The St. Louis Cardinals are now in an odd situation. As the season began, every indication seemed to be that they would rebuild and blow apart the roster. They chose not to sign any of the top players available after allowing several veterans to enter free agency.
According to reports, St. Louis was also considering trading some of its best players, including pitcher Sonny Gray and infielder Nolan Arenado. Ultimately, the two veterans’ contracts have no-trade provisions, so they won’t be traded if they don’t want to. As it happened, this was true.
However, the Cardinals’ roster, which is full of youthful talent, helped them start winning games early in the season. At the trade deadline, they may become buyers because they are in the midst of a fierce division competition.
The Cardinals may use some of their big-league players to acquire controllable big-league talent if they decide to make a purchase. The Cardinals might bring in win-now players with the help of a few contributing guys.
Cardinals trade chip 1: RHP Ryan Helsley
Closer Ryan Helsley is the most obvious guy the Cardinals could and should deal this season. Helsley’s contract is about to expire, therefore it’s doubtful that the Cardinals would pay him at the end of the season.
Many teams overpaid for well-known relievers because they were the most sought-after position at the trade deadline last season. The Cardinals might take advantage of that this season by dealing Helsley to a team that is in the running, such as the Atlanta Braves or Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cardinals may acquire a number of prospects in this way, but they might also get a player like Bryce Elder, James Outman, or Bobby Miller. Players like these might be a valuable and manageable part of the Cardinals’ future while also helping them today.
The Cardinals might execute a move that keeps them competitive today and positions them for significant future success by taking advantage of Helsley’s worth and the favorable market.
Cardinals trade chip 2: INF Thomas Saggese
This season, the Cardinals’ infield has been quite successful. Masyn Winn and Willson Contreras appear to be long-term options at shortstop and first base, respectively. Nolan Arenado, whose contract keeps him in the lineup for the foreseeable future, has been an excellent defensive third baseman. Despite being a utility player, Brendan Donovan has excelled at second base.
JJ Wetherholt, the team’s best prospect, is the future of second base in St. Louis. This season, Wetherholt is dominating Double-A pitching, and in the next weeks, he could even make it to Triple-A.
The Cardinals now have a difficult situation with prospect Thomas Saggese. Saggese performed admirably when given the chance to play in the major leagues, but until there are injuries or Arenado is dealt, it doesn’t appear like he will get another shot.
What does that leave him with? On the trading block, probably.
The Cardinals would be making a significant move if they traded Saggese. He has the appearance of a celebrity, and he could grow up to be one. However, in order to acquire other players in need, the Cardinals can try to move him to a team like the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Dodgers. Two competing teams may benefit from such a partnership.
Cardinals trade chip 3: RHP Erick Fedde
Helsley and starting pitcher Erick Fedde are in a similar situation, but Fedde is far less valuable. The Cardinals are unlikely to re-sign Fedde in the summer since his contract expires at the end of the current campaign. Alternatively, St. Louis may take advantage of his recent hot start streak to get a good return for the pitcher who is nearing the end of his career.
When they’re healed and back to their best, the Cardinals may try to bring up a prospect like Tink Hence or Quinn Mathews to replace him. In order to cover for Fedde’s move, they could also bring up Michael McGreevy.
In any case, with so many clubs searching for a starting pitcher, St. Louis may be able to get a couple valuable prospects in return for Fedde. By dealing Fedde and replacing him with a prospect, the club may improve in the short term, but they will undoubtedly improve in the long run. The Cardinals’ farm system would benefit from the return of prospects, even if it just consists of two or three mid-level players.
