In a move that drew immediate comparisons to one of the most pivotal trades in franchise history, John Mozeliak capped off his final trade deadline as head of the Cardinals’ top decision-maker with a bold deal aimed at unlocking the roster’s full potential — just like he did back in 2011.
This time, it was young slugger Nolan Gorman who was dealt, heading to a contender in exchange for a package that included a high-leverage bullpen arm and a versatile utility player. The deal addressed two glaring needs for the Cardinals and opened the door for more consistent playing time for rising stars like Thomas Saggese and Alec Burleson.
Much like the 2011 Colby Rasmus deal, which cleared the way for Jon Jay and brought in key contributors to a championship run, Mozeliak’s latest move prioritized chemistry, balance, and fit over star power. That original trade was met with skepticism at the time but ultimately fueled the Cardinals’ World Series victory. Now, fans are hoping history can repeat itself.
Back then, Rasmus was seen as a key piece of the future, just as Gorman was this season. But the Cardinals saw a logjam, a clubhouse in need of clarity, and an opportunity to add veteran depth without sacrificing the core. It worked once. And it might work again.
In recent weeks, the Cardinals had begun to claw their way back into the playoff picture after a rocky start. But persistent bullpen struggles and uneven infield production left Mozeliak with little choice but to get creative — and that’s exactly what he did.
Rather than dip heavily into the prospect pool, the Cardinals leveraged the depth already on the roster, capitalizing on Gorman’s trade value while trusting their internal replacements. Burleson, already carving out a larger role, now steps in with a full-time opportunity, while Saggese — tearing up Triple-A Memphis — gets a chance to prove he belongs.
Mozeliak, who announced earlier this year that 2025 would be his final season, made one last signature deadline swing — a move filled with risk, vision, and echoes of past glory.
The Cardinals still have work to do, and October is far from guaranteed. But with a clearer roster and new contributors in tow, they’ve given themselves a shot — and in St. Louis, that’s often all it takes.
