MLB Insider Links Cardinals To NL West Club In Potential Win-Win Trade Opportunity

Should the Cardinals consider a deal with an NL rival?

The St. Louis Cardinals certainly will be busy as the MLB Trade Deadline approaches.

The 2023 trade deadline is scheduled for August 1 and there are sure to be plenty of rumors and movement ahead of time. St. Louis started off extremely slowly to begin the 2023 campaign but has turned things around of late and has looked more like the club many expected to see this season.

St. Louis may not have advanced to the World Series last season, but the club did win 93 games and many expected them to be in contention for the title this season. The Cardinals have plenty of star power and certainly have the offense to compete late in the season, but if the club wants to compete for a World Series title, they will need an upgrade in the starting rotation. 

Rumors have swirled all around about the club this season about potentially dealing an outfielder -- like Tyler O'Neill -- in a package for a starting pitcher. While that certainly still is in play, St. Louis also has some other interesting pieces that could be packaged together to help create a deal. One player that has been linked elsewhere in a potential deal that could make sense is shortstop Paul DeJong in a potential deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter. 

Los Angeles has had a black hole at shortstop this season and St. Louis seems to have a surplus at the position. The Cardinals have DeJong, Tommy Edman, and No. 2 prospect Masyn Winn seemingly is nearing a big league debut. DeJong is having a bounce back season and is slashing .289/.366/.627 to go along with eight home runs, and 18 RBIs in just 24 games. 

The Dodgers have plenty of pitching depth, so maybe the Cardinals could nab a starter for the right price. A package of DeJong, O'Neill, and multiple prospects could maybe get a deal done. There's no way for sure to know who the Dodgers would be willing to deal, but there's a chance that Julio Urias doesn't return next season as he's an unrestricted free agent. He may be a pipe dream, but Los Angeles also has other hurlers like Dustin May, Noah Syndergaard, or No. 4 prospect Gavin Stone who could be of interest. 

Los Angeles needs a shortstop and the Cardinals need another pitcher. Although both clubs are in the National League, they have something the other team needs. Maybe some deal could get done as we get closer to the trade deadline.

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