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Trade Deadline Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals

By Tim Dierkes | July 15, 2025 at 11:35pm CDT

The Cardinals reached the All-Star break in a tricky position.  With about 40% of their season remaining, they're only 1.5 games back in the Wild Card and have a real shot at the playoffs.  That's the case despite an offseason in which they did not attempt to improve the club, in what longtime president of baseball operations John Mozeliak termed a "reset."  And Mozeliak will be navigating the July 31st deadline as a lame duck, given the club's stated plan to give his job to Chaim Bloom for the 2026 season.

Mozeliak put it this way nine days ago (Katie Woo of The Athletic reporting): "I do feel like where we are in the week leading up, or the 72 hours leading up to the trading deadline, may affect how we make our decisions."  He further explained, "When we talk about all-in, I do think based on where the franchise is, based on payroll down and thinking more of the long view, we’re still trying to balance today’s success with ultimately having long-term success."

Record: 51-46 (28.5% playoff probability, per FanGraphs)

Buy Mode

Potential needs: Right-handed bat, pitching depth

Regarding the transition to Bloom, Mozeliak said, "When we get closer to the deadline, if there’s something that could impact how the future looks, clearly we’ll take a look at in a more collaborative sense."

With relative stability on the pitching staff, Mozeliak's deadline focus on the buy side may be on an offense that ranks fifth in the National League with 4.58 runs scored per game.  Within that respectable showing, however, is a team that ranks 10th in the NL with an 88 wRC+ against left-handed pitching.

Mozeliak acknowledged the deficiency but also said, "I do feel like where they’re going to be in a week or two is not a glaring hole in terms of trading deadline thoughts," given Ivan Herrera's July 13th activation and minor injuries affecting other righty bats like Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras.

Brendan Donovan has been an everyday player, generally at second base, despite consistent struggles against southpaws over the last three seasons.  Alec Burleson, currently deployed in the corner outfield, has been similar.  Center fielder Victor Scott II has sat against some lefties in the last month in favor of Garrett Hampson.  Lars Nootbaar, on the IL for a left costochondral sprain, had been sitting here or there against lefties but often with Donovan or Burleson in his spot and Thomas Saggese getting the start at second base.

Given that Mozeliak said "I don’t think we’re ever going to take away from the guys we’re trying to see play," it may be difficult to find the ideal addition.  An improvement over Hampson as Scott's platoon partner could be one answer.  Perhaps a call to the White Sox regarding Austin Slater or Michael A. Taylor of the White Sox would make sense.  A homecoming for Randal Grichuk could work, though he hasn't played much center in recent years.  Maybe the Astros will find Chas McCormick expendable once he completes his rehab assignment for an oblique strain.

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2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Front Office Originals MLBTR Originals St. Louis Cardinals

Trade Deadline Outlook: Cincinnati Reds
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Trade Deadline Outlook: Milwaukee Brewers
View Comments (123)
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123 Comments

  1. eatonculo

    1 month ago

    I’m a Cardinals fan. If they don’t sell at the deadline, I’m going to be pissed.

    13
    Reply
    • cwsOverhaul

      1 month ago

      Tough position in that there aren’t a lot of surplus value players from perspective of buyers that would compel them to give up much. Helsley is just a rental making decent money not having a great season. Best thing that can happen is clarity rest of July be it getting on a roll to make them a cautious buyer or hit the skids.

      3
      Reply
      • Rsox

        1 month ago

        Cards aren’t selling as long as they are in it. Outfield help is a must. They mention a “homecoming” for Grichuck but Adolis Garcia makes sense here too. Pitching depth is something everyone needs so that may be a tougher task

        3
        Reply
        • Stevil

          1 month ago

          Have you seen their schedule? August is tough, September is brutal.

          4
          Reply
    • Win Cor

      1 month ago

      No reason to sell. Ride it out and sign a Pitcher and a Right handed hitting OF.

      2
      Reply
      • El Kabong

        1 month ago

        They would have to trade for those players.

        1
        Reply
    • King. Of. Cards

      1 month ago

      Its like last year. The team is probably not good enough but its good enough not to sell. And they don’t have a lot of valuable trade chips anyways. Helsley and Maton sure but not much else.

      1
      Reply
      • sean-11

        1 month ago

        Donovan and Nootbaar?

        1
        Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          1 month ago

          Donovan and Nootbaar are under control through 2027. Why would they trade them?

          1
          Reply
        • Jimmy Racer

          1 month ago

          If you want to bring needed starting pitching then they will have to trade Donovan and some other players. There are replacements in the pipeline for Donovan such as Weatherholt, Prieto, Sagesse, and there’s a dark horse in Memphis named Torres.

          3
          Reply
        • Gary R

          1 month ago

          And who would want these 2? St Louis should have gotten rid of them two years ago. Stuck now!

          1
          Reply
        • Cardinals0611

          1 month ago

          Donovan’s an all star dude

          1
          Reply
        • dad

          1 month ago

          As much as I hate to say this They better trade Nootbaar , he’s stepping in the bucket,he’s starting to look like another Carlson.

          Reply
  2. yankee tough guy

    1 month ago

    I don’t think they’ll beat any of the top five NL teams in the postseason so They should sell Or stand pat. They should do a dumpster dive with whatever is left at the deadline.

    5
    Reply
    • Rsox

      1 month ago

      The playoffs are such a crapshoot though, all it takes is getting hot at the right time and all of a sudden you’re in the World Series

      2
      Reply
      • King. Of. Cards

        1 month ago

        Yes and that is exactly what happened in 2006 and 2011 when the Cardinals won it all. 2006 was an 83 win team and in 2011 nobody gave them a chance against the Phillies. Once you get in anything can happen.

        Reply
        • Manfred Rob's Earth Band

          1 month ago

          Except it won’t this year for the Cards.

          1
          Reply
  3. uvmfiji

    1 month ago

    Why do they have so many meh prospects? That offense. Ooph. Is anyone developing them?

    1
    Reply
    • Win Cor

      1 month ago

      They are doing pretty good. and just need tweaks.

      1
      Reply
    • tektmz

      1 month ago

      They haven’t been. For years the Cardinals have had the least amount of minor league coaches across the league. Thankfully Bloom is pouring money into that area.

      Reply
  4. Redsman59

    1 month ago

    Sell what and why? They won’t get anything substantial from the pending free agents. It’s like they are getting a free shot at a championship. Yes, they will be the biggest underdog if they get in but if they make a run that’s a bunch of income for next years team.

    3
    Reply
    • Win Cor

      1 month ago

      Totally correct!

      Reply
    • snakebyte32

      1 month ago

      Absolutely agree with this, but just looking at it who could they trade and replace internally with more control? Won’t sell Walker for the bag of balls he would be currently valued at. Nootbar would be selling low. Donovon is fantastic, but basically Tommy Edman 2.0. I mean that as a compliment, but it also means he is a complimentary player that would mostly be valued on a stacked team that does not need him so the prospect capitol for such a trade is not sufficient. I do not see Arenado waiving his no trade clause mid season. Leaves Maton, Helsley, Matz, Gorman, Herrera, Burleson, and Liberatore as players with some value to a contender. Not a one of these players really move the needle much. Herrera is basically a DH and I know Burleson is much improved defensively in the OF but do any teams outside of STL even realize this or would his stick be the only thing they see? My point is that I mostly agree with you because it is absolutely the right move for a team that isn’t intent on losing the rest of the season to improve draft position and there is not enough intriguing return for the actual talent you have available.

      Reply
      • stan lee the manly

        1 month ago

        If the Cardinals told Arenado that they are selling and giving up on the season, he would 100% waive his no trade to go to a contender. He’s been very clear that he wants to win, there’s zero reason why that would have changed between the offseason and now.

        1
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        • snakebyte32

          1 month ago

          I don’t know. Young kids at home change some thought processes a bit, but probably less than a public educated family would have. I still think it would depend heavily on which contender you are talking about. Other than some salary relief and the opening on the roster the Cards won’t really gain anything by dealing him off. Arenado would be a great fit on a couple of the contenders rosters but with his salary and current offensive production I don’t see much prospect capital coming back without paying down the contract some, and if you are paying down the contract why not keep him as “the veteran presence” in the clubhouse moving forward. With the time left on his contract, I would hold on to him and hope he retires on a winner with this franchise in a couple of years. He could come out and demand a trade of course, but he has not done that and I don’t see management blowing up the roster enough to get it to that point. The money on the books all have NTC so they can’t really blow up the roster anyway without player consent.

          Reply
        • ih8tepaperstraws

          1 month ago

          Problem with that thought logic is that the Cardinals won’t be winning in a few years for him to go out on. Unless a major change in approach, his contract still lines up with the current no hope period.

          But the Yankees and Mariners both need 3B help in a bad way and have the money to take on the contract. There will definitely be buyers for Arenado if he is willing to move.

          Reply
        • stan lee the manly

          1 month ago

          There is a huge difference between “the Cardinals not trading him” and “Arenado not waiving his no-trade clause”. You specifically said the latter and I’m just pointing out that that will not be the reason he’s not traded if a contender is interested.

          1
          Reply
        • snakebyte32

          1 month ago

          100% true. I said I didn’t see him waiving his NTC. I still don’t really see it honestly, because I don’t think they will be able to blow up the roster to the extent that you indicate that they will be giving up on the season entirely. Do you think they will do so sitting 5 games over .500 at the all-star break? Even if they play the next 10 games like the last 10 before the break they will be over .500 and within striking distance of a playoff birth. So I could stipulate every reason he might waive his NTC. I mean if STL were in first place and L.A. pursued a trade for him he would waive it in a heartbeat I think. Should that need to be said as a possible reason he would waive it? I said I do not see him waiving his NTC because I don’t see the Dodgers pursuing him with a quality offer that the Cards would be interested in even talking to Arenado about. Even with Goldie in NY do you think Arenado would waive his NTC to go there if the Yanks media are pointing to them as the missing piece to their season. I doubt he would want to play under those expectations even if the Cards got a fantastic offer for him.

          Reply
        • snakebyte32

          1 month ago

          That is possible scenario of course, but even in that case a potential HOF 3rd baseman at 16 million next year and 15 million in ’27 is not difficult to roster. Why would the Cardinals give up that pedigree as a mentor to a youth movement if salary relief was all they received? Unless he demands a trade why would they do that? If they are competitive with the roster they have currently, an infusion of youth will not make it any worse. If McCreevy were pitching in the place of Fedde or Mikolas right now the team would probably be better off and honestly youth is already all over the roster in the field. The Cardinals do not need to trade for a starting pitcher. They need to dump as much salary as possible from two of them and move Matz and McCreevy to the rotation. I doubt they do, but that would be my move if I had my druthers.

          Reply
    • jfive

      1 month ago

      agree…if theyre not getting anything in return, dont sell to sell. Let it ride—no one was expecting this team to be competitive this season anyway, so why be upset for playing to win?

      Reply
  5. letitbelowenstein

    1 month ago

    Just sell. Even if they somehow make the post-season, they’re going out fast.

    2
    Reply
  6. mack423

    1 month ago

    Maton, Matz, Fedde, and Helsley should be moved, and all can benefit other staffs. Romero too. Will need to grab a few arms to replenish the bullpen on the fly though. Don’t see much happening on the position player side, and doubt they bother with a Taylor or Grichuk type. Also doubt there’ll be much interest in Mikolas.

    I wonder if Sonny would be amenable to waiving his NTC at this time.

    3
    Reply
  7. King. Of. Cards

    1 month ago

    Nolan Gorman is from Arizona and needs a fresh start. Naylor and Gallen for Gorman is about right. I wouldn’t do a major trade but something involving Gorman or Walker makes sense. Both guys need a fresh start. And Crooks could also be dealt because the team has more than enough catching.

    1
    Reply
    • HatlessPete

      1 month ago

      Lol Gorman doesn’t get you Naylor and gallen both. He probably doesn’t even get you Naylor on his own, and even gallen in a down year is a stretch 1 for 1. Dream on!

      7
      Reply
      • King. Of. Cards

        1 month ago

        Naylor is a 2 win player making 12 million in 2025. Thats not very valuable. Gallen has upside but hes not pitching well at all. Gallen is also making big money. Money matters. Anyone who thinks either guy has a lot of trade value doesnt know what they are talking about.

        2
        Reply
        • Flags in the wind

          1 month ago

          Yes money matters, and Bill won’t be shelling out 20-ish mil, on Gallen and Naylor’s difference for Gorman, Walker, etc.. Look at his last 16 months, 5mil on Maton and now Bill is in for 20mil at the deadline? Hard to picture.

          Reply
        • Flags in the wind

          1 month ago

          2mil on Maton.

          Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          1 month ago

          Its not 20 million its prorated over the season it will be more like 7 million.

          Reply
        • Tigers3232

          1 month ago

          They have far more trade value than Gorman. In no world would he get you both. He is not going to get you either of them alone.

          Gallen is a proven veteran starting pitcher. Even in a down year hes far more valuable than a Gorman whose struggled with his bat in all but 2023 of his career where he showed some power. Hes been terrible since then and isn’t particularly good with his glove.

          1
          Reply
        • RobblyDobs

          1 month ago

          Wrong. Gorman still has an option and several cheap years. hes been spotty but still has upside. The other 2 guys are on more money than they are worth.

          So everyone thinks this is a bad idea, it seems.

          1
          Reply
        • HatlessPete

          1 month ago

          Naylor is a reliably well above average bat who will have big interest from multiple offense needy teams if made available. Looking just at war for trade values on a deadline rental without context is not a sound approach. The acquiring team is also only absorbing the pro-rate balance of a player’s contract for the season so less than half his full year salary, which is much more affordable than your misrepresentation of money considerations here and this also applies to gallen.

          Also you are completely ignoring the question of Gorman’s likely appeal for the d backs here, which is not that high in any reasonable estimation. He’s not a good defender anywhere and doesn’t have a clear positional home on their roster. Marte is the best 2b in the game and is signed long term. If they trade Suarez they will all but certainly want to give Jordan lawlar a real run at 3rd. Gorman has not shown that he can hit enough to put him at first and consider him a piece for their reloaded roster going into 26. So why on earth would AZ give up not one but two of their better trade chips for a flawed bat first player who is barely managing to hover around league average offensive value without a clear role on their roster? Like I said, dream on.

          Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          1 month ago

          Context? Naylor is a 1b who is a decent not great hitter. He’s making a lot of money. By definition of arbitration hes making 80% of his actual value. He doesnt have a lot of trade value.

          I mentioned the prorated part of their salary. I just mentioned it in the prior post learn to read.

          Gorman can play 1b that should be his position moving forward. And the DBacks need a 1b with Naylor moving on. Gorman has 3 years of team control remaining after 2025. That has value. Naylor and Gallen are not that valuable.

          Reply
        • HatlessPete

          1 month ago

          Lol I reacted to your characterization of the money in your reply to me which was only mentioning his full year salary. If you happened to say something about pro-rata salary in a different comment, good for you I guess.

          Idk what to tell you if you can’t understand the value of a guy with a significant track record of consistent offensive production and durability/availability who has an ops over 120 with lefty pop for less than 6 mill at the deadline. Newsflash, relatively cheap bats like that dont grow on trees and they cost more than nolan gorman. And if he’s so mid why do you even want him on your team lol?

          At 1b gorman is an entirely fungible bat with rapidly diminishing upside. The years of control do not add nearly as much value as you think under those circumstances.

          Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          1 month ago

          He’s a better bet than Gorman is. But he costs a lot more and has 3 less years of team control so hes less valuable. Gorman has plenty of upside hes just not a good fit on the Cardinals because they have enough 1b/dh types already on the roster.

          Reply
        • ih8tepaperstraws

          1 month ago

          Math isn’t your strong suit. It’s the same amount of money. They are paid on a per game basis. Your paying the same amount of money per game for today forward as they would have in had they acquired him in May.

          Reply
        • HatlessPete

          1 month ago

          Which adds up to less actual money…seriously dude?

          Reply
        • HatlessPete

          1 month ago

          Gorman strikes out a ton and doesn’t seem to be developing enough hit tool to get to his power. With all the payroll the dbacks are shedding this offseason they can definitely find a stronger floor at first without blowing two trade chips on gorman. Profiles like his aren’t exactly scarce among corner bats. Also I was just reading the mlbtr deadline write up on the dbacks and had to lol in hindsight at you being so confidently off on naylor’s salary by a bit over a mill. By the time the deadline hits about 2/3 of that will be paid out already so in no way is he prohibitively expensive for a serious contender lol.

          Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          1 month ago

          Gorman has huge potential. He could legitimately lead the leaue in homers if he made better swing decisions. I would trade Burleson if the DBacks insisted on a guy who’s playing better but Gorman i believe is a better player long term.

          Reply
        • ih8tepaperstraws

          1 month ago

          No. It’s the same expense per game. He wasn’t on your team for previous games so there was no expense or savings. But if you want to continue with your thinking then. It could also work out to less profitability. The trade for a better player should generate more excitement, ticket sales and views. Plus beginning additional jersey and shirzee sales. So at a per game basis it could have actually been a more profitable move for a team that struggles in both excitement and ticket sales.

          Reply
        • HatlessPete

          1 month ago

          Straws you’re splitting hairs and being pedantic af while also missing the point. It’s about naylor’s affordability for an acquiring team and how that relates to demand and trade value. Teams may offset the expense by shedding payroll elsewhere, have ownership that authorizes the added payroll or simply have left payroll room for deadline additions. But I will mention in the framework you’re talking about that making the playoffs means more revenue so investing in payroll at the deadline can certainly pay off in that way.

          1
          Reply
        • Tigers3232

          1 month ago

          Teams aren’t exactly clamoring to add a 1B/DH type that can’t hit.

          1
          Reply
        • Tigers3232

          1 month ago

          HAHA!! “He could legitimately lead the league in homers” HAHA!!

          2
          Reply
    • msqboxer

      1 month ago

      Maybe Gorman and a low level prospect or Luis Robert and Adrian Houser would make more sense.

      1
      Reply
      • King. Of. Cards

        1 month ago

        Roberts value is in his ability to play center and the Cardinals don’t need that. And Houser isn’t anything special either.

        Reply
        • msqboxer

          1 month ago

          Gorman has no positional value and Houser would be a #3 on the Cards staff right now.

          1
          Reply
      • RobblyDobs

        1 month ago

        White Sox would give Robert away for salary relief. Would be insane for anyone to give them anything in return.

        1
        Reply
        • msqboxer

          1 month ago

          Gorman is the same except he hold no positional value.

          1
          Reply
  8. dirtbagbaseball427

    1 month ago

    I think they could get a lot to set themselves up nicely for the next couple years if they choose to deal Helsley. Gorman and Walker could use a change of scenery so if they could find a team that has young guys in a similar rut, I would explore a deal with those two as well. With the infielders they have coming, I don’t see Gorman with a defined role on this team and Walker, although still very young, just hasn’t panned out after they told him to start trying to lift the ball.

    2
    Reply
    • MRSHOWTIME

      1 month ago

      Cubs could really use Helsey and we can take Arenado off you guys to make up for the same division tax

      Reply
  9. Jimmy Racer

    1 month ago

    You can’t make the playoffs without starting pitching! If you want to get a front line starter you will have to SACRIFICE! The only player that could be a centerpiece for a cost controlled starter is Donovan and as much as I would hat to see him go that is there only choice. Right now the Phillies, Astros, Yankees, Dodgers and other teams are desperate for a LH bat that can play multiple positions and the Cardinals have a lot of LH bats so Donovan packaged with Crooks, Victor Scott, Maton, Hensley, and Matz could bring back a cost controlled starter and a RH utility bat. This would likely need to be done via a three way trade. Can’t wait to read the replies.

    Reply
    • King. Of. Cards

      1 month ago

      What starter is worth giving up all those guys? Who???

      4
      Reply
      • Jimmy Racer

        1 month ago

        Yes it will take most of those guys to bring back a front line cost controlled starter and a RH hitting utility player.I’m not sure there is one out there. The Dodgers have a lot of starters and may be willing to part with one. To get something like this done it will likely have to be a 3 way trade. I wouldn’t give Donovan up for a rental, it would have to be multiple years of control. Donovan value is extremely high right now and if Chain Bloom wants to compete next year then now I’d the time to strike.

        2
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        • ih8tepaperstraws

          1 month ago

          They are going to try and cut every salary they can to give Bloom as much money and as many roster spots as he can to fill so it’s his team his way from the start. Mozaliak’s dead line job is to find new homes for as many of the pieces on the MLB roster as he can and Bloom’s job is to decide the return.

          3
          Reply
        • Jimmy Racer

          1 month ago

          Yes and Donovan will likely do very well in arbitration this off season. He will likely be making $10 to $20 million next year and if they keep him that will be less money to spend on pitching.

          Reply
        • FrontOfficeStan

          1 month ago

          That’s quite the range Jimmy, and you’re still probably wrong.

          1
          Reply
        • Jimmy Racer

          1 month ago

          What do you think he will receive Stan?

          Reply
        • FrontOfficeStan

          1 month ago

          He’s going into arb 2, if he ends the season with 4 war or so then I would expect him to ask for 7-8 million and cardinals will come in a million or so under that. I would guess between 5-7. Cardinals typically come out very favorably in arbitration, I wouldn’t be surprised if its closer to the 5 million mark than 7.

          Reply
        • Jimmy Racer

          1 month ago

          Then that would be $5 million that can be spent on pitching rather that a LH hitting utility player. I’m not exactly sure what Donovans trade value is at the moment but I do know that a LH batting utility player value is high at the moment and the Cardinals are starving for starting pitching this year and next.

          Reply
        • stan lee the manly

          1 month ago

          I think you are completely forgetting about the Cardinals AAA pitching for next year. Sure there’s plenty of risk in rookie pitchers, but they need to get their shot. Unless you are trading pitchers between now and then, the rotation of Gray, Liberatore, McGreevy, and two of Roby/Matthews/Graceffo/Hence/Doyle/Pallente gives you a ton of options. They aren’t “starving” in any sense of the word, they have at most one space for a starter and that would need to include either trading pitching prospects or committing to dooming some of their young starters to the bullpen. I think that makes sense for Hence and even Pallente, but not the rest.

          Reply
        • ih8tepaperstraws

          1 month ago

          That depends if you think the AAA pitchers are any god or a bunch of 5th starts or long relief guys. I lean towards them not being good. McGreevy is about the same as Pallante. He’s had some good luck this year, but his hall doesn’t move and he isn’t a high velo guy so the league will catch quick him. Roby and Graceffo are more of the same. IMO Hence’s ceiling is a closer. I do like Matthews. He has #2 upside. And Doyle give me concerns. Funky arm, a bit undersized. Jumped from college to college and when he got to Tennessee he excelled on a team that apparently was stacked based off the amount of first rounders. He has good stick out stuff but I wonder if he’ll be able to control it. Sort of reminds of Edward Cabrera., whose is starting to run thin in Miami.

          Reply
        • Jimmy Racer

          1 month ago

          Graceffo is a reliever at this point as he only started 4 games in AAA. Roby and Hence both have a lot of injury history and will likely be relievers because they need relievers too. Roby is doing okay in AAA with a ERA of 4.02 and a WHIP of 1.3. Pallante and Mcgreevy will be good back end starter and long relief. I wouldn’t depend on Doyle until 2027 or 2028. I agree that there is hope with Mathews although in AAA he has a 4.43 ERA and a 1.7 WHIP. If you want to be a playoff competitive team then you will need 6 to 7 starters. They will likely need 2 starters next year and if they have to sign 2 then we will get a rerun of 2024 and we will be watching Lynn/Gibson 2.0

          1
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        • stan lee the manly

          1 month ago

          They will only need 2 starters if they agree with your assessment from the outside of their prospects. I would bet a whole heap of money that they do not and they are a lot higher on their guys, particularly McGreevy, Roby, and Mathews.

          1
          Reply
        • Jimmy Racer

          1 month ago

          I have to agree that they will likely fail to aquire 2 starter and you are probably right that they value Robi and Mathews higher than I do. If anyone want to look at these guys stats at AAA then they probably will agree with me, although I feel they have potential. I think that the Cardinals know Mcgreevy is a #5 starter at best.

          Reply
    • Soto should bat first.

      1 month ago

      Nailed it.
      Jimmy > Mozeliak

      Reply
  10. mbart33

    1 month ago

    Two great drafts in a row- selling at the end of july

    1
    Reply
  11. Mitbar

    1 month ago

    Buy another ace starting pitcher or two. Good pitching always beats good hitting.

    Reply
    • El Kabong

      1 month ago

      Teams tend to hang onto aces; they don’t trade them.

      Reply
    • Jimmy Racer

      1 month ago

      How much money do you think the Dewitts will spend on starting pitching? Remember last year when they spent big on Lynn and Gibson? That’s what the fand will get next year if they can’t find a starter in a trade. It’s doubtful Walker and Gorman could get a starter, maybe a good reliever.

      Reply
    • ThatsIT?

      1 month ago

      lol or two. It’s always easy to trade for 1 but you want 2. lol

      Reply
      • Jimmy Racer

        1 month ago

        If Bloom can get a starter in a trade then they will only have to sign 1 starter. Pallante and Mcgreevy can be the 5th starter and swing man. Not ideal but hopefully they can fill in until Matthews or Hence make it up. Hopefully Liam Doyle can move through the system quickly.

        Reply
  12. Mitbar

    1 month ago

    Tony always said if you are at .500 at the all star break you have a chance . They are better than that so buy some players.

    Reply
    • Soto should bat first.

      1 month ago

      Worshipping Tony the Drunk is odd behavior.

      Reply
      • stan lee the manly

        1 month ago

        Pretending like Tony LaRussa wasn’t one of the top managers in baseball history is odd behavior.

        He had 3 losing seasons in 16 seasons with the Cardinals. He probably knows what he’s talking about lol.

        7
        Reply
  13. Hubert

    1 month ago

    Reunion with Harrison Bader. Right handed hitter, plus defender in CF. Leave Walker in AAA rest of the year.

    3
    Reply
    • King. Of. Cards

      1 month ago

      Bader and Coulombe for Crooks. Thats a trade that makes sense for everyone.

      1
      Reply
      • RobblyDobs

        1 month ago

        Except the Cardinals. Crooks has more value than that, and the CRds aren’t adding that kind of money to payroll. Will only be interested in the bargain bin or controllable players for the future.

        Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          1 month ago

          Bader and Coulombe aren’t making much at all. Look it up.

          Reply
        • ih8tepaperstraws

          1 month ago

          Catching prospects don’t have value. Notice how almost none are ever traded and those that are usually throw is for minor league depth. It’s just not a position of value in a normal way. There is such a balance between defense and offense that most teams don’t risk trades and rather see what they get from internal candidates.

          Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          1 month ago

          First of all that’s nonsense. Also the Twins have no internal candidates they have no catching prospects or depth whatsoever.

          2
          Reply
        • FrontOfficeStan

          1 month ago

          Catching prospects are rarely traded because of how much value they have to an organization.

          Reply
        • King. Of. Cards

          1 month ago

          Herrera is so valuable hes not even catching anymore.

          Bernal is going to pass Crooks. They both need a place to play.

          Reply
  14. ih8tepaperstraws

    1 month ago

    They are trending for a 4th place central finish at best. The current team is collapsing. They have to play harder than other teams play perfect to win to make up for the lack of high end talent. That’s exhausting.

    There should not be a single person in the organization that isn’t available, they need a lot because there isn’t a lot in the minors that is going to sell tickets. Whetherholt is good, but he’s not enough. Helsley should fetch a good return. It’ll he minor leaguers the majority of Cardinal’s fans have never heard of, but he should get one if not two of another clubs top 10 prospects. Contenders look for defensive replacements at the deadline, so VC2 could get a high risk high reward kind of starter. Donovan and Nootbaar don’t have the power clubs search for now. They should focus on getting prospects that should be ready by 2027 and get as many prospects as they can and trade who ever it takes to help rise the boat. No major league acquisitions.

    3
    Reply
    • RobblyDobs

      1 month ago

      Quite a lot of wrong, but right about Helsley (and Maton and Matz)

      And swap Siani for a comparable AAAA RH OF.

      Reply
      • ih8tepaperstraws

        1 month ago

        We all have opinions. I don’t k ow about you, but I saw this debacle coming before the 2017 season and have been saying this team is in trouble ever since. You can go find all my posts, they do exist. They need so much on the mound and in the batters box that they have to be willing to move anyone for the right return. There should be no untouchables if they want to get back to the playoffs by 2028.

        Reply
        • RobblyDobs

          1 month ago

          Have it your own way.

          Reply
  15. PistolPete44

    1 month ago

    Until they get a real pitching coach, and a real manager that wants to put their name on this team and not have the management at the top trying to control it. It will not matter what they do. Ollie is not the guy. Neither is Dusty.

    1
    Reply
    • ih8tepaperstraws

      1 month ago

      I believe Marmol is exactly the right guy for the organization at this time. The team isn’t good and there isn’t much hope for the next few years. so he’s learning on the job and taking his lumps now when it really doesn’t matter. He might not make it through, but he’ll be much better from this experience and much better in his next manager position.

      Reply
      • RobblyDobs

        1 month ago

        Nope. He’s the lame duck manager for a lame duck POBO.

        Need to clean house.

        Reply
        • ih8tepaperstraws

          1 month ago

          Not really. This team is bad and they know it. Oli is there to keep it light and fun so the loosing isn’t as bad. He’s very good at that and is learning to be better in games through the process. This team isn’t going anyway for the next two years either so he’ll be around a few more years. You can cal it blame duck, but it’s with the right intention.

          Reply
        • RobblyDobs

          1 month ago

          Yeah Oli is f marvellous. Was great management to run TON out of town for no return and throw him under the bus in a press conference because Pop Warner sent him on an impossible run. Superb to leave Gorman on the bench for weeks this season. Brilliant to pull Quintana when he was dealing against the Phils and give an injured Helsley the ball.

          He’s very average. No worse and no better.

          Clean house.

          1
          Reply
        • ih8tepaperstraws

          1 month ago

          Those were a few years ago. And no matter how much he says it, we all know lineup decisions come from the front office. It’s the equivalent of your boss giving you the preferred process but says you can change it if you want. Usually, you don’t go against the boss. But if someone comes and says they can’t go that day, then he probably makes the line up change. So sure, he has final say, but he gets the cheat code first. Blame the poor analytical models used. The rest is in game decisions and how to handle the press afterwards. Those are the things he’s getting better at each day while he is playing the club house jester.

          Reply
        • ih8tepaperstraws

          1 month ago

          I don’t think most people understand what Marmols job really is, at this time. He’s there to defend his players to the death and to sell a bad team as better than they are to the fans via his after game interview. He’s the hype man and apologist for a talentless team. He’s not there to win games, there is no expectation for him to do so. It’s that simple. So when you appreciate what he is there to do, he is doing a great job. And the hope is that he can learn the actual game managing piece along the way.

          Reply
  16. PistolPete44

    1 month ago

    Schilt proves your theory wrong. He left because he was not going to be controlled by the front office. Say, how is he doing?

    1
    Reply
    • El Kabong

      1 month ago

      Not great. Schildt’s supposedly superior team is just 1.5 games better than the Cardinals. They’re in a four-team battle with the Cardinals, Giants, and Reds for the final playoff spot.

      Reply
      • PistolPete44

        1 month ago

        Tough division

        Reply
    • RobblyDobs

      1 month ago

      Shildt was bad. Marmol is no better.

      Reply
  17. BigV

    1 month ago

    Alex Call is someone I’d like to see them try to pickup no matter if they are in the race or not.

    1
    Reply
  18. Bounty Hunters IA

    1 month ago

    Hilarious takes by delusional cesspool team fans. This trash team is going nowhere fast and should just realize how bad they are and the fact they won’t win anything again anytime soon. Barren farm system other than Wetherholt, terrible ML lineup and rotation and a joke of a front office no matter who is in charge of it. If your best trade chip is Donovan you have no chance to get anything in return of any consequence.

    Reply
    • King. Of. Cards

      1 month ago

      Ok idiot

      2
      Reply
    • RobblyDobs

      1 month ago

      Take a peek at the pitching prospects, Bozo.

      Reply
    • ih8tepaperstraws

      1 month ago

      It’s worded a little harsh, but the general ideas are rather accurate. But most Cardinal fans don’t see the sewage in the water they are about to swim in either. I bet 75% of cardinals fans had no idea who most of the HR derby competitors were. That’s because they are MLB fans, they are Cardinal fans and that’s enough. I live in STL and am a Card la fan. It’s hard to talk to most of the others.

      Reply
  19. Krr104

    1 month ago

    Matz, maton, mikolas, helsey, Herrera, and walker all should be dealt for at least a starter and an outfielder. Use pages and pozo as catchers. Keep gorman. Donovan everyday at second. They won’t want big contacts on the books bc of the looming lockout so I don’t expect them to do anything really.

    2
    Reply
    • RobblyDobs

      1 month ago

      100% wrong on Herrera. But mostly right.

      2
      Reply
  20. letsholdemandgohome

    1 month ago

    Herrera is the best right handed bat they have right now. What good is acquiring a front line starter or two if the team has no offense and cannot score any runs?

    There would be a lot of losses 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, etc. Imo.

    4
    Reply
    • Soto should bat first.

      1 month ago

      Yup. Herrera is like the last guy on this roster who should be traded.

      2
      Reply
      • snakebyte32

        1 month ago

        Herrera has shown a tendency to injury on the base-path unfortunately and his hit tool is his only value. If someone is in need of a right handed DH then it would be wise to pull the trigger. Where are you going to play him? We already have one catcher playing 1st base, and if you put him in the OF he will be on the 15 day IL 4 times a season or more. Catching is the deepest area in the system and that is not even counting Pages and Pozo. The staff seems pretty content tossing in to Pages so let them. The question is the return. The Cards have some talent but it is not upper crust game changer talent. If they are serious about competing for a WS in the next 3 years they should get as many lotto ticket minor leaguers as they can and fill the ML roster up with waiver claims that contenders will need to make once they add their pieces at the deadline. Will they do that, absolutely not, but they should if championships are what they are chasing and not just fielding a competitive team. Fans have caught on to the lack of chase in ownership so attendance is way down. That will leave them with less that they will invest in FA and will continue the direction of the franchise. The model the team is operating in does not compete well. They should model more closely to Milwaukee in the interim then blow the bank in about 3 seasons on whatever holes remain on the roster.

        Reply
    • ih8tepaperstraws

      1 month ago

      they can’t score runs to begin with and Herrara doesn’t move that needle enough on his own. But he would fit well on a team that has other sluggers around him. They need so much help that if they want to expedite the process and get back to winning sooner than later they have to be willing to blowup everything and bring in as much prospect capital as possible. They need it to hopefully find their next stars and to flip for something else as they determine who is looking best for their future.

      1
      Reply
  21. msqboxer

    1 month ago

    Draw a line in the sand and say anyone born prior to 1998 is available. Build the team around Winn, Herrera, Jordan, Burleson and Scott.

    Reply
  22. CardsFan57

    1 month ago

    The four game series with SD ending 7/27 will decide what the Cardinals do at the deadline.

    1
    Reply
  23. Mans Search

    1 month ago

    Why would anyone in their right mind not make every effort to trade the pending free agents!?
    If your answer is that they won’t get much — that’s dumb because something is better than nothing. They got Romero for forking Sosa!
    If your answer is they could still make a run in the playoffs, you’re delusional. Please seek help.

    Reply
  24. Gary R

    1 month ago

    Anybody hear the DeWitts want to sell the team & Kroenke wants to buy them?

    Reply
    • Cardinals0611

      1 month ago

      no cause I’m not crazy

      Reply
  25. twisted laces

    1 month ago

    Cardinals will stand put.

    Reply

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