The Cardinals have signed infielder/outfielder to a minor league contract, with an invitation to major league spring training. Represented by Icon Sports Management, Vilade, who turns 26 in February, brings some major league experience. He appeared in three games with the Rockies in 2021 and 17 games with the Tigers in 2024, posting a .157/.200/.216 slash line over 56 plate appearances. After being outrighted by Detroit at season’s end, he opted for free agency.
While his big-league stats are modest, the Cardinals are likely more interested in his minor league performance. In 2024, Vilade played 108 Triple-A games, hitting .278/.346/.449 with a 105 wRC+ across 442 plate appearances. He also showcased defensive versatility, covering all three outfield spots and three infield positions, and stole 20 bases.
Vilade has prospect pedigree, having been a second-round pick by the Rockies in 2017. He excelled in the lower minors early in his career, earning a spot in Baseball America’s top ten Rockies prospects from 2018 to 2022. However, his struggles at Triple-A in 2021 and 2022 led Colorado to waive him.
Claimed by the Pirates, he had another underwhelming Triple-A season in 2023 before signing a minor league deal with the Tigers in 2024. Although his major league time with Detroit was limited, his Triple-A resurgence caught the Cardinals’ attention.
With St. Louis approaching 2025 as a developmental year, the team might explore trading veterans or players with limited long-term value. Nolan Arenado, seeking to play for a contender, could be on the move, while Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, and Nolan Gorman are also potential trade candidates. Paul Goldschmidt has already departed via free agency.
Vilade’s versatility makes him a potential candidate for playing time amid these roster changes. If he earns a roster spot, he has one option year remaining and minimal service time, making him a cost-effective long-term depth piece for the Cardinals.
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