MLB analyst predicts Cardinals' 2025 infield in light of Paul Goldschmidt's move to Yankees, Nolan Arenado's potential departure

The St. Louis Cardinals are at a crossroads as they prepare for the 2025 season. Paul Goldschmidt’s move to the New York Yankees (one year, $12.5 million deal) and speculation surrounding Nolan Arenado’s potential departure have left fans wondering what the infield will look like next year.

According to MLB analyst Katie Woo, Mason Winn is set to anchor shortstop, while Wilson Contreras, the team’s prized free-agent signing (five-year, $87.5 million) from 2023, will shift to first base or DH. This adjustment keeps Contreras’s bat in the lineup but also opens opportunities for young catchers like Iván Herrera.

The real intrigue lies in third base and second base. On the "Cardinals Territory" podcast on Tuesday, Woo outlines two potential scenarios: if Arenado is traded or not.

"Scenario one: Nolan Arenado is traded," Woo said (11:20 onwards) Tuesday on Cardinals Territory. "That opens the door for Nolan Gorman, who came up through the Cardinals system as a third baseman, to get significant reps at the hot corner. Brendan Donovan can play anywhere, so you could see him at third, second, or even see Thomas Saggese, should he make the Opening Day roster, kind of bounce around."

"Scenario two: They don’t trade Arenado, so he’s at third," Woo added. "You still have Mason Winn at shortstop. Do you keep Gorman at second? Do you move Brendan Donovan and keep him in that super-utility role? Does Donovan take over at second and Gorman becomes a DH?"

It's still December, so it's quite early to predict the infield of the Cardinals. But the way it will shape will very much decide their future acquisitions and a lot depends on how the team moves forward with Nolan Arenado.

Yankees "not interested" in Nolan Arenado

Among the potential trade destinations, the Yankees emerged as one since they brought over his teammate, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt from the Cardinals. However, dismissing those rumors, Yes Network's Jack Curry said the Yankees are "not interested" in Nolan Arenado, putting an end to rumors.

Moreover, even Arenado is personally more inclined to go someplace else. He wants to be a Dodger more than he wants to be a Yankee.

Whoever decides to trade for Nolan Arenado will take on his salary as well. The third baseman has three more years on his contract with $25.5 million in annual salary.