Going into the 2025 season, it looked as if the St. Louis Cardinals were going to embrace a rebuild, with Nolan Arenado trade rumors (including a blocked deal to the Houston Astros) running rampant. However, as the Cardinals struggled to find a trade partner that was to Arenado's liking, the season began, and the Cardinals hung around the playoff periphery.
A rejuvenated Arenado quelled his own trade rumors, but by the time the deadline rolled around, it was clear that the Cardinals were more pretenders than contenders, as they sold off short-term assets that didn't have a future with the club.