Cardinals Fan-Favorite Star Slugger Reportedly Could Be Traded Per Recent Speculation

Should the Cardinals consider trading one of its stars?

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals are going to have to make some very difficult decisions ahead of the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline.

Most expect the Cardinals to be buyers at the deadline and likely acquire a new starting pitcher. There are plenty of big names who reportedly will be available, plus some smaller-name players who also could be of big help to the club. 

Although this is the case and most likely outcome, St. Louis is seven games below .500 at 25-32 so it will have to make up some ground quickly. The Cardinals are just four and a half games behind the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers so it certainly is possible St. Louis could claw its way back up in the division, but if the club has another disastrous month like in April, maybe the club could end up being sellers ahead of the August 1 trade deadline.

If the Cardinals were to decide to offload some of their talent ahead of the trade deadline, one player that reportedly has drawn some interest although would be unlikely to be moved is 2022 National League Most Valuable Player Paul Goldschmidt, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. 

"The front-office officials are split on whether Jack Flaherty will be traded before the deadline; they don't expect Jordan Montgomery, who could get a qualifying offer, to go unless St. Louis simply bottoms out," Passan said. "And if that happens, one GM wondered, beyond the Cardinals making almost everyone available -- free-agent-to-be Jordan Hicks and Giovanny Gallegos and Ryan Helsley -- might the Cardinals consider moving reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt? With one year left on his contract, Goldschmidt would be a tremendous fit in the middle of any lineup -- though with a full no-trade clause, he would need to be on board with any deal for it to happen."

If the Cardinals were to deal Goldschmidt it would have to mean that the season was completely out of reach. A move of that magnitude certainly isn't likely, but after the rough start to the 2023 season, anything has to be considered if the club can't dig itself out of the hole it made. Goldschmidt is one of the best players in all of baseball and likely would bring in a massive haul for St. Louis, but a move can't be considered likely. 

St. Louis more likely than not will be buyers at the deadline and look into acquiring a new pitcher to help stabilize its rotation, but Cardinals fans will have to keep an eye out for everything.

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