Despite widespread calls to rebuild, the St. Louis Cardinals entered the 2025 season with hopes of contending in the NL Central, a division they believed was winnable. However, as the calendar turns to May, things aren’t going according to plan. After a lopsided loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, the Cardinals find themselves at 14-18, barely ahead of the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates in the standings.
The primary reason for this disappointing start? The bullpen. With a 4.69 ERA, ranking 24th in MLB, manager Oli Marmol is finding it difficult to rely on anyone besides Ryan Helsley and Phil Maton. So, with playoff hopes already fading, it was no surprise when the Cardinals made a trade involving a promising relief prospect.
Wait, what? You’re telling me the Cardinals gave up a promising relief prospect, sending Triple-A right-hander Ryan Loutos to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations?
Loutos, a 26-year-old with just three Major League innings, was removed from the Cardinals’ 40-man roster earlier this week to make space for infielder Jose Barrero. Los Angeles quickly claimed him, and the trade announcement was made on Thursday. Faced with losing Loutos for nothing, the Cardinals at least received some cash in return.
But that doesn’t make the move any less puzzling, especially for a team that continues to lack clear direction.
Loutos may not be a sure thing, but he has pitched well at Triple-A Memphis with a 3.38 ERA over eight innings. Given the struggles of the St. Louis bullpen, you would think he might have been worth a chance to contribute. But clearly, the Cardinals disagreed. The fact that the Dodgers, known for their ability to identify and develop talent under Andrew Friedman, were quick to claim Loutos should raise some concerns for the Cardinals. Los Angeles, in need of pitching depth, saw enough potential to secure his services.
What works for the best team in baseball isn’t good enough for Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. If the team is serious about competing in 2025 or even looking to trade assets at the deadline, Loutos seemed like a valuable piece to try. But Mozeliak seems unsure of what direction to take, and the team’s struggles continue as a result.
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