13 potential contract extensions for young Cardinals ranging from realistic to absurd

Since Opening Day, several young players across baseball have signed long-term agreements with their respective teams.

The Boston Red Sox agreed to deals with starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (six years, $170 million) and shortstop Kristian Campbell (eight years, $60 million with two club options). Outfielder Jackson Merrill and the San Diego Padres agreed to a nine-year, $135 million deal with a club option. Ketel Marte signed a six-year, $116.5 million deal with a player option with the Arizona Diamondbacks along with starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt, who agreed to a five-year, $45 million deal with the D-Backs.

These extensions come on the heels of several others that were inked right before the season started. Tanner Bibee of the Cleveland Guardians (five years, $48 million), Alejandro Kirk of the Toronto Blue Jays (five years, $58 million), and Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners (six years, $105 million) all signed deals prior to Opening Day.

This has gotten St. Louis Cardinals fans thinking: Which Cardinal could receive an extension during this rampant time?

Each of these extensions, sans the one given to outfielder Starling Marte, was given to a player either in pre-arbitration or arbitration. In fact, Kristian Campbell received his contract with fewer than 15 plate appearances to his name.

Given the Cardinals' desire to field a young and competitive team, it's best to focus on young players rather than veterans for extensions. The club has several players in arbitration and pre-arbitration who are viable candidates for an extension. I'll also mention a few players who have little to no major-league experience who could see an extension a la Kristian Campbell, but these players would be long shots to receive a long-term contract.

Here are 13 players who could receive a long-term extension from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Rookies or players with minimal major-league experience

This crop of players is the least likely to receive an extension. The Cardinals are typically averse to giving out contracts to players without a proven track record. The least proven player who received a contract under John Mozeliak's tenure was shortstop Paul DeJong. DeJong still had six years of team control to his name when he inked a six-year, $26 million deal in 2018. Up to that point, he had logged only 443 plate appearances, and he was coming out of his rookie season.

JJ Wetherholt

JJ Wetherholt hasn't even been a Cardinal for 365 days, and there's still a chance he could see a long-term extension come his way. The Cardinals' 2024 first-round draftee, Wetherholt finished 2024 with a .295/.405/.400 slash line with 16 walks and 15 strikeouts at Low-A Palm Beach. Wetherholt will skip his way up to Double-A Springfield this year to start.

If all goes well at Springfield, there's a chance the Cardinals could offer a long-term extension of around eight years to lock up their top draft pick from last year.

Michael McGreevy

A former first-round pick as well, Michael McGreevy has made his major-league debut. McGreevy, 24, threw 23 innings in 2024, and he's maintained his rookie status. In just four outings, McGreevy struck out 18 batters and finished with a 3-0 record and a 1.96 ERA. It's tough to have a stronger first showing than McGreevy's last year.

The right-handed pitcher continued his strong work in Spring Training. He threw 16.2 innings with a 1.08 ERA and 12 strikeouts, and he didn't walk a single batter in five games. Giving unproven pitchers long-term deals is risky and uncommon, but the Cardinals could break the mold.

Pre-arbitration players

The Cardinals have given out contracts to pre-arbitration players in the past, but it's been a while. With Chaim Bloom taking over next year, these players probably won't see a deal come their way. The POBO in waiting will want to see how they perform this year before he commits to them.

Victor Scott II

Victor Scott II has had a mini breakout this year. His spring was ridiculous, as he posted a .349/.451/.721 slash line with four home runs in only 16 games. He's continued that hot streak with a .348/.385/.522 slash line to go along with four stolen bases and one home run in only six games.

Giving a contract extension to Victor Scott II would be a long shot by the organization unless he continues this strong stretch of performance and proves his 2024 season was a fluke. If he can do so, locking up a plus defensive center fielder with Scott's speed for the foreseeable future would be a shrewd move by the front office.

Ivan Herrera

Ivan Herrera has been an offensive force throughout his major-league career. He has a career .298/.374/.438 slash line with eight home runs for a 127 OPS+ through only 342 plate appearances. He's taken things to a new level this year with a .467/.529/1.200 slash line through just five games this year. His three-home run outing on Wednesday sure helped his case.

Herrera has some defensive shortcomings, primarily his weak arm when throwing to second base. He's been working on adding strength, and if he can do so this year, signing him to a long-term deal would behoove both sides. The issue, however, is that the Cardinals have a deep pipeline of catching talent, including Jimmy Crooks, Leonardo Bernal, and Rainiel Rodriguez. Inking Herrera to a multi-year deal would block those prospects down the road.

Matthew Liberatore

Another former first-round pick, Matthew Liberatore hasn't been given a consistent role by the organization throughout his career. Now, he's being promised a full run as a starting pitcher. If he can fulfill his prospect pedigree and become a mid-rotation starting pitcher, the Cardinals should explore a long-term deal with their southpaw.

The organization has lacked a true homegrown pitcher over the last five years, and if Libby can become a viable starter, signing him long-term would benefit both parties.

Nolan Gorman

Nolan Gorman is in a bit of a "prove it" year. He was promised 600 plate appearances by the organization this winter, but the team appears to have gone back on its word given Oli Marmol's starting lineups through the first week of baseball.

Gorman has been plagued by strikeouts throughout his career. If he can cut back on those and show to the organization that his 2023 season, not his 2024 showing, is who he truly is as a player, locking him up to a long-term team would be a wise idea. Power-hitting second basemen don't grow on trees, after all.

Alec Burleson

Alec Burleson was a member of the Cardinals' illustrious 2020 draft that included the next two players on this list, along with Tink Hence. Burleson was a bit of an afterthought heading into the 2024 season, but he was one of the team's best hitters last year, particularly against right-handed pitchers.

Burleson lacks defensive versatility, but he can handle first base relatively well. Burly has also played in the corner outfield, and he's logged most of his time at the designated hitter spot so far in 2025. Burly's deal wouldn't be pricey, but it would buy out his arbitration years while giving both him and the Cardinals financial assurance.

Jordan Walker

Here is where we get into legitimate extension candidates.

Jordan Walker was a top-five prospect in all of baseball as recently as 2023. His size, power, and ability to tear the seams off of a baseball are enviable. However, he hasn't been able to put it all together up to this point. He struggled last year elevating the ball, and his defense in the corner outfield has been lackluster.

Jordan Walker is off to a strong start so far in 2025. He has MLB's hardest-hit ball this year, and he's slugged one home run in just five games. If he can prove his efforts this offseason with Brant Brown can breed success, Walker would be a shoo-in for a long-term extension.

Masyn Winn

Masyn Winn would be my choice for a long-term extension. He's a superb defender at a premium defensive position, he has the ability to steal 25 or more bags in a year, and his offensive output last year was strong for a shortstop.

In November, I posited an eight-year, $100 million deal for Winn. He would top out at $25 million in year eight of his deal, and an additional year with a mutual option would give him another $25 million. A deal of this size would lock Winn in as the club's cornerstone, and he would immediately become the face of the team.

Arbitration players

These players have entered arbitration already, and their deals would be much shorter than other candidates. They have a more proven track record, and their careers give the team more assurance of who they are as players. At least two of these players are legitimate candidates for extensions.

Andre Pallante

When starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt received a long-term deal, my mind immediately went to Andre Pallante as a candidate for the Cardinals. Pfaadt's best career ERA (4.71) only narrowly outpaces Pallante's worst career ERA (4.76). Pallante showed that he has the ability to be a strong back-end starting pitcher in 2024, and he may have set himself up for a long-term deal.

Pallante's ceiling isn't exceptional, as he relies heavily on groundballs, and his strikeout rate isn't eye-popping. However, there's something to be said for knowing what you'll get out of your number four or five starting pitcher. A contract extension for Andre Pallante at the right price — this could be said for any of these deals, to be fair — would benefit both Pallante and the Cardinals.

Brendan Donovan

Brendan Donovan is probably the most likely player on this list to receive a multi-year deal. Donnie is a leader both on and off the field, he can capably play four positions across the diamond, he's an on-base hitter with decent pop, and he's a grinder. The Cardinals have turned down several trade offers for their Gold Glove utility man.

Brendan Donovan said he would have agreed to a long-term deal this offseason, but one didn't come his way. Clearly, he's open to negotiating. Are the Cardinals willing to lock in one of their cornerstone players for the next five years?

Lars Nootbaar

Lars Nootbaar is slowly proving to the doubters that he could be a top corner outfielder in all of baseball. After three years of injury concerns, Nootbaar is beginning to quiet the doubters with an electric start to 2025. He has a .417/.533/.667 slash line to start the year along with two home runs and five walks in only six games. Nootbaar is also a plus defender in left field according to most metrics. Nootbaar appears to have found a comfortable home at leadoff for the Cardinals this year.

If Noot can remain healthy this year, he should absolutely be approached with a multi-year contract. He's only in his first year of arbitration, but the 27-year-old could find himself with a five- or six-year deal to get him through his early 30s.

Ryan Helsley

An extension for Ryan Helsley doesn't feel likely, but signing him to one would be a landmark deal for the Cardinals. He's currently the longest-tenured player on the roster, and he's an ode to better days. The All-Star closer racked up a franchise-record and league-leading 49 saves last year, and he's in his final year before free agency.

Helsley spoke this offseason about a desire to sign a long-term extension with the Cardinals, but the organization didn't echo that sentiment. Due to the change in power following the end of this season, it's not likely that any imminent free agents will be given contracts once their current ones are up, Helsley included.