The St. Louis Cardinals were expected to be the most popular team on the trade market this offseason and that has proven true so far. As the holiday season approaches, the Cardinals have fully committed to the rebuild by dealing expensive veterans with more moves to follow.

Chaim Bloom has dealt Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras to Boston in exchange for cost-controlled arms

November 6: The Cardinals removed pitchers Zack Thompson, Roddery Munoz, Anthonzy Veneziano, and outfielder Michael Siani from the 40-man roster. They selected the contract of outfielder Bryan Torres, adding him to the 26-man roster.

November 18: Rule-5 Protection deadline. The Cardinals added catcher Leonardo Bernal, outfielder Joshua Baez, and pitchers Brycen Mautz and Cooper Hjerpe to the 40-man roster. Designated pitcher Jorge Alcala for assignment.

November 25: The offseason began with a bang when Chaim Bloom made good on his promise to trade from the major league roster in order to rebuild the farm system. In late November, Bloom called up his hold buddies in Boston and sent Sonny Gray and $20 million to the Red Sox in exchange for two young pitchers. The salary dump cleared some payroll space but also gave St. Louis a starting rotation candidate this year in Richard Fitts and an intriguing left-handed arm in Brandon Clarke.

November 26: Cardinals re-sign catcher Yohel Pozo to split contract, re-sign pitcher Sem Robberse to minor league deal. Signed pitcher Scott Blewett to minor league contract.

December 5: St. Louis claimed pitcher Zak Kent off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians.

December 10: Cardinals select pitcher Matt Pushard in the Rule-5 draft and lose pitcher Cade Winquest to the Yankees. Selected pitcher Ryan Murphy in the minor league portion of the draft, lost infielder Matt Lloyd and pitcher Zane Mills.

December 11: Winter Meetings in Orlando conclude.

December 17: Cardinals sign first major league free agent, ink right-handed pitcher Dustin May to one-year, $12 million deal. The contract contains a $20 million club option for 2027 or $500k buy out. Designated outfielder Matt Koperniak for assignment, who was outrighted to Memphis.

December 21: Cardinals trade first baseman Willson Contreras and $8 million to the Boston Red Sox. St. Louis receives pitchers Hunter Dobbins, Yhoiker Fajardo, and Blake Aita in return.

When the holiday season arrives, there is typically a transaction slowdown around the MLB. While it is possible that moves can still happen, team personnel and players seem to enjoy the time off after an offseason full of conversations and meetings to this point. Chaim Bloom and the Cardinals remain major players on the trade market as Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado are still on the team. Before the offseason comes to a conclusion, it is likely that one, if not both of them are dealt to another organization, potentially outside of Boston this time. On the other side of the ball, left-handed pitcher JoJo Romero remains a candidate to be traded, but rival GMs are starting to shell out cash rather than prospects to fill their bullpen needs.