MLB Insider Links Cardinals Star To NL East Club In Potential Blockbuster Deal Ahead Of Deadline

Should the Cardinals trade one of their biggest stars in a blockbuster?

The St. Louis Cardinals could end up dealing some of their stars if the season doesn't turn around quickly. 

St. Louis has without a doubt been a disappointment this season. The Cardinals currently are in last place in the National League Central at 31-44 and are nine games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds. There's still plenty of time left in the season and the NL Central has been one of the worst divisions in baseball so St. Louis could make up some ground, but if it can't turn things around quickly it likely will be sellers ahead of the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline. 

If the Cardinals were to become sellers one player who has had their names in trade talks recently is 2022 National League Most Valuable Player Paul Goldschmidt. If Goldschmidt were to be traded, he'd likely bring in a massive haul for St. Louis. One team that could be a match would be the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden. 

"The Phillies lost first baseman Rhys Hoskins and his 30-homer bat for the season when he suffered a torn ACL in spring training," Bowden said. "Their lineup can be potent but has struggled to hit for power. Alec Bohm has played both first and third base in Hoskins’ absence; reserves Kody Clemens and Edmundo Sosa have played some at first and third, respectively. The Phillies are patiently preparing Bryce Harper to play first base, once he and his surgically repaired elbow are ready to do so, but that might not be until around Aug. 1 (and could take longer) and it’s a scenario filled with unknowns.

"Adding Paul Goldschmidt to their lineup would be a game-changer for the Phillies (and obviously, would subsequently create a big hole in St. Louis’). In return, the Cardinals could ask for top prospect Andrew Painter, if his medicals don’t scare them, but Philadelphia would instantly reject that offer because the 20-year-old profiles as a future ace."

Goldschmidt unsurprisingly has been one of the Cardinals' most consistent players, even in a somewhat down year. The seven-time All-Star is slashing .287/.377/.493 to go along with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs. If the Cardinals decided to deal Goldschmidt, he could be the perfect piece to bring in a potential star pitcher. There's no way to know for sure what will happen but a trade of Goldschmidt still should be considered very unlikely. If the club doesn't start racking up some wins in the near future, though, a move could happen.

There are sure to be plenty more rumors ahead of the August 1 trade deadline.

More MLB: Rival Reportedly Interested In Cardinals Outfielder; Should St. Louis Consider Big Move?