MLB Insider Suggests Major Shakeup Could Be Coming For Struggling Cardinals

Would it make sense for the Cardinals to deal one of their stars?

The St. Louis Cardinals may make a major trade or two ahead of the deadline, but fans may not be happy about it. 

St. Louis has struggled so far this season. The Cardinals currently have the worst record in the National League at 25-36 and have a long road ahead of them if they want to compete for a postseason spot in 2023. St. Louis currently is eight games behind the National League Central-leading Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Cardinals long have been rumored to be buyers ahead of the trade deadline, but if they don't turn things around quickly, they may end up being sellers. If St. Louis ends up giving up on the 2023 campaign and selling ahead of the deadline, one player who reportedly could make sense to move is 2022 National League Most Valuable Player Paul Goldschmidt, according to The Athletic's Andy McCullough.

"From the outside looking in, it would make sense for St. Louis to explore offers for Paul Goldschmidt, the reigning National League MVP, who is in the midst of another excellent season," McCullough said. "Goldschmidt has one more year left on his contract and continues to mash. He could fetch a haul in July. But would reduce the team's chances of competing in 2024 and demoralize an already frustrated fan base. Especially when, given the team's history and reputation of its farm system, this season feels like a fluke." 

While Goldschmidt more likely than not will remain with the Cardinals through the end of the 2023 campaign and beyond, his name likely will be floated around ahead of the trade deadline if St. Louis doesn't make up some ground in the standings. Goldschmidt arguably has been St. Louis' best player this season and is slashing .292/.390/.504 to go along with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs while leading the team with 2.3 wins above replacements. 

If a team were to somehow acquire Goldschmidt this season ahead of the deadline, it likely would take a king's ransom but he likely won't be on the move. St. Louis has said that it expects to add ahead of the deadline rather than subtract, but the club will need to start making up some ground in the very near future.

More MLB: Cardinals Reportedly May Trade These Three Young Players As Season Continues To Spiral