The St. Louis Cardinals have created one of the more unusual roster situations in baseball, carrying an unusually large collection of catchers while several young players continue to push their way toward the majors. What initially looked like a roster logjam may actually be part of a longer-term strategy designed to maximize flexibility rather than force an immediate trade.
The situation dates back to last offseason, when St. Louis entered the year with five catchers on its 40-man roster: Pedro Pagés, Ivan Herrera, Jimmy Crooks, Yahel Pozo and Leo Bernal. Carrying that many players at one position was highly unconventional, but the Cardinals had legitimate reasons for maintaining the depth. Herrera was recovering from elbow surgery and there were questions about his throwing ability, while the organization remained interested in evaluating its younger catching prospects.
As the season progressed, Herrera’s health concerns became less significant, and the Cardinals increasingly demonstrated that they still viewed him as a legitimate major-league catcher. He has continued to receive substantial playing time, while Crooks has taken on a larger role and Pagés has gradually seen his share decrease. Pozo eventually lost his roster spot after being designated for assignment and was subsequently claimed by Baltimore.
That still leaves St. Louis with an unusual number of catching options.
Herrera remains the offensive centerpiece
Among the current group, Herrera has established himself as the most accomplished offensive player. His bat has become too valuable for the Cardinals to simply remove him from the lineup, and manager Oliver Marmol has consistently found ways to get him on the field.
That raises an interesting possibility: Herrera could potentially be used as more than a traditional catcher. His offensive production is strong enough that the Cardinals may eventually view him as an everyday offensive player who happens to catch rather than simply a catcher who contributes offensively.
For now, however, there is little indication that the organization intends to move him to another position or trade him. Unless another team presents an overwhelming offer, keeping one of the club’s best hitters appears to make considerably more sense.
Crooks and Bernal still need time
Jimmy Crooks represents another intriguing piece of the puzzle. Although his major-league production has not yet fully matched expectations, his underlying numbers and scouting profile suggest that he could eventually provide a better combination of offense and defense than Pagés.
The Cardinals therefore have an incentive to give Crooks additional opportunities rather than make a premature decision.
Bernal is even more difficult to evaluate because he has yet to establish himself at the major-league level. Opinions differ considerably regarding his defensive ability behind the plate, while his offensive potential remains another major question.
Nevertheless, the organization appears willing to give him time to develop. If he continues progressing, he could eventually become an important part of the Cardinals’ catching picture.
Then there is Rainel Rodriguez
Perhaps the biggest factor complicating the entire situation is Rainel Rodriguez.
The young catcher has continued to impress in the minor leagues, progressing through High-A and Double-A while producing offensive numbers that have increasingly made him impossible to ignore. His bat has generated considerable excitement within the organization, with his performance suggesting that he could eventually become one of the Cardinals’ most dangerous hitters.
That makes Rodriguez difficult to fit into a conventional roster plan.
Rather than rushing him to the majors or moving him to another position immediately, the Cardinals can afford to allow his development to continue. He is already receiving some work at first base, which could eventually provide the organization with another option.
The Cardinals may not need to make a trade
One of the biggest assumptions surrounding the catching situation has been that St. Louis must trade one of its catchers soon.
But that may not actually be necessary.
Pagés, for example, remains under team control and will not become arbitration-eligible until after the 2027 season. That means the Cardinals have little financial incentive to move him immediately. More importantly, the organization does not appear to face overwhelming 40-man roster pressure that would force it to sacrifice a catcher simply to create space for pitching prospects.
That gives president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom and the Cardinals’ front office something extremely valuable: time.
Instead of deciding right now which catcher will ultimately win the job, St. Louis can allow the competition to develop naturally.
A potential “three into four” strategy
The most intriguing possibility is that the Cardinals could use their unusual catching depth to create a flexible four-position rotation involving catcher, designated hitter and first base.
Rather than treating the DH spot as a traditional position reserved for rotating players throughout the roster, St. Louis could use it to keep its catchers’ bats in the lineup while reducing the physical demands of catching every day.
For example, with three catchers available, one could catch while another serves as the designated hitter. The third could potentially play first base, particularly when the matchup favors that arrangement.
This could become especially useful against left-handed pitching, where the Cardinals have concerns about Alec Burleson’s platoon splits. A catcher capable of playing first base could allow the club to create a more favorable matchup without sacrificing offensive production.
Against right-handed pitching, Herrera could potentially serve as the DH while Crooks or Bernal handles catching duties, with Burleson remaining at first base.
Such an arrangement would allow the Cardinals to keep multiple talented hitters involved while simultaneously protecting their catchers from excessive physical wear.
Rodriguez could eventually change everything
The biggest unknown remains when Rodriguez is ready for the major leagues.
If his development continues at its current pace, the Cardinals may eventually have no choice but to create room for him. But even then, it may not be immediately obvious which player loses his roster spot.
Performance will determine that answer.
One possibility is that Rodriguez eventually replaces one of the catchers. Another is that he develops into a first baseman or third baseman and forces a different roster adjustment. His defensive development over the next year or two could therefore be just as important as his already impressive offensive production.
For now, though, the Cardinals have little reason to panic.
The likely short-term picture is Crooks, Herrera and eventually Bernal competing for catching responsibilities, while Pagés remains around until the organization determines that it is ready to move forward without him. Rodriguez could then arrive later and fundamentally reshape the position.
Rather than being a problem that needs to be solved immediately, St. Louis’ catching carousel could actually give the organization something it desperately needs during a roster transition: competition, flexibility and time.
Unless another club makes an offer too good to refuse, the Cardinals may simply allow the situation to play itself out. The winner of the catching competition may not need to be chosen this winter—and that could ultimately be the smartest move the organization can make.
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