Cardinals Reportedly Still In Trade Discussions With AL West Club; Could Move Be Imminent?

Would a move make sense for the struggling Cardinals ahead of the trade deadline?

The St. Louis Cardinals could look very different shortly. 

The 2023 MLB Trade Deadline is set to pass on August 1 and the Cardinals are expected to be very busy ahead of time. St. Louis has been in trade rumors seemingly since Opening Day and that isn't slowing down anytime soon. The Cardinals are in last place in the National League Central at 36-51 and seem to be running out of time. 

Whether the Cardinals look to add at the deadline or sell off some of their veterans to add prospects, St. Louis is sure to make at least a few moves. One team that the Cardinals reportedly are in trade discussions with is the Seattle Mariners, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

"The Cardinals will listen to offers for their young position players in trades that would bring back controllable starting pitching," Morosi said. "They have spoken with the Mariners, but it’s already apparent that George Kirby is off limits in any such discussion."

St. Louis has been linked to the Mariners before this season in trade discussions and it seems as though the discussions are ongoing. Although it hasn't been announced who the Cardinals could be interested in trading for, it's expected that they are interested in adding young pitching and the Mariners have plenty. Kirby would be the top choice as he's pitched to a 3.09 ERA so far this season and is just 25 years old, but it sounds like he isn't going anywhere. 

Seattle has a handful of other young pitchers on team-friendly deals and 26 years old and younger in Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo. Gilbert and Miller both have ERAs under 4.00 and Woo isn't much higher at 4.08. Although more expensive, Seattle also does have veteran hurler Luis Castillo who has impressed this season with a 3.05 ERA. 

If the Mariners are looking to add young offensive players, the Cardinals have plenty to offer. Some players who have found their names in trade rumors this season are Tyler O'Neill, Tommy Edman, Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, and even 2022 National League Most Valuable Player Paul Goldschmidt. St. Louis also has plenty of solid prospects knocking on the big league door. If the Cardinals want to get a new pitcher and the Mariners are interested, a move certainly could happen ahead of the trade deadline. 

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