The St. Louis Cardinals are heading toward a pivotal offseason. With John Mozeliak set to hand over leadership to Chaim Bloom after the 2025 season, the organization’s priorities are expected to shift — moving away from short-term contention and toward long-term planning. One sign of this new direction came during the 2025 MLB Draft, especially in how it might affect the future of current first baseman Willson Contreras.
Chaim Bloom is renowned for his ability to scout young talent and rebuild rosters. During his time in Boston, he built competitive teams but was most celebrated for assembling a strong young core. He complemented Dave Dombrowski’s aggressive, win-now style with a more measured, developmental approach. The Cardinals hope Bloom will take on a similar role, guiding the next era of the franchise starting in 2026.
This transition is already taking shape with this year’s draft class. While St. Louis has been applauded for their early selections, their third-round choice particularly reflects Bloom’s philosophy: Jack Gurevitch, a 21-year-old first baseman from the University of San Diego. Picked No. 89 overall despite being ranked No. 144 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 250 list, Gurevitch looks like a calculated pick with leadership traits and clear long-term value.
Though it’s premature to call him the heir apparent, Gurevitch could eventually replace Contreras at first base. He’s known as a strong left-handed hitter with a compact, powerful swing, and earns high marks for character and clubhouse presence — traits that could help him become a foundational piece for the Cardinals’ future.
Meanwhile, Contreras continues to be a solid contributor in 2025, batting .253 with 12 home runs. His shift from catcher to first base has gone smoothly — he’s among the top defenders at the position — but the move felt more like a stopgap after Paul Goldschmidt’s departure than a long-term solution. At 33 and under contract through 2027 (plus a club option for 2028), his future is clouded by age and salary, though his consistent performance could still attract trade interest — particularly if teams see him as a viable catcher.
If handled carefully, St. Louis could transition smoothly, with Contreras passing the torch to Gurevitch in the coming years. Under Bloom, the Cardinals are poised to get younger and build for the future. Contreras has had a respectable run in St. Louis, and while his time may be nearing an end, the organization has the opportunity to send him off respectfully — and possibly to a contender.