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

St. Louis is sure to be busy ahead of the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline

What should the St. Louis Cardinals do ahead of the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline?

Early on this season, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Cardinals would be buyers ahead of the trade deadline and likely acquire a new starting pitcher. The 2023 campaign hasn't gone as expected and St. Louis currently is in last place in the National League Central at a disappointing 31-44 and could end up being sellers. 

The next few weeks will determine what the Cardinals will do. St. Louis has started to turn a corner and has won four of its last six games, but the club has plenty of ground left to make up. If the club looks to add, one player who could be used and has been in trade rumors all season is two-time Gold Glove Award winner Tyler O'Neill. One surprising club that reportedly could be interested in acquiring O'Neill is the NL Central rival Milwaukee Brewers, according to FanSided's Robert Murray on the latest edition of "The Baseball Insiders" podcast. 

“One team that I’ve heard, and I’ve said on the podcast before that likes O’Neill is the Brewers,” said Murray. “Don’t necessarily know the likelihood there because that’s an in-division trade, of course.”

O'Neill has been in trade rumors seemingly all season so it's not too surprising that they are continuing, but a move within the division certainly seems unlikely. If the Cardinals add ahead of the deadline, it makes the most sense for them to add a starting pitcher. Milwaukee has been rumored to potentially deal ace Corbin Burnes, but a package with O'Neill and prospects likely wouldn't push the Brewers to deal a star like Burnes within the division. Plus, O'Neill hasn't taken the field with the Cardinals since May 4 so his trade value likely isn't high at the moment. 

There's still plenty of time until the August 1 trade deadline and there's sure to be plenty of rumors and O'Neill may be dealt, but he likely won't be playing for another NL Central club in 2023. 

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