Trade forecasts for St. Louis Cardinals on final trading day
In the heart of the 2025 baseball season, the Texas Rangers have shown a keen interest in bolstering their bullpen, with left-handed reliever Phil Maton emerging as a prime target. Maton, who has been traded three times in his career, has consistently delivered impressive performances, making him a valuable asset for playoff-contending teams.
Maton, currently with the Rangers, has a 2.35 ERA, 2.49 FIP, and 1.0 fWAR in 40 appearances this season. His strong pitching abilities are further underscored by a 30.4% strikeout rate, a 34.7% whiff rate (95th percentile), and a 19.9% swinging-strike rate. These numbers have caught the attention of the Rangers, who acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline.
The Rangers' interest in Maton reflects their focus on improving their bullpen as they compete for an AL Wild Card spot. In acquiring Maton, they parted with two top prospects and international bonus pool money, underscoring their commitment to his services.
Other teams, such as the Seattle Mariners, have also shown interest in left-handed relievers and bullpen upgrades. However, at present, the Rangers are the main active suitor for Maton.
The Cardinals, who are also in the midst of trade negotiations, could potentially hope for a similar return for Maton's services as the San Francisco Giants received for Tyler Rogers. Rogers, traded to the New York Mets, brought the Giants RHP José Buttó, RHP Blade Tidwell, and OF Drew Gilbert in return.
Maton, like Rogers, has been a highly impactful reliever, despite not relying on high velocity. He has pitched in the postseason every year since 2020, including being a major part of the Houston Astros' World Series championship in 2022.
The Cardinals still have multiple trade assets available, and Maton, who only makes $2 million this year, represents a financially viable acquisition for contending teams. Maton ranks among the best relievers in baseball in xERA, Barrel%, Hard-Hit%, Ground Ball%, and average exit velocity.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Cardinals are under pressure to complete their desired trades before the 5 pm CT deadline. The future of Maton, a two-time All-Star closer, remains uncertain, but one thing is clear - his strong performance and versatility have made him a coveted commodity in the baseball world.
The Texas Rangers' focus on improving their bullpen, as they vie for an AL Wild Card spot, has led them to consider left-handed reliever Phil Maton, whose impressive performances have made him a prime target and valuable asset for playoff-contending teams.
The Seattle Mariners, like the Rangers, are also interested in left-handed relievers and bullpen upgrades, yet the Rangers currently stand as the main active suitor for Maton's services.
