Important dates for St. Louis Cardinals fans to know in the 2024-25 MLB offseason

Arbitration Deadlines

Historically, the Cardinals have been a "file and trial" team when it comes to arbitration cases. This means that the team submits its offer to arbitration-eligible players, and the player must either accept the terms or decline them. If they are declined, the two parties will go through the arduous -- and oftentimes disagreeable -- arbitration process. The Cardinals and All-Star closer Ryan Helsley butted heads just a few years ago.

This year, teams have until early January to work out contracts with their arbitration-eligible players. If a deal can't be reached by January 10th, the team and player will exchange salary proposals until a dollar figure is settled on.

The Cardinals have only six players who are arbitration eligible this year: Ryan Helsley, JoJo Romero, John King, Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, and Andre Pallante. It's expected that each player will receive a contract offer, though Ryan Helsley has been listed as a trade candidate. The sum of these contract offers, as predicted by MLB Trade Rumors, sits at $18.9 million, with Ryan Helsley's hefty $6.9 million projected leading the pack.

Last year, the Cardinals cut bait with players like Juan Yepez, Jake Woodford, Andrew Knizner, and Dakota Hudson. It seems likely that St. Louis will work out deals with each of the players listed above. Andre Pallante is slated to be a starter next year, JoJo Romero and Helsley are key cogs in the bullpen, Brendan Donovan is an all-around player, Lars Nootbaar will play everyday, and John King has proven himself to be a viable lefty out of the 'pen. Perhaps John King will not be extended a contract, but his valuation at $1.5MM isn't much.

Stay tuned to Redbird Rants for more offseason coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals.