Buckle up, Cardinals fans – the addition of Dustin May to the St. Louis Cardinals could be the game-changer their pitching staff desperately needs for the 2026 season! But here's where it gets controversial: is this 'splash' signing enough to stabilize a rotation riddled with uncertainties, or is it just a temporary Band-Aid on a deeper wound? Let's dive into the details and explore how this move might reshape the team's future on the mound.
For the upcoming 2026 roster, I'm labeling Saturday's acquisition of Dustin May as a major 'splash' for the Cardinals organization. Up until now, their most notable dealings involved subtracting talent from the starting rotation, but this new addition brings a much-needed sense of steadiness to a lineup filled with question marks. Of course, 'stability' can be a tricky term when it comes to May, who's no stranger to scrutiny, but he represents the kind of top-tier pitcher the team has been craving. Even during a rebuild phase, a $15 million commitment naturally brings high hopes for delivering big-league performance.
May's arrival positions him as a strong contender for the Opening Day starter role, and it's clear that Cardinals supporters are eagerly anticipating him stepping up as the team's ace. Given the current weaknesses in the pitching squad, I think it's reasonable to expect the 28-year-old to deliver, especially with his history of dazzling pitches that the team has been missing. Just last week, I pondered aloud in my piece whether a six-man rotation could be a viable option for the Cardinals – and signing May keeps that intriguing possibility on the table for me. I want to apologize upfront for this hastily assembled article; my originally planned content became obsolete after Saturday's announcement. That said, this development has sparked fresh thoughts on how May could influence the 2026 pitching rotation. Keep in mind, everything could shift—and potentially fast—with additional moves. I don't foresee the Cardinals wrapping up their rotation dealings just yet, but based on the current landscape, here's my take on May's potential impact.
I still stand by the idea of a potential six-man rotation
As I noted earlier, my question from last week's article about experimenting with a six-man rotation still holds water, despite no official buzz from the organization. For beginners curious about this concept, a six-man rotation means expanding the starting pitcher lineup beyond the traditional five starters, allowing more frequent rest or opportunities for pitchers to build stamina. It's not unheard of in baseball history—teams like the New York Yankees have toyed with similar setups in the past to manage workloads and prevent injuries. May, who pitched 132 innings last season and is entering his second year post-Tommy John surgery, shouldn't face major inning limits, even with his past setbacks. Since it's a one-year contract, the Cardinals will likely push him to maximize his value this season by getting as many innings as possible to prove his durability.
In a six-man setup, starters might aim for around 27 starts each, and with May averaging 5.42 innings per outing last year, that could push him toward nearly 150 innings—a personal best. Instead of a permanent expanded staff, deploying that extra starter once or twice a month could help hit those numbers if the team chooses. His inclusion is a welcome boost in my book, especially since the whole rotation had a shot at setting new season-high innings records, and May has the potential to achieve that in a 27-start campaign.
While I admit this approach is unlikely to become reality, I believe it could serve as a smart, purposeful strategy if implemented thoughtfully. And this is the part most people miss: in a sport where pitcher fatigue can derail entire seasons, experimenting with rotations might just be the innovative edge teams need to stay competitive. But here's where it gets controversial—do you think MLB is ready for more widespread use of six-man rotations, or would it disrupt the game's traditional rhythm?
Who does this impact most?
Without any public statements from the team, I'll point directly to Andre Pallante as the one most affected. Though his performance in the second half might not have been as dire as his 0-0 record suggests, this signing could ramp up the pressure on the former reliever. If the Cardinals skip my six-man idea, they'll need to reshuffle their current setup, bumping someone out. With Liberatore, McGreevy, and Leahy already slated for rotation spots, I still assume Fitts could snag a spot on the 26-man roster by Opening Day. Perhaps the team views him more as a swing-man like Steven Matz rather than a full-time starter, but I suspect they'd prefer him starting.
That leaves Pallante as the most logical candidate to get squeezed out. His stats are comparable whether he's starting or relieving, so switching roles wouldn't mean a huge gain or loss for the team—just a straightforward adjustment. The starting order remains a mystery and will likely get ironed out during Spring Training, but my early guess is Matthew Liberatore as the de facto number one due to his organizational seniority, with May sliding into the number two spot. After that, I'd slot in Michael McGreevy, then Fitts, and Leahy in the fifth to help him transition into a starter's load. Pallante could fill that sixth-starter role I'd like to see, but I'd prefer a high-upside prospect or another big-league addition stepping in for that uncertain position instead.
What's left for the pitching staff this offseason?
The top priority before Dustin May can officially join the fold is clearing a spot on the 40-man roster. With the recent Rule-5 selection of Matt Pushard, the roster is at capacity, so someone will have to go. If it's as simple as releasing someone like Zak Kent, we might see the signing announced as soon as tomorrow. But if there's silence, it could signal a trade brewing involving a current roster member. The timing of the announcement will reveal a lot, in my view.
Beyond sorting out who's cut from the five-man rotation, General Manager Chaim Bloom faces a key decision on JoJo Romero's future ahead of Spring Training. Rumors are swirling that a trade involving Brendan Donovan might gain momentum, but swapping Romero could also free up the needed roster spot for May. Currently, Romero seems poised to take over as the team's closer, so trading him might allow Matt Svanson to step into the ninth-inning duties. However, reports from Derrick Goold indicate that both Svanson and Gordon Graceffo are on a multi-inning reliever development plan, potentially filling the 'fireman' role vacated by Leahy's shift to starting.
I anticipate a Romero trade coming soon, followed by a Donovan deal, each of which could shed light on the major-league pitching staff. I still expect the Cardinals to pursue established arms from the major leagues or advanced minors in return. A Romero exit would leave the team without a left-handed option in the bullpen, leaving only Liberatore and Brycen Mautz as southpaws on the 40-man roster. This might push St. Louis to seek one or two lefty pitchers in trade negotiations to maintain balance.
Overall, I'm enthusiastic about the Cardinals locking in Dustin May on a one-year pact, viewing the mutual option as more of a technicality. I've highlighted him as a potential target multiple times over the past year, and despite his recent challenges, this signing demonstrates an ongoing dedication to revitalizing the organization's pitching. While May embodies the kind of talent a rebuilding team craves, it shouldn't be their last tweak to the big-league staff. And this is the part most people miss: in a rebuild, every move like this builds momentum, but true success hinges on how these pieces fit together long-term.
What do you think, fans? Is Dustin May the ace the Cardinals need, or are they overlooking other priorities? Do you agree with exploring a six-man rotation, or is it too risky? Share your thoughts and disagreements in the comments below—let's keep the conversation going!
