Central STL News

Back in Denver, where his career began over three decades ago, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak gathered with family at Coors Field. Despite the nostalgia, Mozeliak's focus remained on the challenges leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline.

“This is where it all started for me, so it’s cool, but there’s a lot going on right now in the game of baseball, so it’s hard for me to reflect on being back in Denver,” said Mozeliak. He plans to pass his role to Chaim Bloom after this season.

Mozeliak emphasized that the team's standing will guide their decisions before the July 31 deadline. A recent losing streak has impacted their playoff hopes since last reaching them in 2022. “Clearly, the weekend was not what we wanted to see," he stated. The Cardinals are currently trailing in both their division and Wild Card races.

The Cardinals' plans remain “fluid,” according to Mozeliak, who mentioned potential changes based on upcoming games against the Rockies and Padres. Discussions with key players holding no-trade clauses have yet to occur but are anticipated soon. “I haven’t [talked], but that’s something we will have a good understanding of as we enter that final week [before the Trade Deadline],” he noted regarding Nolan Arenado's future.

The bullpen remains a valuable asset for trades, with expiring contracts among top performers like Ryan Helsley drawing interest. "If there’s something that seems too good to be true or something that makes so much sense, obviously we would pursue that," said Mozeliak.

As they face decisions impacting future seasons, including possibly shifting focus from this year's playoffs to 2026 prospects, Mozeliak highlighted the importance of competing within their division: “First of all, you got to compete in your division.”