Rumors swirl around the MLB: A knowledgeable insider identifies a promising young pitcher as the ideal trade partner for the St. Louis Cardinals
In the world of Major League Baseball (MLB), trade rumours are swirling as teams scramble to bolster their rosters ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. One intriguing name that has been floated around is Taj Bradley, the 24-year-old starter from the Tampa Bay Rays. However, there is no specific mention of a direct link between Bradley and the St. Louis Cardinals as of mid-July 2025.
Jeff Passan, an MLB insider, recently performed an exercise matching teams with potential trades, pairing Bradley with the Cardinals. This potential move could be an interesting one, given the Cardinals' current position in the playoff race and their need for pitching depth.
The Cardinals are still in the playoff race but are in need of a strong push before the All-Star break to secure a Wild Card spot. Their starting rotation, however, has shown some consistency issues, making a young talent like Bradley an attractive option.
Bradley, a former top prospect, is currently putting together a season in line with his career performance. Despite a decreased strikeout rate, his 96mph fastball and decent off-speed stuff have been impressive. Interestingly, his curveball has been particularly effective, with opponents hitting just .091 against it.
However, it's important to note that no credible reports have tied Bradley directly to trade talks involving the Cardinals as of mid-July. The focus remains on other pitching and hitting needs as the deadline approaches.
The Cardinals have expressed needs primarily for pitching depth and a right-handed bat rather than explicitly targeting a young starter like Bradley. Key rotation players such as Sonny Gray are noted as potential trade chips, but with contract and no-trade clause complications, not Bradley.
Meanwhile, the Rays are currently holding onto a playoff spot via the Wild Card, and acquiring Bradley would come at a high cost. However, the Rays may be willing to trade him due to their current rotation's performance.
On the Cardinals' side, their top pitching prospect, Quinn Mathews, has been inconsistent since returning from injury. This could potentially make Bradley an attractive option for the Cardinals, who may be looking for stability in their rotation.
The years of control Bradley offers would be intriguing to any acquiring team, particularly the Cardinals, who may be losing several pitchers after this season. Passan specifically mentioned the Cardinals' catching depth as a potential trade piece in a potential deal for Bradley.
In conclusion, while the Cardinals are evaluating pitching depth in their trade approach, there is currently no clear evidence of a direct link between Taj Bradley and the St. Louis Cardinals in trade talks. As the deadline approaches, the focus remains on other pitching and hitting needs for the Cardinals.
[1] [MLB Trade Rumors: Cardinals' Trade Strategy and Potential Candidates](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/07/cardinals-trade-strategy-and-potential-candidates.html) [2] [Cardinals' Needs Ahead of the Trade Deadline](https://www.stlouiscardinals.com/news/cardinals-needs-ahead-of-the-trade-deadline) [3] [Sonny Gray: Potential Trade Chip for the Cardinals](https://www.stlouiscardinals.com/news/sonny-gray-potential-trade-chip-for-the-cardinals) [4] [Cardinals' Pitching Depth in Focus](https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/cardinals-pitching-depth-in-focus)
The MLB insider Jeff Passan recently suggested a potential trade involving Taj Bradley, a 24-year-old starter from the Tampa Bay Rays, and the St. Louis Cardinals, whose starting rotation has shown some consistency issues. However, as of mid-July 2025, no credible reports have directly linked Bradley to trade talks with the Cardinals, making this a speculative transaction in the world of Major League Baseball (MLB).
