Cardinals Face Tough Choices: John King’s Future Uncertain Before Non-Tender Deadline
As the St. Louis Cardinals navigate the offseason following the conclusion of the World Series, they find themselves at a crossroads, particularly regarding the status of veteran reliever John King. With the Major League Baseball non-tender deadline looming on November 21, decisions are pressing for the franchise.
The Non-Tender Deadline Approaches
This deadline pertains to players on the 40-man roster who have accrued fewer than six years of MLB service time. It requires teams to evaluate their current roster and determine whether to extend contract offers or allow players to enter free agency. In the Cardinals’ case, the stakes are high as they weigh the future of several players, including King, amidst a broader reassessment of their roster.
Evaluating John King’s Performance
King’s trajectory has been anything but steady. The left-handed reliever, who recently celebrated the birth of his first child, has seen a notable decline in his performance. After finishing the 2024 season with a respectable ERA of 2.85, his numbers took a sharp turn in 2025, soaring to 4.66. Such a drop raises questions about his viability on a team looking to sharpen its competitive edge moving forward.
MLB.com’s John Denton highlighted King’s precarious position, noting the difficult choices that lie ahead for the Cardinals. “The Cardinals have until Nov. 21 to decide which players they will not tender contracts to for the 2026 season,” Denton remarked. The mention of King as a potential non-tender candidate underscores the reality that the organization is not just looking to reshape its roster but is also weighing the implications of each contract decision carefully.
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals’ offseason is set to be filled with discussions beyond just trade rumors involving marquee names like Nolan Arenado and Sonny Gray. As the organization grapples with the future of its veteran players, the fate of John King will likely be a significant talking point. With the non-tender deadline fast approaching, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Cardinals choose to handle this pivotal moment in their offseason strategy.
