Last-minute predictions for St. Louis Cardinals trades on the deadline day
In the bustling world of Major League Baseball, the National League playoff contenders are scouring for that extra edge to secure a spot in the World Series. One name that has caught the attention of several teams is JoJo Romero, the 28-year-old left-handed reliever from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Romero's performance and contract terms make him an attractive option for teams seeking to shut down left-handed hitters. Over the current season, he has allowed only 10 total hits, three doubles, no home runs, and one earned run to the 62 lefties he's faced. This stellar performance has earned him a 2.12 ERA in 40 appearances for the Cardinals, with a 0.38 ERA since May 1st. This impressive statistic places him second among all relievers over that stretch and first among left-handed relievers.
The Brewers, another National League playoff contender, also have left-handed hitters in their lineup. However, they are not the only ones. The Dodgers, Phillies, Cubs, Mets, and Padres specifically boast star level left-handed talent. National League playoff contenders rely heavily on left-handed production in their lineups, making Romero a valuable asset.
The trade deadline is approaching, and there is a possibility that Romero will join a contender for the remainder of 2025 and the 2026 season. The Cardinals, leaning toward selling at the trade deadline due to falling out of contention, could leverage Romero’s high value for a solid return of prospects or young talent.
Potential trade fits for Romero include the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Diego Padres, both contending teams in need of left-handed bullpen depth. The Padres have shown explicit interest, while the Blue Jays lack lefty bullpen arms and would find Romero valuable.
The Cardinals could secure a valuable haul of prospects in a trade given Romero’s elite performance and control through 2026. While exact trade returns are speculative, given Romero’s dominant recent performance and contract status, the Cardinals could anticipate multiple promising prospects, particularly from organizations in playoff contention and willing to bolster their bullpen.
In summary, the Blue Jays and Padres are prominent potential fits for Romero, and the Cardinals could secure a valuable haul of prospects in a trade given his elite performance and control through 2026. The trade market for Romero is heating up, with teams typically valuing players with remaining club control, especially relievers like Romero. The Cardinals could potentially receive a strong offer for Romero, considering the prices being paid for rental relievers and the haul the Phillies gave up for Jhoan Duran.
The Blue Jays and Padres, boasting a need for left-handed bullpen depth, could benefit significantly from acquiring JoJo Romero, given his impressive performance and contract control through 2026. With several National League playoff contenders relying heavily on left-handed production in their lineups, securing Romero's services could provide a crucial edge in their pursuit of the World Series.
