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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Thomas Saggese #25 catches a fly ball in front of César Prieto #31 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning against the Houston Astros during a spring training game at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Today, the St. Louis Cardinals recalled infielder Cesar Prieto from Triple-A Memphis and optioned utility man Thomas Saggese. 

St. Louis is Making a Change After Persistent Struggles From Saggese

The Cardinals have been playing great baseball as of late, owning a record of 20-13. Currently, they only trail the red-hot Chicago Cubs in the division. 

St. Louis is shuffling its cards by sending down Saggese in exchange for his minor league counterpart. Since being acquired from the Rangers for Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton in 2023, he has struggled to find his footing as an everyday player. 

Saggese’s most prolific tool in the minor leagues was his bat. This season, he’s slashing a measly .170/.228/.208. The multi-purpose glove of Saggese has seen time at multiple positions, including left field, second base, and shortstop. 

The Cardinals’ new front office regime moved on from their last utility player, Brendan Donovan, over the offseason. Donovan was a 2025 All-Star and owns the first-ever utility Gold Glove award. It might be safe to say Saggese hasn’t filled the role that was left for him. 

Saggese’s no-batting-gloves approach hasn’t done him justice thus far. His options have given the Cardinals’ front office flexibility to reset him in the minor leagues. 

Saggese Still has a Place in St. Louis, Just not Right Now

Although his bat has stalled, Saggese remains an above-average fielder by the metrics. His positional flexibility and glove work have value. However, he’ll need to find consistency in the box if there’s any lane for a comeback this season. Until he returns, another player recouped from the same sell-off will take his place. 

Prieto, 26, was retained in the trade that sent Jack Flaherty to the Baltimore Orioles. At the time, Baltimore was sporting one of the better farm systems in baseball, and Prieto was a well-established bat in their system. This season, the left-hander is demolishing Triple-A arms. His .923 OPS in 28 games earned him a recall after a dreadful cup of coffee in the 2025 season. Prieto will look to provide a spark off the bench for a Cardinals lineup that’s been full of welcome surprises. 

The Cardinals are Redefining ‘Rebuild’ 

Some fans have been wondering if all of St. Louis’ early success will change their long-term plans. Analysts have deemed that the team’s season weighs heavily on the shoulders of a young duo. 

“The conversation is basically, are you buying into Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt?” said Brandon Kiley on 101espn. “Everybody else, I could see them [staying] right about where they’re at right now. For me, man, I think I am!” 

If the Cardinals want to bolster their offensive juggernaut, they’ve made the right decision. Prieto gives St. Louis a better lineup today than they had with Saggese. The Cardinals aren’t chasing competitiveness; they’re in a dead pursuit of clarity, a word that long evaded the former front office regime. 

This move signifies the urgency with which the organization is now operating. After a series win over the Dodgers, the Cardinals will have the Brew Crew coming to town. Most teams that recently won six in a row and took a series from baseball’s defending champs wouldn’t feel pressured to make a change; that’s what’s different about this Cardinals team.