Chaim Bloom has taken his first step toward assuming greater responsibility as he prepares to succeed John Mozeliak as the St. Louis Cardinals’ president of baseball operations after the 2025 season. That step involved hiring a new assistant general manager.
The Cardinals announced on Tuesday that Rob Cerfolio, former director of player development for the Cleveland Guardians, will be their new assistant general manager, focusing on player development and performance.
“We are excited to welcome Rob and his family to the Cardinals,” Mozeliak said in the announcement. “His approach to player development and performance aligns perfectly with our vision, and he has been a key figure in an organization that has stayed at the forefront of the industry while prioritizing people.”
Cerfolio, 32, held various roles over his nine-year tenure with the Guardians, including assistant and director of player development. During his time with Cleveland, the team consistently excelled through internal player development, despite limited spending in free agency.
If Cerfolio can bring some of the strategies he implemented in Cleveland to St. Louis, this hiring could be a pivotal move in getting the Cardinals back on track with Bloom leading the way.
What is the St. Louis Cardinals’ plan is going forward?
The Cardinals were one of the more disappointing teams in baseball during the 2024 season. Despite having veteran stars like third baseman Nolan Arenado and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, they ended the year with an 83-79 record and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
However, change is on the horizon. Longtime president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, is set to step down after the 2025 season, with Chaim Bloom, currently serving as his advisor, poised to take over. The Cardinals hope that Bloom, who previously held key roles with the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, can revitalize the front office and lead the team back to the top of the National League Central.
Hiring Cerfolio is a promising first step, aligning with Bloom’s analytical philosophy that emphasizes internal player development over expensive, long-term free agency deals.
Times are shifting in St. Louis, and while this is just Bloom’s initial move, it may signal the future direction of the Cardinals.
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