Bold statement: The Cardinals’ roster moves signal a shift toward younger, unproven depth rather than immediate reinforcement, and Matt Koperniak’s DFA leaves a question mark over his future in the organization. But here’s where it gets controversial: is designating a reliable defender with some on-base skills a smart use of a 40-man spot in a rebuild, or a missed opportunity to test the player in a higher-leverage situation? And this is the part most people miss: even reputable minor leaguers can fall victim to organizational timing and depth charts, not just performance.
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The St. Louis Cardinals designated outfielder Matt Koperniak for assignment, a move that coincides with the formal signing of right-hander Dustin May to their major-league roster. Koperniak, who will turn 28 in February, joined the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and worked his way through the minors from 2021 to 2023, accumulating 1,399 plate appearances with a productive line across those seasons. His walk rate of 10.1% and strikeout rate of 16.1% were solid, and he posted a combined slash line of .293/.375/.441, translating to a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 112, meaning he was about 12% above league average with the bat during that span.
In 2024, Koperniak reached Triple-A for the first full season and produced his best power and on-base numbers to date, hitting 20 homers while slashing .309/.370/.512, for a 128 wRC+. While some of that success may have been aided by a .351 batting average on balls in play, the Cardinals clearly saw enough to add him to the 40-man roster in November 2024 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
The 2025 season found Koperniak back at Triple-A on an optional assignment, and his numbers reflected a step back: 14 homers over a similar number of plate appearances, a .246/.317/.382 line, and an 85 wRC+. His BABIP settled at a more typical .283, tempering the earlier breakout.
With the Cardinals pursuing a rebuilding path and aiming to give younger players additional opportunities in 2026, Koperniak wouldn’t have been near the front of the outfield line after the 2025 showing. As a result, he was removed from the 40-man roster and placed in DFA limbo. The club will explore potential trade interest; if none emerges, Koperniak will go through waivers. He still has a couple of minor-league options remaining and is regarded as a strong defensive defender with versatility across all three outfield spots. If a team values his glove and depth, they could claim him and keep him in Triple-A as depth while hoping for a bounce-back at the plate.
Photo by Sam Navarro, Imagn Images
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