The St. Louis Cardinals are entering their final season under team president John Mozeliak, but recent roster decisions suggest that his influence is already fading. Mozeliak previously announced that he would not extend his contract beyond the 2025 season, marking the end of a tenure that included a 2011 World Series title, six NL Central championships, and nine playoff appearances since becoming general manager in 2008.
His successor, Chaim Bloom, has already begun shaping the team’s direction. Bloom, who previously served as the chief baseball officer for the Boston Red Sox, is known for prioritizing young talent over veteran acquisitions. His approach, which he honed with the Tampa Bay Rays, focuses on long-term development rather than immediate contention.
This philosophy appears to be taking hold in St. Louis. On Sunday, the Cardinals announced that Matthew Liberatore would open the season in the starting rotation over veteran Steven Matz, who will shift to the bullpen until the team transitions to a six-man rotation on April 16.
The move contrasts with Mozeliak’s past tendencies, which leaned toward signing experienced players to bolster the roster. Just last season, the Cardinals brought in Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson in an attempt to stabilize their rotation and push for a playoff spot. However, after struggling early in the season, they opted to sell at the trade deadline instead.
Even this offseason, the Cardinals signaled a shift in philosophy by focusing on internal development rather than aggressive free-agent signings. Now, with Liberatore—a 24-year-old left-hander who spent much of last season in the bullpen—getting the nod over Matz, the team is clearly leaning into a youth-driven strategy.
Liberatore posted a 4.40 ERA in 60 appearances (six starts) last season but impressed this spring with a 1.62 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and nine strikeouts in 16.2 innings. Matz, who battled injuries last year and finished with a 5.08 ERA, will have to wait for his chance to reclaim a rotation spot.
While the season has yet to begin, the Cardinals’ latest decisions suggest that the Chaim Bloom era is unofficially underway—even before his official leadership begins.
