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The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a challenging offseason decision regarding All-Star outfielder Jordan Walker: whether to offer him a contract extension now or postpone negotiations. Walker, 24, enjoyed a breakout campaign in his fourth MLB season, posting a .269/.327/.466 slash line with 29 home runs and 102 RBIs in 158 games. He also hit 33 doubles, won the Home Run Derby, and earned his first All-Star selection.
Walker's impressive year has complicated the Cardinals' offseason strategy. Last offseason, St. Louis initiated a full-scale rebuild, trading away most of its veteran stars and focusing on developing young talent. That approach paid off with players like Alec Burleson, JJ Wetherholt, and Riley O'Brien emerging as solid contributors. Wetherholt, a rookie second baseman, recently signed an eight-year, $112.5 million extension.
Unlike Wetherholt, Walker is eligible for arbitration this offseason and will become a free agent after the 2029 season. Extending him would be far more expensive, potentially requiring a commitment in the $200-$300 million range given his performance. Although Walker is a key piece for the future, the team is not yet ready to contend, and with several years remaining before free agency, St. Louis could opt to delay an extension.
Walker's past performance further complicates the decision. After a strong rookie season in which he hit 16 home runs and drove in 51 runs in 117 games, he regressed over the next two years, even being demoted twice during his sophomore campaign. Last year, he managed just six home runs and 41 RBIs, making this year's resurgence to 29 homers and 102 RBIs particularly noteworthy.
The Cardinals are hopeful Walker can sustain this high level of play and remain a cornerstone for the future, but it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to give him a substantial raise soon. Chaim Bloom, the team's president of baseball operations, understands the rebuild is far from over and is not looking for quick fixes. Consequently, the team is unlikely to spend heavily on external free agents this offseason, which could increase the chances of extending Walker, especially given the weak free-agent class.
Regardless of the outcome, Walker's emergence as a star slugger has been a significant positive development for the Cardinals.