MLB Insider Names Seven Frontline Starters Cardinals Likely To Pursue Via Trade

St. Louis has a lot of options this summer

Scott Neville | Apr 17, 2023

MLB Insider Names Seven Frontline Starters Cardinals Likely To Pursue Via Trade /

In this story:

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals could use a notable hurler to bolster their starting staff -- fortunately, the trade market and eventual free-agent market is loaded with high-end pitching.

Moreover, St. Louis has the position player depth and farm system to put together a package that will rival any other Major League Baseball team this trade deadline or winter.

There are many directions the Cardinals could go according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden, who listed a bunch of scenarios St. Louis could pursue in order to bolster their club.

"The (Miami) Marlins are a good fit because they need lineup and outfield upgrades, and they have solid starting pitchers, from Edward Cabrera to Trevor Rogers to Braxton Garrett, they could dangle," Bowden wrote Monday."

"In terms of other starters, a lot depends on who’s in postseason contention and who’s not come July. If the (Chicago) Cubs fall out of the race, Marcus Stroman could become available because he has an opt-out after this season. Shohei Ohtani, despite the (Los Angeles) Angels’ denials, could be dealt if the Halos fall out of contention. Lucas Giolito could be an option if the (Chicago) White Sox fall too far behind. The (Detroit) Tigers will probably trade Eduardo Rodriguez because he, too, has an opt-out clause at the end of the year."

Bowden also mentioned a pair of Cy Young winners in their prime -- Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber and Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes. The former would make a lot of sense, but the ladder would get complicated as blockbuster inter-division trades are few and far between.

That info dump was a lot to process but provided plenty to think about. The Cardinals reportedly already attempted to trade Tyler O'Neill to the Marlins this winter, and Miami has three enticing starters seemingly available.

O'Neill is a 27-year-old with team control through 2024, above-average defense, power and speed. He's likely to be a part of whichever deal is completed. From there, St. Louis has a plethora of young outfielders, infielders and prospects to create an enticing package.

If they want to go for Ohtani, it'll likely cost both Major League players and top prospects.

Someone like Stroman could be acquired for much less but still provide a similar spark as Jordan Montgomery did a year ago.

More MLB: Cardinals' Tyler O'Neill Reportedly Could Be Packaged In Deal For Frontline Starter

Published Apr 17, 2023

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the St. Louis Cardinals for FanNation's "Inside The Cardinals" on Sports Illustrated. Before starting "Inside The Cardinals", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join FanNation and the Sports Illustrated Media Group as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." After a few months as the top Major League Baseball site in the program, Neville sought expansion and pitched "Inside The Cardinals," one of the newest additions to FanNation and the Sports Illustrated Media Group. The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Cardinals" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu