There are already whispers that the St. Louis Cardinals may make some trades before the July 31 MLB trade deadline. According to The Athletic’s insider Ken Rosenthal, the front office may be busy around the halfway point of the season because the club is performing well thus far.
Rosenthal asserts that the Cardinals might be interested buyers at the trade deadline in a guest appearance on “Foul Territory.” He acknowledges, though, that he doesn’t think the front office will make any significant transactions to go all in. No, instead, the MLB insider thinks the organization might make additional small transactions to enhance the squad for the second half of the season.
“I anticipate that they will take comparatively small actions.”
Since the start of the season, there have been trade speculations involving Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. His recent cold streak may reduce his trade value heading into the summer, but there is a chance the team will opt to let him go at some point this season. But if he improves, St. Louis could be better suited keeping Arenado in the final stretch given that he is among the league’s top defensive third basemen and has excelled at the bat during his career.
With 240 runs this season, the Cardinals are tied with the Boston Red Sox for sixth place in MLB. St. Louis’ pitching staff is also performing well; with 184 earned runs allowed, they rank 11th in the league.
The success the Cardinals are experiencing after 50 games seems to support Ken Rosenthal’s assessment of the squad. The front office might be able to enhance the lineup, bullpen, or rotation without making significant sacrifices. In addition to improving the team’s chances this season, it would avoid taking on future debt.
The Cardinals, who were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the three-game series, will try to get back into the win column on Friday. The Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis will play at 8:15 p.m. EST.
