Hays could provide some much-needed thump from the right side and give the lineup a more balanced look.

Final Thoughts

The Cardinals aren’t in win-now mode, but that doesn’t mean they should sit idle. Bloom’s approach has been measured but opportunistic-adding arms like May and Stanek who could help now or become assets later. That same mindset could apply to any of the five names above.

Whether it’s a veteran outfielder who can mash lefties, a bounce-back candidate with frontline potential, or a familiar face looking to find his form again, there are still moves to be made. And with spring training fast approaching, the Cardinals have a real chance to round out their roster with smart, strategic signings that fit both the present and the future.