Jordan Walker’s journey with the St. Louis Cardinals has been full of highs and lows. After the excitement of his MLB debut, he now finds himself in a rough patch, with trade rumors swirling around him. However, according to Cardinals beat writer Katie Woo of The Athletic, a deal is unlikely before this month’s trade deadline.
The bigger issue might not be Walker’s performance, but rather the organization’s leadership shift. With John Mozeliak on his way out and Chaim Bloom stepping in, the new regime might not feel committed to keeping Walker around long-term.
Walker is still under team control for three more years, giving the Cardinals every reason to stay the course. But with Bloom now in charge, that continuity could be at risk. A trade this offseason is far from out of the question.
It would be wise for the Cardinals to remain patient. While new leadership often brings change, trading Walker now would feel premature. He only turned pro in 2023 and has bounced between Double-A Springfield and the majors. Given more time and stability, he might still develop into a key contributor.
The Cardinals themselves are a great example of how patience can pay off—they’ve played their way into the wild card race despite early struggles. Walker’s trajectory could mirror that turnaround if he’s given a real chance.
That said, if the team does decide to move on, it wouldn’t be entirely unjustified. Walker hasn’t quite met expectations, and a fresh start could help both him and the organization. A trade isn’t likely before the deadline, but this winter? It’s definitely possible—and maybe even necessary. Despite his years of team control, the Cardinals need more from Walker, and he deserves the chance to grow—whether it’s in St. Louis or somewhere else.