Cardinals Trade Loutos to Dodgers For Cash

The St. Louis Cardinals' 2025 season has been marked by both challenges and promising player developments. Young pitcher Matthew Liberatore has emerged as a standout in the rotation, posting a 3.19 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP while earning recognition as one of MLB's top left-handed starters. Veteran Steven Matz has also rebuilt his trade value with strong performances in a swingman role, maintaining a 1.50 ERA and a 20-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 24 innings. Offensively, the Cardinals have struggled, but the imminent return of catcher Iván Herrera, who impressed before his knee injury, offers hope for a lineup boost. The team has also seen increased opportunities for young players, partially due to roster changes such as moving Willson Contreras to first base. While the Cardinals trail in the NL Central, these individual successes provide optimism for the season ahead.