Max Scherzer showcased his prowess during his spring training debut with the Toronto Blue Jays, pitching an impressive two innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. He struck out four of the six batters he faced, though he conceded an early run after Victor Scott II's triple and Alec Burleson’s sacrifice fly. Scherzer, now a Blue Jay after signing a one-year, US$15.5 million contract, has rejoined the ranks of baseball's elite, aiming for a successful season at 40.

Reliever Bowden Francis followed Scherzer's strong performance, allowing a solo home run but receiving support from the offense. Toronto tied the game with runs from Alejandro Kirk and a key hit from Davi Schneider, culminating in a 3-2 victory after Michael Stefanic's single gave the team its first lead.

The St. Louis Cardinals are facing an intriguing competition for their starting center fielder position ahead of the 2025 MLB season. After enduring a season plagued by injuries, several players, including Dylan Carlson and Lars Nootbaar, have returned to the lineup, raising questions about playing time. Victor Scott II and Michael Siani unexpectedly stepped into larger roles, with Siani showcasing solid defensive skills over 124 games last year, despite a lackluster offensive performance.

With a slash line of .228/.285/.570, two home runs, and 20 RBIs, Siani's performance leaves room for improvement. The competition is tight as Nootbaar, Scott, and Siani vie for the center field spot. Manager Oli Marmol has stressed that individual performance will not solely dictate playing time, which adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming spring training.

The St. Louis Cardinals concluded the 2024 season with an 83-79 record, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. As they enter a rebuilding phase, the Cardinals are shifting their strategy from acquiring new players to trading away veterans and focusing on youth development.

Tim Kelly from Bleacher Report highlighted that the Cardinals are in the bottom tier of teams for offseason spending, indicating a significant shift in their approach. Key veterans like Paul Goldschmidt and Kyle Gibson are expected to leave in free agency, while others such as Ryan Helsley and Nolan Arenado might be traded.

With a focus on player development, younger players like Thomas Saggese, Nolan Gorman, Ivan Herrera, and Victor Scott II are anticipated to see increased playing time. The upcoming offseason will be crucial for the Cardinals as they prioritize their future.

The St. Louis Cardinals finished the 2024 season with an 83-79 record, showing improvement from the previous year, but still facing challenges. Key players like Ryan Helsley and Alec Burleson delivered strong performances, while the team struggled with underwhelming production from high-paid stars such as Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt.

As the organization transitions under Chaim Bloom's leadership, the Cardinals aim to become younger and more cost-effective. This offseason will likely see significant changes, including potential trades of established players to revitalize the roster.