The St. Louis Cardinals are in desperate need of a starting pitcher as the trade deadline approaches. However, they find themselves navigating a challenging seller’s market, with limited options available due to injuries to top pitchers like Shane Bieber. While the best available starters, Jack Flaherty and Tyler Anderson, are solid options, they don’t fit the bill of an ace that the Cardinals might ideally seek.
Despite the lack of an ace on the market, the Cardinals still have potential avenues to explore. Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY recently joined “The Opening Drive” on 101 ESPN and suggested that the Cardinals might consider a different strategy, such as a need-for-need swap with a fellow contender.
“It’s harder from contender to contender,” Nightengale noted. “But the one team that jumps out with that is Seattle because they have so much pitching and they really need a bat.”
Potential Trade Partners and Pieces
If the Cardinals pursue this route, the Seattle Mariners appear to be the best match. Nightengale mentioned that Dylan Carlson and Jordan Walker could be key trade pieces for the Cardinals. The team has an excess of left-handed bats and needs to clear out the logjam in their outfield. Carlson, a switch hitter, could benefit from a fresh start after struggling recently.
However, it’s uncertain what kind of return Carlson alone could fetch. Potential targets from Seattle could include pitchers like Bryce Miller, Emerson Hancock, or Bryan Woo. Yet, the Mariners might demand a higher price for parting with one of their starters.
The Jordan Walker Dilemma
Trading between two contenders is rare, and it remains to be seen if the Cardinals and Mariners will strike a deal. Jordan Walker, with his high potential despite some struggles, could bring back a significant return. Trading Walker is a divisive topic among Cardinals fans, but it might be a necessary move to address the pitching needs and manage the crowded outfield.
Walker represents a young outfielder who could fetch a solid return, but the Cardinals would have to weigh the risk of trading a player with such potential. However, with an abundance of outfielders, making a move involving Walker could help balance the roster.
Conclusion
As the trade deadline approaches, the Cardinals must decide whether to pursue a trade with the Mariners or explore other options. Trading Walker or Carlson could provide the pitching boost the Cardinals need while resolving the outfield congestion. It’s a bold strategy that could pay off, but only time will tell if the Cardinals and Mariners will make such a rare contender-to-contender trade.
With the deadline looming, all eyes will be on the Cardinals’ front office to see if they pull the trigger on a significant trade to bolster their rotation and enhance their playoff chances.
