As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in a unique position with their catching depth, but according to reporting from The Athletic, All-Star backstop Ivan Herrera is unlikely to be on the move.
With catchers scarce across the industry, the Cardinals theoretically hold leverage. St. Louis currently carries three catchers on the major-league roster: Herrera, reserve Pedro Pagés, and rookie Jimmy Crooks.
Their long-term solutions, however, are developing in the minors—Leo Bernal at Triple-A and top prospect Rainiel Rodriguez at Double-A—with the organization’s next competitive window projected for late 2027 or early 2028.
That timeline reduces any urgency to cash in on major-league catching depth right now. Rival executives, speaking anonymously to The Athletic, indicated that the Cardinals’ asking prices remain high. There are also lingering questions about Herrera’s long-term future behind the plate.
His arm has long been viewed as a weakness, and he has thrown out just one of 29 attempted base stealers this season. The club prefers that he catch no more than twice a week, a clear signal that they do not view him as their everyday solution at the position indefinitely.
Despite those defensive limitations, the Cardinals remain exceptionally high on Herrera’s bat and show little inclination to trade him.
They are similarly fond of Pagés as a backup, praising his preparation, game-planning, and rapport with pitchers. The catcher they would be most willing to discuss is Crooks, a 25-year-old left-handed hitter who will not reach arbitration until 2029.
President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, navigating his first trade deadline in St. Louis, has made clear he will listen on all three if the right prospect package materializes.
Yet he faces no pressure to force a deal simply for the sake of making one. In a market defined by high asking prices and cautious sellers, Herrera appears firmly in the “unlikely to move” category—valued more for the production he still provides than for any short-term return he might fetch.
For Cardinals fans, that stance offers continuity at a premium position while the organization continues building toward its next window of contention.
As the deadline nears, expect St. Louis to prioritize expiring contracts over parting with a bat they clearly still believe in.
Herrera is slashing .246/.364/.383 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI over 481 plate appearances in 2026.
