Earlier this week, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera said he was committed to playing for Team Panama in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, as long as he is healthy.

That's a big get for Panama, and a nice honor for Herrera, but it also begs the question: Is he going to be the only Cardinals player who participates in the WBC?

About Herrera

A 25-year-old from Panama, Herrera made his major league debut in 2022. Since then, he's hit .286 with a .370 on-base percentage, also popping 24 career home runs. Nineteen of those came in 2025, along with 66 RBIs. It was by far his most productive big-league season, as 2022 and 2023 represented brief cameos in the big leagues. 

He carried an OPS+ of 136 and will represent one of the best offensive options for the Cardinals by the time the offseason rebuild is over.

Which other Cardinals players could play in WBC?

Well, Willson Contreras was a likely selection for Venezuela, but he's been traded to the Boston Red Sox. Lars Nootbaar helped Team Japan win the 2023 event, but he's rehabbing from foot injuries.

Masyn Winn is an elite defender, but the Americans have already filled shortstop with Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson. Brendan Donovan has expressed interest in playing, but he hasn't been linked to the official Team USA roster, and there's no guarantee he's on the Cardinals roster by the WBC, either.

Nolan Arenado has previously played for Team USA and could appear for Team Puerto Rico this time around, but he also is expected to be moved.

Outfield prospect Matt Koperniak played for Great Britain in 2023 and should be on the roster in 2026 - but he's not yet on the Cardinals' 40-man roster.

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A far cry from 2023

The Cardinals last made the playoffs in 2022, and they entered 2023 with a lot of talent. As a result, 19 different Cardinals suited up in the 2023 event, the most of any big-league team. If Herrera ends up being the only Cardinals' 40-man roster representative, it will be a sure sign of how far the organization has come since that place - and how much work Chaim Bloom has to do in rebuilding the whole thing.

Other Cardinals news and notes

--With just six weeks to go until spring training, teams around baseball will likely start operating with more senses of urgency. Will that spur teams into action with regards to trading for Donovan or Arenado?

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