Since Chaim Bloom assumed the role of president of baseball operations for the St. Louis Cardinals, a wave of transformations has swept the organization during the offseason. Known for his willingness to make bold moves while serving as the chief baseball officer for the Boston Red Sox, Bloom has continued a similar approach in St. Louis, parting ways with key players like Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Brandan Donovan amid a larger roster overhaul. This activity is central to the ongoing St. Louis Cardinals rebuild, with Bloom also pursuing free agent signings to reshape the team’s future.
Concerns Surround Dustin May Following His Acquisition
The Cardinals’ decision to sign pitcher Dustin May has raised eyebrows given his injury-plagued past and inconsistent recent performances. Previously regarded as a promising talent with the Los Angeles Dodgers, May’s career has faced setbacks due to multiple injuries. Last July, the Dodgers traded him to the Boston Red Sox, aiming for a fresh start, but he struggled to secure a spot in manager Alex Cora’s rotation.
Despite these challenges, May has pitched 324 innings across his career, making him eligible for free agency this winter. The Cardinals contracted him for one year at $12 million, a deal seen as a calculated gamble by Bloom. However, Tim Kelly from Bleacher Report warned about May’s uncertain impact for the 2026 season.
Dustin May is the type of pitcher that it makes sense for Chaim Bloom and a rebuilding Cardinals team to take a risk on. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t still a chance—maybe a high chance, even—that May doesn’t work out,
Kelly wrote.
The 28-year-old right-hander from Texas made a career-high 23 starts between the Dodgers and Red Sox last year, compiling a 7-11 record with a 4.96 ERA over 132.1 innings. After his trade to Boston, May recorded a 1-4 record with a 5.40 ERA in just 28.1 innings across six appearances, a performance that likely influenced the Red Sox’s decision to let him move on.
Dustin May’s Role in the Cardinals’ Uncertain Rebuild Strategy
The signing of Dustin May could prove beneficial or detrimental to the Cardinals, depending largely on his ability to stay healthy and perform. Bloom’s roster restructuring also includes trades that brought Richard Fitts, Hunter Dobbins, and Brandon Clarke from Boston, replacing outgoing players such as Gray and Contreras. This new rotation, however, still poses many questions, most notably about May’s durability and contribution.
May is only 28, and the Cardinals are rebuilding, so he’s an intriguing person to take a shot on. But if history is any indication, he’ll spend much of his one-year, $12 million deal on the injured list,
Kelly wrote.
The Cardinals also lost veteran pitcher Miles Mikolas to free agency, as he signed with the Washington Nationals. Bloom’s wager on May’s revival is significant, indicating hopes that the 28-year-old can regain form and provide value, either as a contributor on the mound or as a trade asset at midseason. The outcome of this gamble will be a key factor in evaluating the efficacy of the St. Louis Cardinals rebuild going forward.
