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By Steve Adams | November 24, 2025 at 1:48pm CDT

The Cardinals and catcher Yohel Pozo are in the final stages of agreeing to a new deal for the 2026 season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Pozo was non-tendered by St. Louis on Friday. It’ll presumably be a minor league deal between the two parties.

Pozo, 28, logged 67 games with the Cardinals in 2025 and tallied 188 plate appearances — both career-high marks at the MLB level. He hit just .231/.262/.375 in that time, however — well shy of league-average (even relative to other catchers, where offense is lighter than that of the average position). Pozo delivered a handful of clutch pinch-hits, endearing himself to many in the Cardinals fanbase. He’s now a .248/.278/.376 hitter with six home runs in 245 MLB plate appearances.

Pozo hit well with the Cardinals’ top minor league affiliate in Memphis, albeit in a sample of just five games. He’s a career .321/.343/.525 hitter in Triple-A, with a significant portion of his time spent in an extraordinarily hitter-friendly Las Vegas setting (with the Athletics’ Triple-A club). Pozo draws decent grades for his framing and has regularly posted strong caught-stealing rates in the minor leagues.

While Pozo isn’t going to jump to the top of the depth chart anytime soon, he’ll give the Cards some additional depth along with Jimmy Crooks, Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages. Pozo has a full slate of minor league options, so if the Cards do add him to the 40-man roster, he can be shuttled freely between St. Louis and Memphis without first needing to be exposed to waivers.

I like it. Good bench depth.

I sometimes think how big of a shame it is that Pozo didn't play before the NL DH. He could've probably carved a nice career out of being a pinch hitter/back-up catcher/back up first baseman.

This would be a good thing. If the Cardinals go with Herrera and Pages/Crooks as catcher, the presence of Pozo allows them to look at deals for either Pages or Crooks. They needed this type of insurance to make a move with one of these guys.

Can’t say I dislike the move but I wonder why? With all the depth we have at catcher then I wonder if this solidifies Cards trading some of the younger guys, or Pozo?

Jatalk wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 14:03 pm Can’t say I dislike the move but I wonder why? With all the depth we have at catcher then I wonder if this solidifies Cards trading some of the younger guys, or Pozo?

I wouldn't be opposed to trading some of the catching depth.

He's a RH bat with some pop which we have very little of and he doesn't cost anything.

Not bad defensively.

No surprise considering where the ballclub is.

Now Bloom can add P. Pages into any deal he makes or trade him solo.

Considering injuries to the C position, it's important to have talented backup. Thumbs up!

rockondlouie wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 14:08 pm Now Bloom can add P. Pages into any deal he makes or trade him solo.

+10

probably has an opt-out clause...."If by May 1st, not added to 26man, he can choose FA"

Hang the World Series banner!

POZO——-these Bloom deals……..feel amazingly like MO deals

Goldfan wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 15:18 pm POZO——-these Bloom deals……..feel amazingly like MO deals

They signed a guy to a minor league contract every team does it including the dodgers. I don’t get why anyone would complain about a solid depth move

rockondlouie wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 14:08 pm Now Bloom can add P. Pages into any deal he makes or trade him solo.

Yep, this depth will open up a move for Pages or Crooks most likely

Ozziesfan41 wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 15:23 pm

Goldfan wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 15:18 pm POZO——-these Bloom deals……..feel amazingly like MO deals

They signed a guy to a minor league contract every team does it including the dodgers. I don’t get why anyone would complain about a solid depth move

Why am I seeing Mets and Rangers making a trade. Every trade, position filled, deal is an opportunity lost. I could give 2 chits about POZO
Bloom……start dealing your Cards….or you’re going to be holding them…..just like our MO

You need plenty of catchers for bullpens, split squad games and backfield work during spring training. Nothing wrong with some organizational depth.