Players most suitable for trade by the Cardinals at the 2025 trade deadline
The MLB Trade Deadline is fast approaching, with teams scrambling to bolster their rosters ahead of the July 31st cutoff. One such team, the New York Yankees, is reportedly looking to strengthen their pitching roster, and a potential target could be St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher, Steven Matz.
Matz, who has appeared in 30 games and spun 53 innings for the Cardinals, boasts a impressive 3.23 ERA, 3.08 xERA, and 2.90 FIP. His versatility is evident in his ability to start games and come in as a shutdown lefty in high-leverage spots, covering multiple innings.
In 19 of Matz's 28 relief appearances, he's recorded more than three outs for the Cardinals. Lefties are slashing just .188/.226/.238 off Matz on the year, making him a valuable asset for any team, especially the Yankees who currently have Tim Hill as their lone shutdown lefty in the bullpen.
The Yankees' bullpen has ranked among the bottom third of baseball in ERA, and acquiring Matz could provide them with a versatile option that can perform in multiple roles. While they don't need to acquire a player like JoJo Romero to add to their bullpen, Matz's utility could be invaluable for their World Series chances.
The Cardinals, who have several trade assets that are attracting interest from other teams, are reportedly open to dealing bullpen pieces and surplus or developable players such as younger catchers and outfielders. Notably, Ryan Helsley, the Cardinals' key relief pitcher, is seen as a prime candidate for trade, with potential fit including the Yankees.
However, some Cardinals' assets have no-trade clauses, giving the players control over their potential destinations. This could potentially complicate matters for the Yankees, but the team's strategy near the deadline is described as cautious yet open to dealing bullpen pieces, revisiting no-trade clauses, and hints of willingness to reshape the roster to balance contention and retooling.
Other potential teams interested in Matz include the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Diego Padres. Acquiring Matz would not require a significant financial commitment from the Yankees, making him an attractive option for the team as they look to improve their pitching depth ahead of the trade deadline.
As the deadline approaches, the Yankees and Cardinals will likely continue their discussions, with Matz potentially becoming a key piece in a blockbuster trade. Stay tuned for more updates as the MLB Trade Deadline approaches.
References:
- Cardinals Trade Deadline Targets: Ryan Helsley, Lars Nootbaar, and More
- St. Louis Cardinals' Ryan Helsley a prime trade candidate
- Cardinals Trade Deadline Strategy: Cautious but Open to Dealing Bullpen Pieces
- Cardinals Trade Deadline Strategy: Balancing Contention and Rebuilding
- The Yankees could bolster their pitching depth by acquiring the versatile Steven Matz from the Cardinals, a potential target for the team due to his impressive statistics and ability to perform in both starting and relief roles.
- Matz, with his impressive ERA and effectiveness against left-handed batters, could be a valuable addition to the Yankees' bullpen, which has struggled this season and could benefit from a shutdown lefty like Matz.
