Cardinals Stud Reportedly Could Be Traded If St. Louis Doesn't Turn Things Around Quickly

St. Louis reportedly may deal one of its up-and-coming stars

The St. Louis Cardinals need to turn things around sooner rather than later.

St. Louis has made headlines this season for the club's inconsistent play. Many expected the Cardinals to compete for a World Series title this season but instead are in last place in the National League Central and are 12 games below .500. There's certainly still reason for hope and plenty of time left this season, but if the Cardinals don't start to show signs of life, the club may look different after the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline.

One player who reportedly could be on the move if the Cardinals don't turn things around quickly could be stud pitcher Jack Flaherty, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden.

"If the Cardinals don't start winning soon, they could dangle Flaherty, who will be a free agent after this season," Bowden said. "Given his injury history, they might not want to extend him." 

Flaherty was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft and has spent his entire professional career to this point as a member of the organization. The 27-year-old has dealt with a wide range of injuries throughout his young career, but when he's been healthy has shown the potential to develop into an All-Star. He has a career 3.49 ERA in seven years and finished fourth in National League Cy Young Award voting in 2019 after a stellar season that saw him pitch to a 2.75 ERA in 33 starts. In 2019, Flaherty tallied 231 strikeouts while walking just 51. 

The righty struggled to open the 2023 season but has turned things around as of late and pitched to a 2.06 ERA over his last six starts. Flaherty has tallied 36 strikeouts in 35 innings over his last six starts while holding opposing batters to a .234 batting average. If the Cardinals were to sell ahead of the deadline, Flaherty likely would bring in a solid haul for St. Louis. Hopefully, the Cardinals aren't pushed to the point where they need to sell ahead of the deadline, but if things don't turn around fast, it appears as though Flaherty's days with St. Louis may be numbered.

More MLB: Could Turnaround Be Coming? This Wild Stat Should Give Cardinals Fans Plenty Of Hope