Cardinals Reportedly Linked To Rising Star Who Could Be Traded This Upcoming Offseason

St. Louis could be in the market to acquire a rising star this upcoming offseason

The St. Louis Cardinals likely will be one of the most active teams in the starting pitching market this upcoming offseason. 

There's still plenty of time left this season and it's very early to take a look at the 2024 campaign, but the Cardinals already have turned their focus to next season after being sellers ahead of the trade deadline for the first time in years. St. Louis likely will have to fill three spots in the starting rotation so it wouldn't be too surprising to the club to be one of the most active this upcoming offseason. 

The free agent starting pitching market will be extremely deep, plus there are sure to be some intriguing hurlers traded, as well. One player that was in trade rumors ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline who could dealt be this upcoming offseason is Seattle Mariners hurler Logan Gibert and the Cardinals could be a fit, according to Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer.

"Though (Tyler Glasnow), (Dylan Cease), and (Corbin Burnes) are fine pitchers, they have an obvious shortcoming for would-be shoppers on the trade market: they have four more years of club control between them," Rymer said. "That's as many as Logan Gilbert has all on his own. The Mariners may not want to trade him for that precise reason, not to mention the fact he's really good. But if this winter proves to be anything like this summer, the interest will be out there. The Cardinals were reportedly interested in Gilbert, and so were the (Tampa Bay Rays)."

St. Louis already has shown interest in a trade for Gilbert so it wouldn't be too surprising to see the club reprise its interest this upcoming offseason. Gilbert is just 26 years old and already has two seasons with an ERA below 4.00 under his belt. Plus, Gilbert will be under team control until 2028. If St. Louis is serious about adding pitching, Gilbert would be a perfect candidate. The Cardinals restocked the farm system with their plethora of trade deadline moves and likely could meet the asking price of the Mariners. Seattle has a surplus of young pitching, so it wouldn't be too surprising for the club to deal Gilbert in exchange for some offensive talent. 

It's way too early to know for sure what St. Louis will do, but it will be looking for new starting pitching. If the Cardinals could acquire someone like Gilbert it would be an absolute win.

More MLB: Cardinals Rising Slugger Leads Minor Leagues In Home Runs