Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak announced that shortstop Masyn Winn underwent a minor procedure to remove a cyst from his hand, with stitches recently removed. This surgery is not expected to interfere with his offseason training (as reported by John Denton of MLB.com). The 22-year-old Winn was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season, posting a solid .267/.314/.416 line with 15 homers, 32 doubles, five triples, and 11 stolen bases, along with excellent defense at shortstop. He struggled in the final month (.196/.234/.382), possibly affected by the cyst, but still showed promise for the future.
Mozeliak also provided positive updates on right-hander Sonny Gray and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero, both of whom ended the season on the injured list due to arm inflammation. Gray is expected to have a normal offseason, while Romero is easing into a throwing program. With the Cardinals shifting focus toward youth and rebuilding their farm system, both veterans could be trade candidates. Gray, under contract through 2026 with a full no-trade clause, posted a 3.84 ERA in 166 1/3 innings this season, while Romero, a valuable left-handed reliever, recorded a 3.36 ERA and is under club control for two more years.
In organizational changes, newly appointed assistant GM Rob Cerfolio will be tasked with hiring a director of performance and a farm director to integrate the Cardinals’ player development and performance departments, working under Chaim Bloom. Mozeliak indicated that these changes are aimed at maximizing collaboration within the team. Additionally, the Cardinals plan to focus on opportunities for younger players as they prepare for 2025, signaling an organizational shift toward youth and player development.
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