Cardinals Miss Playoffs; Offseason Overhaul Looms

The St. Louis Cardinals were eliminated from 2025 playoff contention after a 4-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 25, dropping them to 78-81 and making it impossible to exceed an 81-win ceiling — their third straight season missing the postseason. The collapse followed a strong June (nine games over .500) but an 8-16 July skid and a poor second half that pushed the club into “seller” mode at the July trade deadline, when they moved relievers with expiring contracts including Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz. Leadership change is imminent: team president of baseball operations John Mozeliak will be replaced by incoming executive Chaim Bloom. The front office faces pressure to clear payroll and roster logjams to create opportunities for younger players. Veterans Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray have signaled increased willingness to consider trades or waive no-trade protections, making them likely focal points for offseason moves as Bloom begins to chart a path back to contention.