Inside The Cardinals

Blue Jays All-Star Reportedly Could Be Trade Target For Cardinals This Offseason

One intriguing Blue Jay All-Star reportedly could be a trade candidate for the Cardinals

Patrick McAvoy

Blue Jays All-Star Reportedly Could Be Trade Target For Cardinals This Offseason
Blue Jays All-Star Reportedly Could Be Trade Target For Cardinals This Offseason /
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The St. Louis Cardinals need to add starting pitching this offseason and will be looking all over the place for new arms. 

St. Louis has plenty of work to do. The Cardinals have money to spend in free agency and the prospect capital needed to get a trade done. St. Louis could end up making major changes this offseason. The Cardinals are looking for at least three starting pitchers and one surprise player who could be a trade candidate is Toronto Blue Jays hurler Alek Manoah, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold.

"The Blue Jays have a formidable one-two punch atop their rotation in Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios and each signed a nine-figure deal. Gausman can be a free agent after the 2026 season, and that is the same year Berrios can opt out. Chris Bassitt, a third starter, is signed through 2025. Not one of them gives off the vibe of trade candidate from a contender, even if they could command a significant bat in return.

"Alek Manoah, however, had a brutal season with a 5.87 ERA, some time in the minors, and a search for consistency. Only 25, the former first-round pick is a year removed from a top-three finish for the Cy Young Award, a 2.24 ERA, and an 8.2 K/9. Manoah would be intriguing. Ben Nicholson-Smith, a baseball writer for Sportsnet, recently speculated on a series of trades that would aid the Jays and he mused on a (Dylan Carlson)-for-Manoah deal."

Manoah had a disastrous 2023 season -- like the Cardinals -- but would be an interesting option to consider. He is 25 years old and compiled a 2.24 ERA in 2022 across 31 starts. He made his big league debut in 2021 and compiled a 3.22 ERA in 20 starts. He mightily struggled last season but certainly is a bounce-back candidate and maybe a change of scenery would help. 

St. Louis at least should consider the possible move.

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu