Masyn Winn’s second season with the St. Louis Cardinals ended prematurely because of a nagging knee injury but the talented shortstop still struck gold.

Winn is recipient of the National League Rawlings Gold Glove for his defensive excellence.

At 23, he becomes the youngest Cardinal to receive the award and is the 100th honoree in the team’s history.

While the number of games played (129) stands out, Winn made just three errors in 501 total chances. He is indeed deserving of the award.

While Winn led the league at shortstop in the category of defensive runs saved in 2024, he made 18 errors. Gold Glove recognition would only come if he dramatically reduced his defensive missteps, many of which came on throws to first base.

He met the challenge and has joined elite company. The Cardinals shortstops to win a Gold Glove are Édgar Rentería (2002-03), Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith (1982-92) and Dal Maxvill (1968).

His three errors matched the Gold Glove low at shortstop, and he joins Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., and former Cleveland star Omar Vizquel in the rare air of that low a total.

 “I’m assuming those guys played a couple more games than I did, but to be able to go out there and be consistent, that’s all I’ve been asking for of myself,” Winn shared with John Denton of mlb.com.

“I wanted to show these guys what I could do in terms of being consistent. This season was huge for me by taking a step. It was a big step for me to drop my errors, which I expected of myself.”

Winn could have been alone in the Gold Glove record book with just two errors, but MLB overruled an official scorer in Miami on August 19, 2025. A recorded hit was later changed to an error on Winn.

With the Cardinals entering a re-tooling and/or rebuilding phase under Chaim Bloom, president of baseball operations, Winn should be an anchor for the team in the future.

But at what cost contractually.

According to Spotrac, which publishes player compensation, Winn received a $1.2 million signing bonus after being drafted in 2020.

He was paid $770,850 last season and will make $820,000 in 2026. Winn remains a bargain, but the Cardinals are hopefully preparing to make him one of MLB’s highest-paid shortstops.

Here are the Top Six in annual compensation:

Francisco Lindor, New York Mets ($34.1 million); Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins (33.3M); Corey Seager, Texas Rangers ($32.5M); Mookie Betts, L.A. Dodgers ($30.4M); Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies ($27.3M); Bobby Witt, Kansas City Royals ($26.3M).

Witt, 25, is the 2025 American League Gold Glove winner at shortstop.

Following the 2023 season, when Witt was 23, the Royals signed him to an 11-year, $288,777,777 contract, which included a $7.8 million signing bonus.

His average salary during the length of the contract is about $26 million and he holds a player option from 2031 to 2034.

The Royals hold a team option for the following four years, and Witt is not eligible for unrestricted free agency until 2038.

While Witt has been a superior offensive player, the Cardinals must consider paying Winn something in Witt’s neighborhood before he reaches free agency in 2029.

The Reid Roundup

St. Louis Cardinals centerfielder Victor Scott II was edged out by Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong for the NL Gold Glove at that position…Former CBC High School star Jeremiyah Love rushed for 136 yards, including a 94-yard touchdown run, and another TD in Notre Dame’s 25-10 win over Boston College. He added four receptions for 30 yards, and his NFL Draft stock has skyrocketed…Colorado coach Deion Sanders restricted players from the media following an embarrassing 52-17 loss to Arizona. He claims he was protecting his team because all fault lies with him…In a battle of big-name HBCU rookie head coaches, DeSean Jackson led Delaware State to a 27-20 win over Michael Vick’s Norfolk State squad last Thursday night in Philadelphia. DSU is favored to beat Morgan State and Howard before a Nov. 22 showdown with South Carolina State with a possible Celebration Bowl appearance on the line…James Franklin, fired by Penn State in October, is reportedly in “advanced talks” to take the open Virginia Tech job. 

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