As the dust settled on the offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals found themselves bidding farewell to some familiar faces.

Miles Mikolas and Nolan Arenado, both of whom had become staples in St. Louis, embarked on new journeys, leaving fans with mixed emotions.

Miles Mikolas, after a solid tenure with the Cardinals, took his talents to the Washington Nationals. While his early years in St.

Louis were marked by reliability, the last few seasons saw a decline in his performance. From 2023 to 2025, Mikolas maintained his role in the rotation, eating up innings but struggling with an ERA that ballooned to 4.98.

His departure might not have drawn tears, but it certainly marked the end of an era.

In contrast, Nolan Arenado’s exit was bittersweet. Traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arenado left behind a legacy of stellar defense and a bat that had seen better days.

Despite his offensive struggles in recent years, his defensive prowess remained Gold Glove-worthy. The trade brought pitching prospect Jack Martinez to the Cardinals, signaling a shift in their strategy.

As spring training kicked off, both Mikolas and Arenado gave fans a sense of déjà vu. Mikolas faced a tough start with the Nationals, giving up four extra-base hits, including two home runs, in his first outing.

It was a performance that echoed his recent struggles in St. Louis.

On a brighter note, Arenado seemed to find his groove with the Diamondbacks. In a matchup against his former team, the Colorado Rockies, he launched a home run to left-center field, a sight that surely warmed the hearts of fans who remember his prime.

The Cardinals, now in a phase of transition, have former players scattered across the league. As they navigate this new chapter, keeping an eye on Mikolas, Arenado, and others like Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, and Sonny Gray will be intriguing for fans. The journey of these players will no doubt continue to be a storyline worth following as the season unfolds.