ST. LOUIS – May 2025— Just when it looked like the St. Louis Cardinals were poised to begin a full-scale rebuild after parting ways with two of their veteran leaders, the franchise has swung a stunning blockbuster trade to land another top-tier star, signaling that they’re not ready to fade quietly into a transition year.
The Cardinals announced late Thursday that they have acquired All-Star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in a massive deal involving four players, including rising pitching prospect Tink Hence and infielder Brendan Donovan. The move comes just days after the team bid farewell to long-tenured veterans Paul Goldschmidt and Kyle Gibson, both of whom were dealt to contenders in separate deals earlier this month.
Robert, 27, is widely regarded as one of the most electric players in baseball, boasting elite speed, Gold Glove-caliber defense, and serious power at the plate. Despite being under contract through 2027, the White Sox opted to capitalize on his trade value amid their own retooling process.
For the Cardinals, the move represents a dramatic shift in tone from what many assumed would be a season of retooling. While St. Louis had stumbled out of the gate in 2025, the front office — led by president of baseball operations John Mozeliak — clearly believes there’s still a path to contention in the NL Central.
“We’re thrilled to welcome a talent like Luis to St. Louis,” Mozeliak said in a statement. “He brings impact in every phase of the game, and we believe he can be a key part of our core moving forward.”
The Cardinals now boast a revamped outfield anchored by Robert and second-year breakout star Victor Scott II, giving fans hope for a resurgence on both sides of the ball.
Losing clubhouse leaders like Goldschmidt and Gibson isn’t easy, but with Robert in the fold and younger talent continuing to rise, the Cardinals may have just fast-tracked their return to relevance — and possibly October baseball.
Stay tuned. The Cardinals may not be done just yet.
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