Cardinals Trade Deadline Possibilities

Believe it or not, the trade deadline is next month, July 30 to be exact. Normally in early June, teams are gearing up for the MLB Draft. That has now been moved to the All Star Break so teams may be focusing a little more on potential trades. It’s still pretty early for teams to sell as a lot can change in a month and a half. The Cardinals have been riddled with injuries all around the roster. Currently on the IL include Jack Flaherty, Paul DeJong, Kwang Hyun Kim, Jordan Hicks, Miles Mikolas, & Harrison Bader.

Many fans have been clamoring for the Cardinal front office to make a trade or four. Remember, it takes two to tango. I undoubtedly believe they are making phone calls, checking the availability on numerous players. Just last week, President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak confirmed my belief saying they prefer to fill internally but the possibility of adding outside the organization is something that they have already begun looking into.

Where are Mo and General Manager Mike Girsch making the calls? What positions are they looking for? I think there are a few areas they should be addressing. SP, RP, & OF. Pitching I think is an obvious need. Their starting pitching is in shambles with three-fifths of their expected Opening Day rotation is on the IL. John Gant, who made the rotation because of the spring training injury to Mikolas, has been spectacular up until Sunday’s game. However, I anticipated him coming back to earth as he boasted the greatest difference between his ERA and xFIP. Even if everyone was healthy, it wouldn’t hurt to add a SP, but now, the need is more of a front of the line type guy. Coming into the season, if you said we would need to improve our bullpen, I thought you were crazy. That’s because entering the season, the Cardinals were expected to have one of the strongest bullpens in the majors. They have very good pieces, but the bane has been walks and hit batsmen. As for the outfield, I think if Bader can return healthy, our outfield will be fine. I don’t think we need to acquire a top end outfielder like Joey Gallo, I think we need to improve our 4th and 5th outfield spots because guys like Lane Thomas and Justin Williams (whom is now on the IL) aren’t getting it done. Though many people don’t want to admit it, Matt Carpenter has been hitting better of late. I think until Bader gets back, you will see more of him at second base, pushing Tommy Edman to right field. Let’s get in to the candidates of who I think the Cardinals should look into.

Starting Pitching

Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals – This is the name mostly everyone is hoping to see traded to the Cardinals. He is from the St. Louis area, went to Mizzou, and is in his walk year. The return may not be as much as you may think because he would only be a 2-3 month rental. I think if they agree to take on what he is owed the rest of the season, the prospects going to Washington might not be as much. That might sound a little crazy, but remember, the Cardinals are saving money currently by not having to pay Nolan Arenado, so they have a little flexibility there. 

Jon Gray & German Marquez, Colorado Rockies – Many people have been suggesting Jon Gray. I don’t blame them. He is certainly having a good year. However, I caution that and look at his career numbers. He has been up and down every year. He’s like Francisco Liriano was last decade, really good one year but bad the next. If they think he can continue his good year, by all means, acquire him. However, I think they need to focus on a different starter in Denver: German Marquez. When he is not pitching in Coors, his numbers have been very very good. His ERA is nearly a run and a half better on the road. He’s a solid strikeout pitcher and would be very good consolation prize to Scherzer. 

John Means, Baltimore Orioles – This is one of the unlikeliest in my opinion due to him not being a free agent until after the 2024 season, plus he recently was put on the IL. Since he has a few years remaining until free agency, the asking price would be rather high. I don’t think Baltimore would trade him as he is going to be their ace for the next few years. They do have a slew of prospects coming up, and if they want to continue to stockpile prospects, trading Means wouldn’t be such a bad idea. I think they could get 2 of a team’s top 10 prospects. 

Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals – Duffy is an interesting case. The Royals started off hot and one of the best teams in baseball but then had a long losing streak that brought that to the middle-back of the league. Duffy is currently on the injured list but is close to returning. He is also in the final year of his contract. I think if the Royals decide to see, Duffy would be traded closer to the July 30 deadline. 

Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins – Berrios fits in with Means in that I don’t see the Twins trading him unless they decide to blow their team up. He’s certainly one to keep an eye on if they decide to sell.

Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks – I’ll admit, this one is a pipe dream, especially since he’s been battling injuries this year. I really don’t see this happening at all, but he would be a nice piece for the next few years to go along with Flaherty. 

Alex Cobb, Los Angeles Angels – Unlike the last few, Cobb is one I definitely see moving if the Angels are out of it. Since he returned from injury last year, he has been a productive pitcher. He will likely be traded to a contender and could be an x-factor down the stretch. Should the Cardinals trade for him, he would fit nicely in the back half of the rotation.

Relief Pitchers

Ian Kennedy, Texas Rangers – This is the reliever I think Mo should target. The Rangers will likely be selling as they have the 2nd worst record in the American League. He is only making $2,150,00 so he wouldn’t amount to much payroll wise.

Brad Hand, Washington Nationals – Many people I have talked to are hoping the Cardinals trade for both Scherzer and Hand. I personally don’t see that happening for the sheer fact that the Nationals could get more in return in separate deals. Unless they are able to pry a top 3 prospect from a team, I see them in separate deals. Hand should be a top target as he is also in his walk year and would be a much welcomed addition as a 3rd lefty in the bullpen behind Andrew Miller and Genesis Cabrera. While he is a closer, I’m not sure how he would be deployed as Reyes has been looking very good so far, minus the walks. 

Joakim Soria, Arizona Diamondbacks – Aside from Kennedy, Soria is the other one on this list that I see certainly in a different uniform come August. Soria has been up and down in his 13 appearances. He started off rocky with a mid-7 ERA after his first couple appearances, but was able to get that down to nearly 3.50 once the calendar turned to June. However, as of this writing, his last 2 appearances haven’t been great, allowing 3 ER total, raising his ERA to 5.25. I think his veteran leadership will be welcomed in any contending club’s bullpen.

Taylor Rogers & Alex Colome, Minnesota Twins – The Twins relievers have been a tale of two different stories. Rogers has been fairly solid. He would also be a lefty that would slide into the pen and be a late inning reliever. He has closed before, but could be seen as more of a setup guy. Colome on the other hand has struggled mightily since signing with the Twins this past offseason. A change of scenery could be good for him. He’s not the pitcher he has shown so far this season. He has been one of the better closers the past few seasons. I just don’t think he’s a great fit in Minnesota.

Richard Rodriguez, Pittsburgh Pirates – This one is difficult to imagine just due to the fact teams don’t trade within the division very often. Rodriguez has been one of the more under the radar relievers because he plays in Pittsburgh. The Pirates made a flurry of offseason trades, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they traded a few more by the deadline. 

Gregory Soto, Detroit Tigers – Soto is an interesting case. He’s under team control through 2025. He’s steadily improved each season however, he still needs to improve his walk rate (he’d fit right in wouldn’t he!). He has split time at closer but would likely be one of the lefty relievers that the Cardinals can turn to since they DFA’d Tyler Webb (and ultimately sent him to Memphis).

Outfield

Anthony Santander & Cedric Mullins – Unlikely to happen, but both Santander and Mullins could provide a spark for the Cardinals either off the bench or in the lineup, depending on how they would be used. Mullins would likely be plugged in centerfield and is a speedster that has thrived at the top of the lineup this season. With Edman doing well at the top, I would wonder if they would keep Edman at the top or slide him down to the 2 spot so they can move Carlson to the 5th or 6th spot in the order. Santander has 30 home run power if he plays full time. He had been a part time player the past couple seasons and has been sidelined with and injury earlier this season. He would be the perfect 4th outfielder for the Cardinals I think.

Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners – The Mariners could be looking to deal Haniger who could be a non-tender candidate for the Mariners since they have their top outfield prospects waiting in the wings. I would think Haniger would start for the Cardinals, especially if Bader is out. An outfield of O’Neill in LF, Carlson in CF, and Haniger in RF would be solid.

Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks – If Mo wanted to make a splash in the outfield, Marte would fit the bill. The former All Star had a down 2020, but is having a great bounceback season this year. As of this writing, he’s slashing .382/.417/.607. He would likely take centerfield over but can also play a little second and short. 

The guys I have mentioned are probably too high profile guyus to be a 4th outfielder, unless they pull a Marte trade and have Bader be the 4th OF (unless he’s involved in the trade). So if I’m the Cardinals front office, what trades would I actually make?

I am trading Junior Fernandez, Malcolm Nunez, & a lower prospect (outside the top 30) for Max Scherzer, all while taking on the rest of Scherzer’s salary, which in theory should reduce the quality of prospects going back to Washington. I am also trading away Julio Rodriguez & Patrick Romeri for Ian Kennedy. These 2 moves would definitely help our rotation and bullpen. I could see a smaller addition where we get a LHP for the bullpen as well, but that might come internally, like a Bernardo Flores and/or a smaller trade where we improve our bench.

There are more moves that I think they should make but you don’t see teams making 5 major trades at the deadline, so we will stick with this. If we have a fully healthy club, I think we will be okay. The pitchers have apparently been told to be aggressive, which is why the walks and hit batsmen have been up. If they can get that under control (no pun intended), the 2nd half of the season could be a very strong one in St. Louis.