Three compelling reasons stand for the Cardinals to adopt a selling stance at the trade deadline:
Revamped Take:
As the trade deadline looms on July 31st, the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves teetering on a crucial decision. Should they double down on their hot streak and aim for a playoff push? Or is this streak just a fleeting mirage of what's to come? This young team, defying all odds, could indeed secure a playoff spot if they maintain their form. However, here are three compelling reasons to consider trading away expiring contracts or star players at the deadline, a move that could pave the way for long-term success.
1. The Cardinals' Inherent Limitations
Whilst the team has put up a commendable performance, the Cardinals simply lack the firepower to hang with the giants of baseball in a seven-game series. Yes, they recently pulled off a series win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but it's essential to note that the Dodgers' pitching staff has been ravaged by injuries. In the current National League landscape, the Cardinals would struggle mightily against powerhouses like the Mets, Phillies, and Dodgers in a postseason showdown. It remains to be seen how they'll fare against the Chicago Cubs, as the two teams have yet to square off this season. Offensively, St. Louis is 23rd in home runs and 24th in stolen bases, while ranking a pathetic 29th in the number of strikeouts thrown by their pitching staff. These glaring deficiencies cast doubts on their ability to stand strong in the postseason.
2. The Enticing Reward
With a host of expiring contracts, the Cardinals could potentially earn a substantial return on their investment. Players like Miles Mikolas, Erick Fedde, Phil Maton, Steven Matz, and Ryan Helsley come to mind. Although the value of some of these players might have dipped since the beginning of the season, there is no denying that the trade market isn't teeming with arms this season. The Cardinals could net a hefty haul of prospects for their MLB talent. Furthermore, this would maximize the returns on these players, as there is no guarantee they'll return next year. The future belongs to Chaim Bloom, and stockpiling prospects this season would give him the tools to cultivate a winning team for the foreseeable future. However, it'd be rash not to invest in developing these prospects for the immediate future as well.
3. The Cubs' Factor
Despite the Cardinals' promising start, they find themselves four games behind the Chicago Cubs. This is a problem. Despite the Cubs' unexpected surge, their momentum seems more likely to carry on than that of the Cardinals. As of now, the Cubs are fourteen games over .500.Not only are they achieving this remarkable record with a significantly depleted starting pitching rotation, but they're also operating under desperation. Their star, Kyle Tucker, will be a free agent after this season, and there's uncertainty about where he'll sign. The Cubs' eagerness to secure Tucker's future could make them aggressive buyers at the trade deadline, a move that the Cardinals might struggle to match. Given these factors, it appears that the Cardinals will find it challenging to capture the NL Central title.
If the choice comes down to standing pat or trading established players for potential future stars, I hope the Cardinals opt for the latter. Missing the playoffs once more might not sit well with the fans, but the future of the Cardinals lies in their next World Series triumph—not their next playoff appearance. Furthermore, the Cardinals would have another offseason to develop their existing prospects and potentially augment their roster with free agent signings. Trading these players will equip Chaim Bloom and the Cardinals with the resources to build a championship-winning team even more quickly.
The St. Louis Cardinals, with their offensively lacking performance in home runs, stolen bases, and strikeouts, might struggle when competing in the postseason against formidable teams such as the Mets, Phillies, and Dodgers, questioning their ability to win in a seven-game series (Sports, baseball, MLB).
Given the Cardinals' expiring contracts of players like Miles Mikolas, Erick Fedde, Phil Maton, Steven Matz, and Ryan Helsley, trading them could potentially earn a significant return of prospects, maximizing the team's investment in those players for long-term success (Sports, baseball, MLB).
