The St. Louis Cardinals have unveiled their Opening Day roster for the 2025 season. Following an offseason full of questions and uncertainties, along with a spring training marked by intense competition, the team has made its final roster choices.
The headline news for fans is that Victor Scott II will be the starting center fielder, with Michael Siani taking on a bench role. The pitching staff will feature a six-man rotation, with Matthew Liberatore surprising many as the 5th starter after only one spring training appearance.
The bullpen has added Chris Roycroft and Kyle Leahy to fill the final spots, while the bench is primarily focused on outfield and first base depth. Both fans and media are already raising doubts about the organization’s decision-making as they approach the final season under John Mozeliak’s leadership.
What is being overlooked is the apparent lack of respect the organization has for its players, which has become a recurring issue in recent years.
One notable player left off the 26-man Opening Day roster is infielder Jose Fermin. Fermin, who was expected to secure a bench spot due to his ability to relieve Masyn Winn throughout the season and his strong spring training performance, has a solid case for inclusion.
The organization acknowledged his potential and even promised him a roster spot last week, yet ultimately left him off the team.
The Cardinals went back on their word with Jose Fermin, and that is a major issue.
Jose Fermin was one of the standout players during the 2025 spring training, posting an impressive .831 OPS over 48 at-bats and showing solid defensive versatility across the diamond. In a roster filled with left-handed hitters who don’t play middle infield, Fermin seemed like a clear choice for a valuable backup role.
However, after being told by the team that they viewed him the same way fans did, he was unexpectedly cut just three days later. While this move might surprise many, it’s unfortunately typical for this organization.
The Cardinals have consistently struggled with communication issues over the years. A prime example is how they’ve handled Willson Contreras. Signed to a long-term deal to replace franchise legend Yadier Molina, Contreras was briefly tasked with catching duties in 2023.
However, after some pitching staff complaints about his pitch calling and framing, the team decided to pull him off catching duties altogether, even hinting at a move to the outfield. Ultimately, Contreras found a home at first base, and this storyline has somewhat resolved itself, but it reflects the communication issues within the organization.
Another case of mismanagement has been the handling of top prospect Jordan Walker. The Cardinals have failed to properly develop Walker, shuttling him between Memphis and St. Louis without clear direction.
This reached a breaking point in 2024 when John Mozeliak assured Cardinals fans that Walker would be an everyday starter. However, when Walker was recalled, manager Oliver Marmol made him part of a platoon, further illustrating the lack of coherent planning and direction.
As Opening Day 2025 approaches, MLB fans are buzzing with excitement for the return of the season. However, for Cardinals fans, it feels like another year of management’s arrogance, lack of direction, and developmental failure. With the anticipated arrival of the Chaim Bloom era in St. Louis, fans are hoping for a change. But for now, they can expect more of the same from the current regime.
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