Insider's Anticipated Trades Before Deadline Could Elicit Excitement and Disappointment Among Fans
Ready for some juicy goss about the St. Louis Cardinals? Here's the down and dirty on their trade deadline plans for the 2025 MLB season.
Fans are buzzing about whether the Cardinals will go all-in or cash out come trade deadline time, especially after their shaky start to the season. Some folks want them to take a gamble and scoop up some new talent, while others are keen on the team flipping some of their best players for top prospects.
Katie Woo of The Athletic recently dropped some knowledge about the club potentially being in the market for new additions if they're still in contention when July rolls around. But a different Cardinals insider is shaking their head at the idea of the team acting like a wild and crazy spendthrift.
In a piece over at the Belleville News-Democrat, Jeff Jones mused about how the NL Central is as weak as it's been in years, even with the Cardinals' sub-.500 record. The Cardinals might not have the top spot in the division locked up just yet, but it ain't looking good for their competition either. The Cubs have been making aggressive moves this offseason, but they haven't put a stranglehold on the division – at least not yet. The Reds and Brewers are lurking, but they're not exactly giving the Cardinals a run for their money just yet.
That brings us to a crucial question – if the Cardinals are still in the race in late July, will they go for broke in John Mozeliak's final season? Jones thinks they'll stick with their game plan and sell off their players. Here's a quote from his piece:
"To be sure, the deadline will still matter. Ryan Helsley's upcoming trade is a done deal. Fedde isn't far behind; neither is Phil Maton. In much the same way the prior offseason's moves turned the front office's cards for the 2024 team, the same will ring true in 2025. This is a team that was designed to sell at the deadline, and so they will."
Most fans should find that news a breath of fresh air. Jones made it clear that if the Cardinals suddenly burst into the playoffs this year, it won't be because they held onto their players or decided to throw money at the problem. Instead, it'll be the young guns propelling them forward. I think everyone would love to see that young talent driving them into the postseason, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't ditch some of their walk-year players like Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, Steven Matz, and Erick Fedde to fetch top dollar for the future. And don't be shocked if they try to offload Nolan Arenado yet again.
Some fans might be disappointed to hear the team is planning on waving the white flag if they have a shot at the playoffs, especially when it comes to an organization like the Cardinals. But this team is clearly playing the long game, focusing on the future, and they need to commit to that if they want to maximize their next window of opportunity. Sure, there's always the chance they'll go on some sort of miracle run if they sneak into the postseason, but the odds of that happening are slim, and they can boost their chances in future seasons if they pull the trigger on tough decisions come July.
In short, expect the Cardinals to be selling come trade deadline time. If that rubs you the wrong way, I get it, but trust me, you'll thank them later for making the smart move. And hey, maybe those young bats and arms will pull off a surprise run anyway!
Pro Tip: If you want to keep up-to-date on the Cardinals' trade deadline strategy, I highly recommend following Katie Woo and Jeff Jones on social media. They're the real MVPs when it comes to insider info on the team.
The Cardinals are anticipated to be active in the baseball market before the MLB trade deadline, potentially acquiring new talent if they remain in contention by July. Contrarily, some sources suggest that the team might instead trade their top players for promising prospects as part of their long-term strategy, with players like Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, Steven Matz, Erick Fedde, and potentially Nolan Arenado being potential trade candidates.
