The St. Louis Cardinals' rebuild is well underway and the on-field results will likely get worse before they get better.

The Cardinals have already started hoarding assets for the future via trades that sent out established veterans such as: third baseman Nolan Arenado, first baseman/catcher Willson Contreras, starting pitcher Sonny Gray and closer Ryan Helsley.

More veterans could be dealt before pitchers and catchers report to spring training and in the lead up to the 2026 trade deadline.

St. Louis also has five top 100 prospects per MLB Pipeline. With the farm system, the prospects added to the organization and the top pieces currently on the major league team, there's a good chance the Cardinals will be able to put together a competitive team sometime in the future.

But it will likely take time for the Cardinals to get that point and it seems like popular betting sites are anticipating that.

Popular betting site FanDuel released its over-under win totals for major league teams in 2026 and St. Louis didn't receive favorable totals.

FanDuel has the Cardinals' over/under at 70 1/2 wins in 2026. That is the fourth-lowest over/under in the majors and third-to-last in the National League.

That mark is also last in the National League Central and six wins behind the team projected to finish fourth based on the over/under, the Pittsburgh Pirates (76 1/2 wins).

If those odds come to pass, it would be the second time in four seasons St. Louis has finished last in the NL Central. It would be the first time since the 1907-08 seasons the Cardinals have finished in last place twice in a four-season span.

St. Louis has some things to look forward to going into '26. The organization's top prospect and the No. 5 prospect in baseball (per MLB Pipeline), infielder JJ Wetherholt, is expected to break camp with the team and have a starting role with the club.

One of the Cardinals' trade additions, right-handed starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins, will also make his team debut at some point. He's been recovering from an ACL tear he suffered July 11.

Between those two players, and the anticipated follow-ups for Gold Glove-winning shortstop Masyn Winn and Silver Slugger-winning utility player Alec Burleson, there are reasons for fans to have some excitement about the roster.

St. Louis' will likely take a lot of different shapes before it gets back to contendership. But many of the players on the current roster can cement themselves as part of the team's future this upcoming season.

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