Where Ivan Herrera does (and doesn't) fit long term for the St. Louis Cardinals

Entering the 2026 season, Ivan Herrera was supposed to be a key player for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was coming off a season when he posted a 137 wRC+ with 19 home runs and 66 runs driven in. The 26-year-old was also regaining health in hopes of becoming a more regular catcher. Things appear to be different for the right-handed slugger just six months later.

Herrera's numbers have taken a dramatic step back this year. He has a .242/.355/.374 slash line this year, all low marks for him since becoming a full-time player in 2024. He's managed to increase his walk rate this year, but he's hitting more poorly overall, as his batting average has dropped 60 points since its peak in 2024.

Herrera has caught in 51 games this year and played in all but a few of the Cardinals' games this season, so he's proven good health across the board. That health, however, hasn't equated to commensurate production. He's accumulated only 1.3 fWAR this year, a far cry from his career-high mark of 2.7 fWAR last year.

All of this has led me to question Herrera's role on the Cardinals long term.

Ivan Herrera's role for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2027 and beyond is coming into question.

Leonardo Bernal debuted in September, and he hasn't looked back.

The rookie backstop has a .317/.358/.508 slash line with three home runs and 15 RBIs in only 16 games. He set a record last week for the most RBIs for a rookie in his first 10 games. He's etched his name with several other Cardinals greats in his first few games in the majors.

Bernal has caught 14 games this year already, and it seems like he's the probable starting catcher for the Cardinals heading into 2027.

The ascendancy of Bernal paired with Herrera taking steps back on both sides of the ball this year has put Herrera's 2027 role into question.

Herrera has been the Cardinals' primary designated hitter this year. That position is likely his again next year along with the occasional catching appearance. However, there are several mashers in the minors itching to get major-league experience next year, most notably sluggers Rainiel Rodriguez and Jesus Baez, both of whom are playing with Double-A Springfield Cardinals.

Rodriguez posted a .328/.408/.591 slash line with a whopping 23 home runs for a 151 wRC+ in Double-A. He had one of the best month of September for any prospect in all of MiLB, en route to being named the Cardinals minor-league player of the month.

Jesus Baez finished his time with Springfield with a .316/.354/.679 slash line and 25 home runs. Baez has 41 cumulative home runs including the postseason this year. Both Baez and Rodriguez are on the fast track to being promoted to the majors by this time next year. While Baez is likely to slot in at shortstop or third base, Rodriguez could get his feet wet as the club's DH in late 2027.

First base could be an option for Ivan Herrera, but that's currently occupied by a steady and productive Alec Burleson.

With first base locked up for the foreseeable future and plenty of young sluggers rising through the minors very quickly, Ivan Herrera may have a hard time finding consistent at-bats in the near future. Herrera seems to have a spot penciled in for 2027, but his underperformance this year has put his role long-term in jeopardy.

He could be a good offseason trade candidate for teams looking for right-handed hitting, similar to how he was mentioned at the trade deadline as an interesting candidate. Regardless, Ivan Herrera, someone who was once mentioned as a long-term fixture for the Cardinals, is now potentially playing his way out of a regular spot.

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