Cardinals secure advantageous trade deal, aligning with John Mozeliak's trade strategies at the deadline.
Trade Deadline Speculations: Cardinals on the Hunt
June is here, and the MLB trade deadline buzz is in the air! The St. Louis Cardinals, following a strong May performance, might swing into buyer mode this year, as suggested by team president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak.
However, don't expect Mozeliak to part ways with high-profile prospects for big-name players. Instead, he'll likely focus on strategic deals that won't disrupt the farm system excessively. Some top prospects may move, but expect the likes of Quinn Mathews, JJ Wetherholt, Tink Hence, Tekoah Roby, and Rainiel Rodriguez to remain put.
Getting creative will be the key to John Mozeliak's trades this year. Ditching major leaguers for valuable contributors seems to be the most feasible route. Let's take a stroll down trade deadline memory lane to see some previous examples.
Back in 2021, the Cardinals were on the hunt for veteran starting pitchers. They made two trades, acquiring 38-year-old J.A. Happ and 37-year-old Jon Lester, by trading away youngsters like John Gant and Lane Thomas. Gant, a familiar face with the Cardinals, had a 3.52 ERA and struck out 7.5 batters per nine innings. Thomas, his counterpart, logged less seasoning, recording a .172/.289/.336 slash line across parts of three seasons with St. Louis. None of them were star prospects, and their trades brought valuable experience to the Cardinals.
John Mozeliak could well repeat such trades this year, moving a young player with no stellar track record for a veteran boost for the remainder of the season.
As for other potential trades, John Mozeliak might consider swapping with another team, like last year's Erick Fedde and Tommy Edman deal. The Cardinals have some logjams in the position side of the game, so they might package a position player for a talented starting pitcher.
Ah, but I have a third, captivating trade idea up my sleeve.
Two change-of-scenery candidates, Nolan Gorman of the Cardinals and Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels, might just be the juicy trade bait for either team.
Detmers, once a highly-regarded top-100 prospect, is still only 25 years old. His 2023 season has been a rollercoaster, with a 5.60 ERA in 24 games. However, he hasn't allowed a run in his last nine outings since May 20th and has even been used as a closer in recent games. While his ERA isn't stellar, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com listed him as a good "change-of-scenery" trade candidate.
Detmers has primarily served as a starting pitcher, with a career 4.95 ERA and an average of 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. His recent transition to the bullpen adds a unique dimension to his value for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals have their own candidate in infielder Nolan Gorman, who could benefit from a change of scenery as well. Though hyped as a player who'd see 500 at-bats this season, Gorman is on pace for less than 300 as he gets squeezed out by other players on the roster. He's batting .210/.299/.350 with two home runs and an 82 wRC+ so far this year.
Nolan has managed to drop his strikeout rate to 29.1% while raising his walk rate to 12%. His plate discipline has improved, but his .140 ISO suggests he's trading textbook power for walks.
The Cardinals may capitalize on the trade value generated by Steven Matz, who's had a successful run as a swingman this year. If the Cardinals remain contenders when Matz hits the market, they'll need to find a suitable replacement. Either an internal solution like Gordon Graceffo, or somebody from outside the organization like Detmers could fill Matz's role.
Detmers, a former starting pitcher, lefty, and relief ace, could be an attractive fit.
In exchange, the Cardinals could offer Gorman to the Angels. Currently, Los Angeles is playing veteran Chris Taylor at second base, who could be replaced by Gorman. Gorman would add balance to a lineup featuring seven right-handed hitters. Gorman and Detmers will both be free agents after the 2028 season, so the team control aspect could work in each team's favor.
On paper, the Cardinals and Angels are an ideal match for a trade this summer. Both Nolan Gorman and Reid Detmers could use a fresh start, and both could potentially make significant contributions to their new teams. A change of scenery could breathe new life into these young talents and help them achieve their full potential. Game on!
The St. Louis Cardinals might consider a trade involving Nolan Gorman, as a potential change of scenery could beneficiate both parties. Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels, who has shown potential despite a rocky 2023 season, could complement Gorman in such a trade. This trade could provide new opportunities for both young players and enhance their roles in their respective teams.
