St. Louis Cardinals' manager voices disappointment over team's current winning streak
Going Against the Grain: The Surprising St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals were expected to struggle this season. No playoffs, no division contention – just a slow slide into the offseason. But things have taken a wild turn.
At the start of June, the Cardinals have a solid 33-26 record, clawing their way just four games behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central. If the playoffs began today, they'd be the National League's Wild Card team.
The Cardinals' Early Success Could Change the MLB Trade Landscape
This revelation left rival general managers seething, as they'd been counting on the Cardinals' eventual collapse to nab trade candidates like Nolan Arenado, Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz, Erick Fedde, and Sonny Gray.
General manager whispers, reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN, have been less than enthusiastic about the Cardinals' good fortune. Teams were hoping to snag two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley after the Cardinals held on to him at the offseason. After a shaky start to the year, Helsley found his groove in May, logging nine saves and finishing the month with 13 strikeouts and a 2.45 ERA across 11 games.
Pitchers like Erick Fedde (3-5, 3.82 ERA), Steven Matz (3-1, 2.16 ERA), and even Sonny Gray (6-1, 3.65 ERA) were assumed to be available at the deadline. Matz has been a standout this year, performing double duty as a swingman – a valuable asset for any contending team.
But the Cardinals' impressive performance to start the year may mean none of these players will be trade bait for opposing teams come July.
The Calm Before the Storm?
If the Cardinals stumble in their precarious June games, their fate may revert back to the original script, with the club shedding expiring contracts and recouping assets for the future.
However, it seems the Cardinals are preparing to make a move at this year's trade deadline. With their surprising start to the 2025 season, they'll likely be looking to beef up their roster and improve their chances for a deep playoff run.
This shift in strategy has left rival executives scrambling. Teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers will have to adjust their trade strategies or compete directly against the Cardinals for available talent.
For a team that wasn't supposed to contend, the Cardinals have turned the script on its head. They'll aim to make strategic additions at the trade deadline to fuel their quest for a division title and beyond.
Enrichment Data:
Potential Targets:
- Starting Pitchers: With their recent success, the Cardinals might be on the lookout for a consistent, reliable addition to bolster their rotation for a postseason push.
- Outfielders: Given their strong defensive performance, the Cardinals could still seek to increase their outfield depth with an All-Star-caliber player.
- Bullpen Reinforcements: The Cardinals may consider adding more relief pitchers to fortify their late-game options.
Considerations:
- Financial Constraints: The team's budget will play a significant role in determining which players they can pursue.
- Roster Balance: The Cardinals need to strike a balance between retaining their current core and making strategic upgrades that fit their team dynamics.
- Competitive Aspirations: As contenders, the Cardinals must ensure that any acquisitions align with their goal of competing for a division title and beyond.
Given the Cardinals' surprising performance in the MLB, potential trade targets might include reliable starting pitchers to further strengthen their rotation, highly skilled outfielders to bolster their defensive lineup, and additional bullpen reinforcements to solidify their late-game options.
If the Cardinals continue their strong play, they may face increased competition from teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers, who will need to adjust their trade strategies in order to acquire available talent before the deadline.
