With Luis Arráez almost certainly departing in free agency this winter, it is time for the San Diego Padres, and A.J. Preller in particular, to start looking into replacements for the 28-year-old, who has been one of the league’s best bat-to-ball hitters. One way he could approach this is by formulating a trade with another National League team that is set to undergo a complete roster overhaul.
The St. Louis Cardinals have stumbled across the finish line for three straight years, posting a 78–84 record in 2025 and missing out on the postseason for the third time in as many seasons.